trailer BUICK PARK AVENUE 1999 Owner's Manual

yellowblue
6-21
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:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

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, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
6-22
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180F to
200F (82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), you may
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level

Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.

With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).

Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. The transaxle fluid
dipstick top is a round,
red loop and is next to
the brake master
cylinder behind the
engine block. Pull out
the dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
ProCarManuals.com

Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-5
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if
any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

Most trips are through dusty areas.

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.

If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or 6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first) (3800 Code 1 V6 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
ProCarManuals.com

Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-6
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this scheduled maintenance only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance is true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3800 Code 1 V6 engine only). Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-14
50,000 Miles (83 000 km) (Continued)
± 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, change the fluid
and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ProCarManuals.com

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-21

Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90
F
(32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transaxle fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ProCarManuals.com

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-26
50,000 Miles (83 000 km) (Continued)
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± 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, change the fluid
and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ProCarManuals.com

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
yellowblue
7-30
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.

Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90
F
(32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transaxle fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
9-2
Brake
Adjustment 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Light 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check 7-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-14, 2-32, 2-33, 4-29, 4-36 . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-10, 3-14, 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 3-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-12, 3-16, 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Playing a Compact Disc 3-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Central Door Unlocking System 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification Label 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chains, Safety 4
-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Tire Pressure System 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-43 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position 1-45 . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-47 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chrome Wheels, Cleaning 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner/Filter, Air 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels 6
-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speaker Covers 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
9-3
Personal Choice 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Wheel Touch Control 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coinholder 2-58, 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal Choice 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Wheel Touch Control 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player 3-17, 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 3-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-19, 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compass, Rearview Mirror with 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content Theft-Deterrent System 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenience Net 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank 5-10, 5-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature Gage 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering Lamps 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Lamps 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Light 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cupholders 2-58, 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance
For Text Telephone Users 8
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information 8-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offices 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Finish 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Sheet Metal 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime Running Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dead Battery 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety 8-9, 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive Driving 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger, Rear Window 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogging 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defrosting 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed Locking 2-7, 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIC 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, Vehicle 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby B Noise Reduction 3-13, 3-17, 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door
Ajar Reminder 2
-5, 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Central Unlocking System 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Information Center (DIC) 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls and Displays 2-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal Choice Programming 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings and Messages 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In a Blizzard 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 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ProCarManuals.com