check oil BUICK PARK AVENUE 1998 Owners Manual

Fuel Range: Press the FUEL button until the display
shows
FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will calculate the
remaining distance you can chive without refueling. This
calculation is based on the average fuel economy for the
last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven, and the fuel remaining
in the fuel
tank. The RESET button does not function in
this mode.
Fuel Used: Press the mTEk button until the display
shows
IFCTIEL USED. This display will show you how
much fuel has been used since the last reset.
TQ learn
how much fuel is used from a new starting point, press
the RESET button while the fbel used is displayed
-h
the DIC.
Oil Pressure: Press the GAGES button until OIL
PRESSURE appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the oil pressure, the display
will
show OIL PRESSURE NORMAL. If a low oil pressure
condition is detected, the display
will show OIL
PRESSURE LOW. If you see the OIL PRESSURE
LOW message, you could be low on oil or your oil is
not going through the engine properly. See your dealer
for service.
Coolant Temperature: Press the GAGES button until
COOLANT TEMB appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the temperature, C~C&4NI’
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 STAm.
If the voltage is
normal the display will show BATTERY STATE
NORMAE. If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the
display will show
BATTERY STAm 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.
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Oil Life Monitor (Index): Psess the GAGES button
until OIL LIFE INDEX appears in the display. The OIL
LEE INDEX NORMAL display will show an estimate
of the oil’s remaining useful Me. When the oil life index
is less
than IO%, 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 We monitor.
To do this, press and hold the
RESET’
button for more than five seconds while the oil
life index
is being displayed on the DPC. The oil life will
change to
100%.
Tire Psessure Status: Press the GAGES button until
‘FWE IPWSSUWE appears in the display. TWE
PRESSUWE NORMAL is displayed when the Check
Tire Pressure System believes your ve~cle’s tire
pressures are normal. If a potential tire pressure problem
is detected, the display will show gIRE PRESSURE
LOW CHECK TIRES. If you see the azRE
PRESSURE LOW: CHECK TIRES message, you
should
st~p 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. mere
are
times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the
Check Tire Pressure System. See “Check Tire
Pressure System” in
the Index.
jJ&m&qgs sj& &ssag@j
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DE
display such as:
0 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW
ENG COOLANT LOW - CHECK LEVEL
ENGINE OIL LOW - CHECK LEVEL
0 CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
0 TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE
0 DOOR AJAR
0 TRUNKAJAR
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove the
above messages or warnings
from the DIC display.
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@ I4o not get too ciose to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
fblhwing too closely reduces YQUP area of visiorn,
cspecidly if you’re following a larger vehide. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows cx stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
8 When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don‘t
get too close. Time YOUF move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane.
If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance
you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancef your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars =e lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your
turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass YOU as you pull out +LO pass the slow vehicle.
Remember
to glance over your shoulder and check
the
blind spot.
8 Check your minors, giance over your shoulder, and
start your left Bane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you =e far enough
ahead
of the passed vehicle BO see its front in your
inside
minor, activate your right lafie change signal
2nd move back into the right laze. (Remember that
your
right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle YSU
just passed may seem to be f~ther away from you
than it really is.)
@ Don’t overtake a sEowIy moving vehdcIe too rapidly.
Even
though the br&e lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
@ If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
foilowing driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a littie to the right.
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6-2
6- 3
4-9
6-12
4-17
6- 19
4-20
6-23
5-27
6-28
6-29
4-32
6-33
6-45
6-46
Service
Fuel
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Supercharger
Oil
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Radiator Bressure Cap
VVindskieTd Washes Fluid
Br&es
3 attery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires Appearance
Care
Cleaning the Inside QE Y(.w VehicEe
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle
Underbody Maintenance
Chemical
Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle icientifkation Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Re€rigerants
Engine Specifications
Vehicle Dimensions
Normal Maintenance Replacement 'Parts
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Fuels iB Foreign c@n&+@s
If yon plan on driving in another country outside the
United States
or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never ease Headed gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on &el. Costly repairs
caused
by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your
wappanty.
To check on fuel availability, ask ann auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going ad give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa,
Ontario LIH 8P7
The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver’s side of
your vehicle.
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Your vehicle may have 2 3800 Sqercharged engine.
Supercharging, rather
than turbocharging, emphasizes
smooth, refined power.
The supercharger is a device which is designed to pump
more ais into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel creates increased engine power.
Since the supercharger
is a pump and is driven from an
engine
accessory drive belt, iwreased pressure is
available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light tfarsttIe cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
AB1 sf these controk working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
The power steering pump and reservoir are mounted on
the rear (driver’s side) sf the engine biock. See
“Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
c
ENGINE OIL LOW CHECK LEVEL HMBHBMrn
Ef you have the Driver Infcmation Center, an ENGINE
OIL LOW-CHECK LEVEL message will appear when
the engine oil is approximately I quart (fL) Isw. 11 the
message is displayed, check the dipstick level and add
oil as needed.
7r
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Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine
to cool two to three hours after running.
I. Clean tke area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the G~H fill plug wing a 3/26 inch
Allen
wrench.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches efre
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place.
Torque
to 88 bin ( IO N-m).
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is wherr the engine oil is changed.
Change
both the fluid a.nd filter every 50,000 miles
(83 080 Ian) if the vehicle is mainly driven rander one
or more of these conditions:
8 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police QT delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any sf these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not reqwie changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
md Eubricmts” 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.
I. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove@Zl.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level ips
4. When the correct fluid level is obt.ained, push the
described
under “How to Check.”
dipstick back in
dl the way.
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 MI0 h) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL“ extended life coolant,
The following explains
your coding 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:
J
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF 129 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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Qverall
Length ................. 206.8 inches (525.3 cm)
Width ................... 74.7 inches ( B 89.7 cm)
Height ................... 58.8 inches (147.6 cm)
Wheelbase .............. B 13.8 inches (289.1 cm)
Front Tread ............... 62.7 inches (159.3 cm)
Rear Tread ............... 62.3 inches (158.2 cm)
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Engine Oil Filter ................ AC Type PF-47
_L
Air Cleaner Element .......... AC Type A- 1096C
Fuel Filter .................... AC Type GF-627
Spark Plugs ................... AC Type 41-921
Gap: 0.060 inch (. 152 crn)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type
............................ Hook Style
Length
..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Filter
(HVAC air filter) ..... GM Part No. 52472175
Passenger
Compartment
Air
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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
E Tensioner
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1. Front Belt C. Crank
2. Back Belt D. Supercharger
A. Generator E. Coolant Pump
B. Power Steering IF. Air Conditioning The Supercharged
3800 engine
uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator, power steering
pump, coolant
pump surd air conditioning compressor.
The second belt drives the superchwger. Each belt has
its own tensioner
mi idler pulley. See ‘‘Maintenance
Schedule” in the Index
for when to check he accessory
drive belts and supercharger oil level. Have your dealer
check the
oil level in the supercharger.
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