trailer BUICK PARK AVENUE 2004 Owner's Guide

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter 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 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 do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
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 uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have
to drive longer.
5-23

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-29

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City Denition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 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).
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 rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection. Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Supercharger Oil Check (or every
36 months, whichever occurs rst) (3800 Code 1
V6 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
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
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
6-5

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are 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 will cause 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 rst). Tire
Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection. Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Supercharger Oil
Check (or every 36 months, whichever occurs rst)
(3800 Code 1 V6 engine only). Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
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 rst).
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
6-6

39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
the lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect lter at every engine oil change. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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 do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
6-10

❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-25.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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 uid, change both
the uid and lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-25for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-13

45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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 do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter.
❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-25.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
6-16

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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 uid, change both
the uid and lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-25for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-18

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
Customizing Your Automatic Door Locks
Feature......................................................2-13
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-27
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-15
Delayed Locking.....................................2-11, 3-54
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature.................3-77
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-32Door
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-11
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-14
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-47
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-47
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-44
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-42
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24
4

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
5