fluid BUICK PARK AVENUE 2005 Owner's Manual

The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the ve sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The delay position closest to OFF
is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one. The highest
sensitivity setting, level ve, is closest to the LO position.
A single wipe will occur each time you turn the wiper
control band to a higher sensitivity level to indicate that
the sensitivity level has been increased.
The windshield wipers also remain in a “high park”
position, stopped on the windshield and not in the
normal park position, even when the ignition is
turned off.
Notice:If you do not turn off the windshield wipers
when driving through an automatic car wash, you
could damage the wipers. Always turn off the
windshield wipers before entering an automatic
car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the moisture-sensing function. The
system can be overridden at any time by manually
turning the wiper band to LO or HI speed.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever there is a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer uid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear
the window and either stop or return to your preset
speed. For more washer cycles, push and hold
the paddle.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
If your vehicle is equipped with a DIC, a WINDSHIELD
WASHER FLUID LOW message will appear on the
instrument panel cluster when the vehicle is low
on washer uid. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-49.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
3-10

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 reects the following messages:
EXP
(Export ID) Warning Message
23 DOOR AJAR
24 TRUNK AJAR
25 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW
36 ENGINE OIL LOW – 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.SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM – 54:If you ever see
the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message, it
means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system: stop, turn off the engine, then start the
engine again. If the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
message still comes on, it means there is a problem.
You should see your GM dealer for service. Reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE – 55:You may see the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message. It means
that an advanced, computer-controlled system has come
on to help your vehicle continue to go in the direction
in which you are steering. This stability enhancement
system activates when the computer senses that
your vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit
a patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road.
When the system is on, you may hear a noise or feel a
vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message is on,
you should continue to steer in the direction you want
to go. The system is designed to help you in bad
weather or other difficult driving situations by making the
most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on, you
will know that something has caused your vehicle to
start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
3-49

When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
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 are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not 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 is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will 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 inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is 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?
4-22

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-17
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-50
Rear Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-Up Lamps........................................5-50
Rear Quarter Panel Turn Signal
and Stoplamps..........................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-57
Tires..............................................................5-58
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-59
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-65
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-68
Buying New Tires.........................................5-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-26.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Engine Coolant Air Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling System
on page 5-28.
G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-22.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35.
J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-28.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.Engine Oil
If the DIC message, ENGINE OIL LOW — CHECK
LEVEL appears on the instrument cluster, it means you
need to check your engine oil level right away. For
more information, seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-46.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
5-13

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically
qualied and have the
proper tools, you should
let your dealer 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. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-25.
5-18

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 a GM dealer.
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.
5-22

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
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 ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle uid dipstick
top is a round, red loop
and is located next to the
brake master cylinder
reservoir behind the engine
block. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
1. 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.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-23

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-25.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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.
5-24

10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up properly.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located below
the generator and
behind the accessory drive
belt in the rear of the
engine compartment on
the passenger’s side of
the vehicle.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
5-34