coolant temperature BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owners Manual

4. After you’ve used the coolant heater,k sure to store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Buick dealer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
’ A CAUTION:
I
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To.be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-23
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
h -
TEMP
One of these lights will come on to tell you that your
engine coolant has overheated or your radiator cooling
fans are not working.
If you have been operating your
,vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull
off the road, stop your vehicle and turn the engine
off as soon as possible. I
The section “Problems on the Road,” in this
manual explains what to
do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage (Option)
If’ you have the gage cluster,
you have a gage that shows
the engine coolant
temperature
in degrees
Fahrenheit. Canadian
instrument panels measure
the coolant temperature in
degrees Celsius.
-If the gage
pointer moves into the red
area, your engine is too hot!
That reading means ,the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating.your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
The section “Problems’ on the Road,” in
this
manual explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
2-74
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Change Oil Soon Light (Option)
CHANGE
OIL SOON
This light is activated by the
Engine Oil Life Monitor
System. The system
determines the condition of
the engine oil and lets you
know when the oil should be changed. (See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.)
It does this by using information about engine speed
(revolutions per minute), coolant temperature and
vehicle speed. The system uses this data to determine
how much the oil has degraded. When to
change your oil depends on driving habits and
conditions because these directly affect engine speed,
coolant temperature and vehicle speed. Because of this,
the CHANGE OIL SOON light may come
on as early as
2,000 miles or less for harsh conditions.
The CHANGE
OIL SOON light comes on for five
seconds as a bulb check each time the ignition key
is turned
to the RUN position. It will stay on for
60 seconds once 90% of the oil life has been used
and each time the engine is started after that.
If the
CHANGE
OIL SOON light is on continuously, there
is a problem with the Oil Life Monitor System and
service is required.
After changing the engine oil, the system should be
reset. This will cause the CHANGE
OIL SOON light to
be lit again for the bulb check period
of three seconds.
2-80
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Temperature Button
To adjust the comfort level you want maintained inside
the vehicle, push the TEMP button. If you want a
warrner comfort level, push the red arrow. If
you want a
cooler comfort level, push the blue arrow. Your comfort
setting is shown in the display.
Fan Button
The speed of the blower fan is controlled automatically
if you have the system set for AUTO. Pressing the
FAN button will display and hold the current blower fan setting.
If you want the blower fan to run at a lower speed, push
the bottom
of the FAN button. The fan speed will
decrease with every push
of the button until the lowest
speed is reached. If you want to increase the fan speed,
push the top of the FAN button. Notice the fan
indicators on the display.
Mode Controls
Press the AIR FLOW button to deliver air through the
floor, middle or windshield outlets. The system will stay
in the selected mode until the AUTO button is pushed.
Press the up arrow on the AIR FLOW button to cycle
through the available modes.
Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO button when you want the system to
automatically adjust to changes in the temperature inside
the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun load on
the vehicle. When the system is set for automatic
operation, air will come from the floor, middle or
windshield outlets depending on the temperature inside
the vehicle, the outside temperature and sun load. Fan
speed will vary as the system gets to and maintains the
comfort setting
you have selected through the use of the
TEMP button.
To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
AUTO mode and the TEMP button adjusted to a display
of 75°F
(24"C), give the vehicle about 20 minutes to
stabilize, and adjust your comfort setting if necessary, by
using the TEMP button. The display will show the
comfort setting for
a few seconds and then it will
display the outside temperature.
If you want to see your
current automatic fan speed, airflow direction and
comfort setting, press the AUTO button.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the
fan, to avoid blowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Pushing the FAN, AIR FLOW or
FRONT buttons will override this delay, turn off the
AUTO setting and change the fan speed.
3-4
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Engine Overheating
You will find a warning light about a hot engine on your
Buick instrument panel and
if you have the optional
gage cluster, a coolant temperature gage. You
will also
find a LOW COOLANT warning light.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You or
others could be
badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
,
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
5-12
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ovel-fill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
dipstick hole to
bring it to the proper level.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
9 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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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.
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Electrical Equipment. Adding ............... 3.30. 6.57
Electrical System
............................... 6-57
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-5 1
Electronic Level Control ......................... 4-30
Electronic Touch Climate Control
................... 3- 1
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Accessory Belt
.......................... 6.67. 6.68
Coolant
..................................... 6-23
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-22
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-38
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-74
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 2-74
Exhaust
..................................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-38
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-65
Starting
..................................... 2-21
Engineoil
.................................... 6- 12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Supercharged
................................ 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking
................................... 6-13
LifeMonitor
................................. 2-80
Pressure Light/Gage
........................... 2-78
Used
....................................... 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Entry Lighting. Delayed
.......................... 2-47
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31 Exit Lighting. Delayed
........................... 2-47
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-33
Express-Open Sunroof
........................... 2-63
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-48
Fan Control. Climate Control System
........ 3.2.3.4. 3.5
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-64
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-43
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Storage Armrest ........................... 2-59
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-4
DoorLock
................................... 6-6
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-82
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-58
.. ...........................
9-4
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Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-74
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-78
Fuel
....................................... 2-82
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-56
GAWR
....................................... 4-29
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-23
GloveBox
.................................... 2-55
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
Guide en Franqais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-34
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-43
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-34
High/'Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-36
On Reminder
................................ 2-44
Wiring
..................................... 6-57
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heated Outside Mirror ........................... 2-55
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-3
Heating
........................................ 3-7
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Switch
................................ 2-20
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-40
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-50
Inspections
Brakesystem
................................ 7-42
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-42
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-42
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-42
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-42
Illuminated
Entry
............................... 2-47
Steering
.................................... 7-42
Suspension
.................................. 7-42
Throttle Linkage
......................... ... ... 7-42
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-64
Brightness Control
............................ 2-46
Cluster
................................ 2-66, 2-67
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-59
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-46
Cleaning
.................................... 6-50
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-24
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
.
....
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Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-39
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-21
Keyless Entry System. Remote
Instant Alarm
................................. 2-8
Personal Choice
............................... 2-8
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Certificationflire
............................. 4-28
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-56
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-56
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Courtesy
.................................... 2-47
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Monitor System
.............................. 2-45
OnReminder
................................ 2-44
Perimeter Lighting
............................ 2-48
TheaterDimming
............................. 2-47
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-29
License Plate Holder
............................ 2-63
Light Sensor. Twilight Sentinel
.................... 2-46
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-61 .
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1 - 18. 2-70
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-72.4-6
Battery Warning
.............................. 2-70 Brake System Warning
......................... 2-71
ChangeOilSoon
............................. 2-80
CheckEngine
................................ 2-75
DoorAjar
................................... 2-81
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 2-74
Engine Oil Pressure Light/Gage
................. 2-78
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-75
LowFuel
................................... 2-82
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 2-79
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-6, 2-69
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2-73, 4-8
TrunkAjar .................................. 2-81
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Locks Cylinders
................................... 7-39
Door
........................................ 2-3
FuelDoor
.................................... 6-6
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-39
Lockout Protection
............................. 2-7
Memory Door
................................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-40
Trunk
...................................... 2-13
Window
.................................... 2-33
Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-75
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-82
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-43
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-39
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