low oil pressure BUICK PARK AVENUE 2003 Owner's Manual

Oil Pressure Light
This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your vehicle's engine
oil pressure.
The oil pressure light will come on brie¯y when you turn
your key to RUN. It goes off once you turn the key to
START. That's just a check to be sure the light
works. This is normal and doesn't show a problem. If it
doesn't come on and then go off, be sure to have it
®xed so it will be there to warn you if there is a problem.
When this light
comeson andstayson, and a chime
sounds, it means oil isn't going through the engine
properly. The oil could be low, or there might be some
other oil problem. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches ®re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
3-40

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle 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
located to the left of
the steering column:
ODO/TRIP (Odometer/Trip):Use this button to display
your total and trip miles.
FUEL INFO (Information):Press this button to display
fuel information such as fuel used, fuel range and
fuel economy.GAGE INFO (Information):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.
ENG/MET (English/Metric):Use this button to change
the display between English and metric units.
DIC Controls and Displays
When you turn the ignition on, the DIC will display your
driver number. You can have your dealer program
your name to appear on this display line. See your
dealer for more information.
The system will then perform a status check and display
any messages if a problem is detected. If there are
no problems detected, the display will return to the mode
selected by that driver the last time the ignition was
turned off.
If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will
appear in the display. The following pages will show the
messages you may see on the DIC display.
The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle's performance status.
3-43

Battery Volts:Press the GAGE INFO 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 Pressure:Press the GAGE INFO 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.
Oil Life System:Press the GAGE INFO 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 10% the display will show OIL LIFE INDEX
CHANGE OIL. When you have the oil changed, you
will have to reset the GM Oil Life System. To reset the
Oil Life System, see
Engine Oil on page 5-14.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Other warning messages may appear in the DIC
display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC
message your DIC will display EXP with a number after
it which re¯ects the following messages:
EXP
(Export ID) Warning Message
23 DOOR AJAR
24 TRUNK AJAR
25 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW
36 ENGINE OIL LOW Ð CHECK LEVEL
54 SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
55 STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE
82 CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
91TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
ACTIVE
140 TIRE PRESSURE LOW
The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove
the messages or warnings from the DIC display.
3-45

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh Ð such as after a day's
work Ð don't plan to make too many miles that ®rst
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll ®nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
·Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
·Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
·Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
·Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
·Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all in¯ated to the
recommended pressure?
·Weather Forecasts:What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
·Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-21

Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically
quali®ed and have the
proper tools, you should let
your dealer or a quali®ed
service center perform
this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-25.
How to Check and Add Oil
Park the vehicle on a level surface. Check oil only when
the engine is cold. Allow the engine to cool two to
three hours after running.
{CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil ®ll plug
while the engine is hot, pressure may cause
hot oil to blow out of the oil ®ll hole. You may
be burned. Do not remove the plug until the
engine cools.
1. Clean the area around the oil ®ll plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil ®ll plug.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place.
Tighten to 88 lb-in (10Y).
5-19

Cleaning the Outside of Your
Vehicle
The paint ®nish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle's ®nish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don't wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don't use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle
well, removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-84.
Don't use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be ¯ushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the
surface, or they could stain. Dry the ®nish with a soft,
clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under ªWashing Your Vehicle.º
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint ®nish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-84.
If your vehicle has a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint ®nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
®nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint ®nish may
dull the ®nish or leave swirl marks.
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 ®nish 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 ®nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
5-82

Chains, Tires..................................................5-68
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-56
Check...........................................................3-37
Engine Light...............................................3-37
Tire Pressure System...................................5-60
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-84
Child Restraints..............................................1-33
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-22
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-82
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-79
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-81
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-80
Cleaning Leather............................................5-80
Cleaning the Speaker Covers...........................5-81
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel.........................................5-80
Cleaning Tires................................................5-83
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-80
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-83
Cleaning........................................................5-79
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-79
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Climate Control System...................................3-27
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-27
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-28
Dual Automatic............................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-26
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-28
Compact Disc Changer Errors..........................3-65
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-62
3

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-7
Headlamp......................................................5-47
Aiming.......................................................5-47
Headlamps On Reminder.................................3-12
Headlamps....................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-49
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-17
Heated Backlite Antenna..................................3-70
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hitches..........................................................4-35
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-39
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-39
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How the System Works...................................3-20
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-32How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-34
How to Add Fluid............................................5-24
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-19
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-38
How to Check........................................5-22, 5-60
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter..............................................5-20
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-17
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-38
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-38
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-28
If You Can't See The HUD Image When the
Ignition is On..............................................3-19
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-33
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-26
Ignition Positions.............................................2-21
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-59
7