wheel BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997 Workshop Manual

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.
When It’s Time for New Tires
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.)
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
0 You can see the indicators at three or more places
0 You can see cord or fabric showing through the
around
the tire.
tire’s rubber.
0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord
or fabric.
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
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0 The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow). If you
ever replace your tires with those not having
a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
-
/i CAU; ;ON:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and
you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
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Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Buick dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
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Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Buick model.
I
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have
a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for
replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
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Tire Chains
I NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Buick, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Buick garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels
is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface. You may use chrome polish
on
chrome wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the
wheel, and buff off immediately after application.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
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Tires Sheet Metal Damage
To clean your tires, use a
stiff brush with a tire cleaner. If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
NOTICE: replaced to restore corrosion protection.
I When applying a tire dressing always take care to I Finish Damage
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up paint finish.
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense. Petroleum-based products may damage the
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
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Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER SIZE DESCRIPTION USAGE
994954 23 in. x 25 in. Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated
Exterior Polish
1050004 2.75
sq. ft. Chamois Shines vehicle without scratching
1050 172 16
oz. (0.473 L)
Tar and Road Oil Remover Also removes old waxes and polishes
1050173 16
02. (0.473 L) Chrome Cleaner and Polish
Removes rust and corrosion
1050 174 16
oz. (0.473 L) White Sidewall Tire Cleaner
Removes soil and black marks
1050200 1 gal. (3.785
L) Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
'Exterior cleaner and polish
-
1050214 32 oz. (0.946 L) Vinyl Cleaner
Spot and stain removal
1050427 23
oz. (0.680 L) Glass Cleaner Cleans grease, grime and smoke film
1052870 16
02. (0.473 L) Wash and Wax Concentrate
Exterior wash
1052918"" 8
oz. (0.237 L) Armor All Rvl Protector Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
1052925 16
02. (0.473 L) Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
Cleans vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
1052929 16
oz. (0.473 L) Wheel Cleaner
Spray on wheel cleaner
I 1052930 I 8 oz. (0.237 L) I Capture Dry Spot Remover I Attracts and absorbs soils
12345002"" 16
02. (0.473 L) Armor All Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725 12
oz. (0.354 L) Silicone Tire Shine Shines tires
12377964 16
oz. (0.473 L) Cleaning Wax Protects finish and removes fine scratches
12377966
I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I I Spot cleans paint and gives high luster
Finish Enhancer
See your General Motors
Parts Department for these products. **Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See "Fluids and Lubricants" in the Index.
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Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer to “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for more information.
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 (10.4 L)
Cooling System ............................................................. 13 quarts (12.3 L)
Oil change with filter change ................................................... 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)
Park Avenue Ultra
............................................................ 19 gallons (72 L)
Engine Crankcase
FuelTank
......................,...........................................18gall\
ons (68L)
Power Steering
PumpOnly .....................................................................lpi\
nt (0.5L)
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.
WheelNutTorque ........................................................ lOOlb-ft(140N~m)
Complete System
............................................................ 1
1/2 pints (0.7 L)
Refrigerant (R-l34a), 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.
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Vehicle Dimensions
Overall
Length ................. 206.8 inches (525.3 cm)
Width
................... 74.7 inches ( 189.7 cm)
Height
................... 58.1 inches (147.6 cm)
Wheelbase
.............. 113.8 inches (289.1 cm)
Front Tread
............... 62.7 inches (159.3 cm)
Rear Tread
............... 62.3 inches ( 15 8.2 cm)
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element .......... AC Type A- 1096C
Engine Oil Filter
................ AC Type PF-47
Fuel Filter
.................... AC Type GF-627
Spark Plugs
................... AC Type 41-921
Gap: 0.060 inch
(. 152 cm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type
............................ Hook Style
Length
..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Engine Accessory Belt (L36)
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.
A
C
A. Power Steering
B. Generator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
F. Tensioner
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