torque BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owners Manual

In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and
other military hardware. This post-war period brought
great styling and engineering changes which resulted in
increased sales. The torque converter automatic
transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the 1948
Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along
in 1949.
1949 Roadmaster
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A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in 1953.
And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille,
(introduced in
1942)’ became more massive in the
post-war
era.
I953 Skylark
Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
“Car
of the Year.” The first production V-6 engine was
used
in the Special.
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Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find
it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)”
in the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
befure you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the
pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can
I
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. Open and close the driver’s
door to turn off the Retained Accessory Power
feature (if equipped).
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
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11. In a crisscross sequence;
tighten the wheel
nuts firmly.
A CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to 100’lb-ft
(140 N-m).
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification.
Don’t
try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover
in the trunk until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
5-31
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How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool two to three hours after running.
r
I
If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while
the engine is hot, pressure may cause hot oil to
blow out of the oil fill hole. You may be burned.
Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
1. Remove the wiring harness shield.
2. Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing
it.
3. Remove the oil fill plug using a 3/16 Allen wrench.
4. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom
of the threads of the inspection hole.
5. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place. Torque
to
88 lb-in (10 N-m).
6. Replace wiring harness shield.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
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Brake Wear
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go
or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Tire Inspection and Rotation ,
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear.
If unusual wear is present, rotate yourtires as soon as
possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s The for New
Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information. When
rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that
all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
in the Index.
I I
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for
all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
A CAUTION:
I
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it
is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust
or dirt off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
6-41
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Capacities and Specifications
Belt Tensions
Automatically controlled by a Self-Tension idler pulley. Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Automatic Transaxle AT (Overdrive)
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement
............................................ 6 quarts (5.6 L)
After Complete Overhaul .............................................. 11 quarts (1 0.4 L)
Cooling System ..................................................... 13 quarts (12.3 L)
Oil change with filter change ........................................... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Engine Crankcase
FuelTank
........................................................... 18gallons(68L)
Power Steering
Pump Only ............................................................. 1 pint (0.5 L)
Complete System .................................................... 1 1/2 pints (0.7 L)
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........................... The Tire-Loading Information label, which is
located on the rear edge of the driver’s door,
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires.
Wheel Nut Torque ................................................. 100 lb-ft (140 N-rn)
Windshield Wiper Blades (6.32 Pin Type) ............................. 22 inches (565 mm)
Refrigerant (R=134a), Air Conditioning ............ See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended
in this manual.
6-64
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I t.
I 1
Chains ..................................... 6-46
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
. Compact Spare ............................... 5-34
Inflation
.................................... 6-40
. Inflation Check ............................... 7-38
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-41
Loading
.................................... 4-28
Pressure
...................................... 6-40
Temperature
................................. 6-44
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwear
.................................... 6-43
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-43
Wear Indicators
............................... 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-42
TorqueLock
.................................... 2-30
Torque, Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-31, 6-64
Towing
8 Trailer ................................ 4-30
Towing Your Vehicle
.............................. 5-7
Traction
Control System
................................ 4-8
Control System Wasrning Light
.............. 2-73, 4-8
Brakes
.'.................................... 4-34
DrivingonGrades
............................ 4-36
Drivingwith
................................. 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-37
TopStrap
...................................... 1-34
Trailer Hitches
..................................... 4-33 Parking
on
Hills .............................. 4-36
Safety Chains
................................ 4-34
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-36
Weight
...................................... 4-32
Transaxle Fluid .Automatic
.........?......................... 6-20
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-7
Transportation, Courtesy
........ .I ................. 8-5
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-68
TrUnk AjarLight
................................... 2-81
Automatic Pull-Down Feature
................... 2-15
Release, Remote
.............................. 2-13
Towing
..................................... 4-30
Lock
....................................... 2-13
SecurityOverride
.............................. 2-14
TrUnkLamp
................................... 2-50
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............. 2-35
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-36
Turn SignalNultifunction Lever
................... 2-34
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-36
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-46
. underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-41
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-54
l Universal Theft-Deterrent System .................. 2-16
.. ~~ i %ll ..
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Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings ................................ ix
Dimensions ................................. 6-66
Loading .................................... 4-28
Storage ...................................... 6-33
Identification Number ......................... 6-56
Ventilation System ............................... 3-7
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-62
Visors, Sun .................................... 2-62
Voltage Indicator ................................ 2-7 1
warning Devices ........................... 5.1. 5.2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ................ 2-69
Washer Fluid. Windshield ........................ 6-29
Washing Your Vehicle .. : ........................ 6-52
Weatherstrips ................................... 6-52
Wheel
Alignment
.................................. 6-44
LockKey ................................... 5-25
Replacement ............................... : .. 6-45
Nut Torque ............................. 5-31, 6-64
Wrench ..................................... 5-23
Express-Down ............................... 2-33
Fluid ................................... 2-38, 6-29
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-38
Windshield Wiper ............................... 2-37
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-38
Winter Driving ................................. 4-24
Wiring, Headlamp ............................... 6-57
WindowLock .................................. 2-33
Windows ..................................... 2-33
Power ...................................... 2-33
Windshield Washer ............................. 2-38
Fuses ....................................... 6-57
WreckerTowing ................................. 5-7
Wrench ,Wheel ................................. 5-24
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