engine BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Manual Online

NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. What
to Use
Use a mixture of one-half
clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
ProCarManuals.com

‘ A CAUTICY:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
,can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehi.cle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire
and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50150 mix-of clean
water and
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
-
NOTICE:
If you use .an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
~~
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
6-25
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

nrning the radiator pressure cap when the engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding
liquids to blow out and burn
you badly. With the
coolant recovery tank, you
will almost never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the
radiator pressure cap
-- even a little -- when the
engine
and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator pressure cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system.
The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Brake Fluid
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
There are only
two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. ,The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
1 lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
I goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake !
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See “Brake
System
Warning Light” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

What to Add When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean
the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
A CAU”’3N:
With the wrong kind of‘fluid.in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
I NOTICE:
0
I
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
I 6-31
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
SAMPLE4UXTM072675 P
This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can
see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the spare tire cover. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
the model designation,
0 paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label
is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
ProCarManuals.com

POSl?lONS
r---------? I FUSE I I POSITIONS I
Position Circuitry
1
2
9
10
11
12
Door Locks, Trunk Pull-Down,
Fuel Door Release
Power Antenna, Lock Switch,
Trunk Release
Horns
Not Used Cruise Control, Misc. Engine
Controls
Fuel
F’ump
Injectors
Powertrain Control Module,
PASS-Key@II
Not Used
Not Used
A/C Programmer
Not Used
6-62
ProCarManuals.com

BULB
Replacement Bulbs
EXTERIOR
Headlamp High-Beam
........................... 9005
Low-Beam
........................... 9006
Parkmum
............................ 2057NA
Parking ............................... 194NA
Sidemarker. Front
..................... 194NA
Back-up
.............................. 3156
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
........... 1156
License
................................. 194
Sidemarker. Rear
.......................... 24
Tail
.................................... 194
Tail/Stop/Turn
.......................... 3057
Cornering
.............................. 1 156
INTERIOR BULB
Ashtray ................................. 161
Domemeading. Front
...................... 563
Reading. Rear
......................... A3 173B
Door Warning
.......................... PC 168
Engine Compartment
...................... 561
Footwell Courtesy
........................ 168
GloveBox
.............................. 194
Luggage Compartment
................... 2 11 -2
Vanity Mirror. Front ...................... 7065
Vanity Mirror. Rear
....................... 564
Frontmear
Door Courtesy ................ PC168
Rear Overhead
........................... 563
ProCarManuals.com