coolant temperature BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997 Owners Manual

To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and 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
lund
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.
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The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
e
0
e
If you turn the system off by pressing the button
located on the end of the shift lever, the warning
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning light
should go
off. (See “Traction Control System” in
the Index for more information.)
If there’s a brake system problem that
is specifically
related
to traction control, the traction control system
will turn
off, the warning light will come on and the
chime will sound.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine related problem, the system will turn off,
the warning light will come on and the chime
will sound.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period
of time when the
system
is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
TEMPERATURE
This gage measures the
temperature of your engine.
If the pointer moves into the
red area, your engine is too
hot.
A temperature indicator
light will turn on and a
chime will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions and the temperature indicator light
turns on, 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.
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To clean the HUD lens, spray household glass cleaner
on a soft, clean cloth. Gently wipe
and dry the HUD
lens. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens to avoid
cleaner leaking inside the unit.
If the ignition is on and you can’t see the HUD image,
check to see
if
The headlamps are on.
Something is covering the HUD unit.
The HUD dimmer control is adjusted properly.
The HUD image is adjusted to the proper height.
A fuse is blown. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index.
Keep in mind that your windshield is part of the HUD
system. If you ever have to have your windshield
replaced, be sure to get one that is designed for HUD or
your HUD image may look blurred or out of focus.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
Your Park Avenue may be equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC). The DIC will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning,
as well as warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The
following buttons
are
on the DIC control panel
which
is located to the left
of the steering column:
ODOKRIP: Use this button to display your total and
trip miles.
FUEL INFO: Press this button to display fuel
information such as, fuel used, fuel range and fuel
economy.
GAGE INFO: Use this button to display oil pressure,
oil life, coolant temperature, tire pressure and battery
information.
RESET: This button, used along with other buttons,
will reset system functions.
ENGMET: Use this button to change the display
between English and metric units.
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Coolant Temperature: Press the GAGES button until
COOLANT TEMP appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the temperature, COOLANT
TEMP NORMAL will appear
in the display. If the
temperature is too high, COOLANT TEMP HOT will
appear in the display. If you see the COOLANT TEMP
HOT message, your engine is overheated. You should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off your
engine as soon as possible. This manual explains what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Battery Volts: Press the GAGES button until the
display shows BATTERY STATE.
If the voltage is
normal the display will show BATTERY STATE
NORMAL.
If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the
display will show BATTERY STATE LOW. If the
voltage is above
16 volts, the display will show
BATTERY STATE HIGH. If the display shows the high
or low message, you need to have your battery checked.
Oil Life Index: Press the GAGES button until OIL
LIFE INDEX appears in the display. The OIL LIFE
INDEX NORMAL display will show an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. When the oil life index
is less than
lo%, the display will show OIL LIFE INDEX CHANGE
OIL. When you have the oil
changed according to the maintenance schedule (see
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index), you will have
to reset the oil life index. To do this, press and hold the
RESET button for more than five seconds while the oil
life index is being displayed on the DIC. The oil life
will change to
100%.
Tire Pressure Status: Press the GAGES button
until TIRE PRESSURE appears in the display.
TIRE
PRESSURE NORMAL is displayed when the Check
Tire Pressure System believes your vehicle’s tire
pressures are normal. If a potential tire pressure
problem is detected, the display will show TIRE
PRESSURE LOW: CHECK TIRES.
If you see the
TIRE PRESSURE LOW: CHECK TIRES message, you
should stop as soon as you can and check all your tires
for damage. (If a tire is flat, see “If a Tire Goes Flat”
in
the Index.) Also check the tire pressure in all four tires
as soon as you can. See “Inflation
- Tire Pressure” and
“Check Tire Pressure System”
in the Index.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. See “Check Tire
Pressure System” in the Index.
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To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
AUTO mode and the
TEMP button adjusted to a display
of
75 OF (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, fan speed and airflow direction for a few
seconds, and then it will display the outside temperature.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning the fan on
high, 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.
Manual Operation
You may also manually adjust the air delivery or fan speed.
AIR FLOW This button is used to change the direction
of the aifflow. The airflow choices available are FLOOR,
FLOOR-MID,
MID and WINDSHIELD-FLOOR. If the
system is set
for AUTO, pressing the AIR FLOW button
will display the current airflow direction, the comfort
setting and the fan speed. Press the AIR FLOW up or
down button again
to change the direction of the airflow.
If the AIR FLOW up button is selected while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the air
toward the mid-position.
If the AIR FLOW down button is
selected while
in the FRONT defrost mode, the system
will direct the air toward the
FLOOR, and the FRONT
defrost mode will cancel. Notice the arrows in the display.
OFF: If the passenger comfort control is turned on, it
can be turned
off by pressing the OFF button once.
Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn
off the
main system. Turning
off the main system causes the fan
to turn off and the airflow to be directed to the FLOOR.
The system will still try to keep the interior of the
vehicle at the previous chosen comfort setting. The
outside temperature will show on the display when the
system is off.
The ventilation system always allows fresh air to flow
through your Buick when the vehicle is moving even
with the system in the OFF mode.
VENT: The VENT button allows outside air to flow
through your Buick without the air conditioning
compressor working. Selecting VENT and the AUTO
button at the same time allows the system to control
automatically without
the use of the air conditioning
compressor or the
use of the RECIRC mode. To turn
off the VENT selection, push the VENT button again.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a warning light about a hot engine, as well
as a coolant temperature gage,
on your Buick instrument
panel.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
Driver Information Center, an Engine Coolant Low
warning will appear
on the display.
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 you
open 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.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
2
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 DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL 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. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not.
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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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.
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 generator and behind the
accessory drive belt on the driver’s side toward the rear
of the engine.
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DriverPosition ................................. 1-13
Driving City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
In the Rain
.................................. 4- 18
Night
...................................... 4-16
On Curves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-38
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-2
Electrical Equipment, Adding
.......... 2-22,3-33, 6-67
Electrical System
............................... 6-67
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-50
With Compass ............................... 2-51
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-32
Engine
....................................... 6-11
Accessory Belt
.......................... 6-78, 6-79
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-22 Coolant
Level Check
.......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-77
Exhaust
................. 2.15.2.31.2.32. 4 .29. 4.35
Identification
................................ 6-66
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-39
OilLifeIndex
................................ 2-87
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Specifications
................................ 6-65
Starting
..................................... 2-21
Supercharged
................................ 6-12
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking
................................... 6-13
Pressure Light
............................... 2-80
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Entry Lighting, Delayed
.......................... 2-46
Exhaust, Engine
................. 2-15,2-31,2-32, 4-35
Exit Lighting, Delayed
........................... 2-47
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-33
Express-Open Astroroof
......................... 2-64
Fabric Cleaning
.......................... 6-57, 6-58
Fan Control, Climate Control System
................ 3-3
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-6
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-17
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6-16
Filter, Passenger Compartment Air
.................. 3-7
Running
While Parked
......................... 2-32
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Finishcare .................................... 6-61
Finish Damage
................................. 6-63
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass Feature
........................... 2-36
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-76
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-44
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual
11
Front Center Console ............................ 2-60
Front Storage Armrest
........................... 2-59
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-4
DoorLock
................................... 6-7
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-6
Gage
....................................... 2-81
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-68
Rear
....................................... 6-72
Underhood
.................................. 6-70
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-68
.. ...........................
Fuse Block
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-77
Fuel
....................................... 2-81
Garage Door Opener ....................... 2-56, 2-64
GAWR
....................................... 4-31 Gear
Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-23
GloveBox
.................................... 2-55
GloveBoxLamp
............................... 2-49
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
Guide en FranGais
-11
GVWR ......... ....................... 4-31
.. ................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-34
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-7
Headlamps
.................................... 2-44
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-35
OnReminder
................................ 2-44
Head-Up Display
............................... 2-82
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heated Backlite Antenna
......................... 3-35
Heated Outside Mirror
........................... 2-55
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-5
Heating
........................................ 3-5
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
.Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-9
Release
...................................... 6-9
Horn
......................................... 2-34
Aiming
..................................... 6-38
High/Low Beamchanger
...................... 2-36
9-5
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