torque BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997 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
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.
vi
ProCarManuals.com

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) before 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 parking pawl in 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’t
shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. Open and close the driver’s
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
door to turn off the retained accessory power feature.
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.
2-30
ProCarManuals.com

9. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
10. Using the wheel
wrench, tighten the
wheel nuts firmly
in a crisscross
sequence.
A CAUTION:
- - I
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 Nom).
5-29
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
L!b, CAUTION: I
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In
a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need
to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
5-30
~
ProCarManuals.com

Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically
qualified and have the
proper tools, you should let
your dealer or a qualified
service center perform
this maintenance.
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.
A CAUTION:
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.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
and use only the recommended oil.
2.
3.
4.
Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
Remove the oil fill plug using a 3/16 inch
Allen wrench.
The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads
of the inspection hole.
Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place. Torque
to
88 lb-in (10 Nem).
6-20
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
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.
See “Brake System Inspection’’ in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”.
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.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts.
If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com

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.
6-51
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

!
Tires (Continued)
Traction
.................................... 6-53
Treadwear
................................... 6-53
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-53
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-5 1
Wheel Replacement ........................... 6-54
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-5 1
Top Strap
..................................... 1-36
Torque. Wheel Nut
......................... 5-29. 6-76
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-32
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7
Traction
Control System
................................ 4-9
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2.76. 4.9
Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-38
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parkingonfills
.............................. 4-38
Safety Chains
................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-35
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Transaxle Fluid. Automatic
....................... 6-21
Transmitters. Matching to Your Vehicle
............. 2- 12
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Trailer Transmitters.
Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-8
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-72
Trunk Accesspanel
................................ 2-61
LockRelease
................................ 2-14
Lockout. Remote Release
...................... 2-14
Release. Remote
.............................. 2-14
Security Override
............................. 2-14
TrunkLamp
................................... 2-49
Trunk Mounted CD Changer
...................... 3-27
TTY Users
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............. 2-35
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-36
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-34
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-46
Underbody Flushing Service
..................... 7-42
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-64
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-64
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-6
Dimensions
................................. 6-78
Identification Number
......................... 6-66
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Storage
..................................... 6-34
Damage Warnings
.............................. ix
9-12
ProCarManuals.com

Ventilation System ............................... 3-6
Visor Vanity Mirror. Illuminated
................... 2-62
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-62
Voltage Indicator
............................... 2-74
warning Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators
............... 2-73
Warranty Information
............................. 8-8
Washer Fluid. Windshield
........................ 6-29
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-61
Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-60
Wheel Alignment
.................................. 6-54
Nut Torque
............................. 5-29, 6-76
Replacement
................................. 6-54
Wrench
..................................... 5-24
WindowLock
.................................. 2-33 Windows
..................................... 2-33
Express-Down
............................... 2-33
Power
...................................... 2-33
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-39
Fluid
.................................. 2-39, 6-29
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-39
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-37
Bladecleaning
............................... 6-60
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-46
Windshield Wipers, Rain Sense
.................... 2-38
Winter Driving
................................. 4-26
Wiper Blade Check
............................. 7-40
Wiper Blades, Cleaning
.......................... 6-60
WreckerTowing
................................. 5-7
Wrench, Wheel
................................. 5-24
9-13
ProCarManuals.com