heating BUICK PARK AVENUE 2004 User Guide

Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine, as well as
a coolant temperature gage, on your instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
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 re.
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 re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
5-28

SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it is not, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-31

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace them.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its sidewall.
The examples below show a typical passenger car tire
and a compact spare tire sidewall.
5-62

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-98
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion................5-104
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-16
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-43
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Cooling System Inspection............................6-24
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-25
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-19
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-19
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-17
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-46Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Station....................................3-59, 3-64
Finish Care....................................................5-94
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flash-To-Pass.................................................. 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-79
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-80
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39
FM ...............................................................3-78
Following Distance..........................................4-43
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-14
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-17
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
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