check engine BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owner's Guide

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is located at the left of the
engine compartment.
When your engine is cold, the coolant 'level should be
at
F'ULL COLD or a little higher. When your engine
is warm, the level should be up to F'ULL HOT or a
little higher.
COOLANT
LOW
- If this light comes on, it
means you're low on
engine coolant.
-
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant
recovery tank.
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Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired. The
power steering fluid reservoir on the L36 and L67
engine is located below the alternator and behind the
accessory drive belt on the driver’s side toward the rear
of the engine.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
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Engine Accessory Belt (L36)
C
I
A. Power Steering
B. Alternator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
E Tensioner
The
3800 (L36) engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for
when
to check the belt.
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mharged Engine Accessory Belt (L67)
F
1. Front Belt
2. Back Belt A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
Alternator
Power Steering
Crank
Supercharger
Coolant Pump
Air Conditioning
The Supercharged
3800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator, power steering
pump, coolant pump and air conditioning compressor.
The second belt drives the supercharger. Each belt has
its own tensioner and idler pulley. See “Maintenance
Schedule” in the Index for when
to check the accessory
drive belts and supercharger oil level. Have your dealer
check the
oil level in the supercharger.
6-68
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most. trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonel:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or 6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles (20
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check
(or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first) (3.8L Code
1 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to.follow the complete m.aintenance schedule on
the 7-4
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Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of th,
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule
is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine
oil to break
down slower.
dvery 7,500 Miles (12 500 h): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles (25
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every
36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code
1 engine only). Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-5
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I
I 1
I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
t
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage,
transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides
and the underbody contact points and linkage (or
every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
During .tire rotation,
check brake calipers for fieedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate
GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
.. , 7-7
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Corztrol Service. *
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
I 18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs fist).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage,
transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides
and the underbody contact points and linkage (or
every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in
the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for freedom
of movement.
Refer
to the appropriate GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
~ I -
~~ 7-9
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
30,000 Miles (50 000 km) (Continued)
Ll For Supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add oil as needed
(or every
36 months, whichever occurs
first). See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in this section.
An Emission Control Service. 3-
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom of movement. Refer to the
appropriate’
GM service: manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
L
7-12
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,‘
0 Change’engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
transaxle shift linkage, parking brake cable guides
and the underbody contact points and linkage (or
every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires., See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for fkeedom
of movement.
Refer to the appropriate
GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
*
Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage,
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
415,01EO.Mi4es .. (75 OOO’km)
0 Change engine oil ,md filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary. An Emission Control Service. 3-
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
,.
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