BUICK ROADMASTER 1993 Owners Manual

Engine OiI
If the "LOW OIL" light on '
the instrument panel comes
on, it means .you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. You should
check your engine oil level
regularly; the light
is an
added reminder.
It's 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. From the front, you'll
see
your oil hpstick to the left
of 'the air cleaner. Turn off
the engine and give the oil a
fe.w minutes.
to drainget
back down-into the
oil pan.
If
you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual
h%l.
To Check Engine Oil: Pull
out the dipstick slightly.
Pinch the ,end of the
dipstiek tube as you remove
the dipstick to wipe the oil
fi-om it. Then,push it' all the
way back
in. No.w, remgve
it without pinching the tube,
keeping the tip lcmer.

1 I
! I'
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thickness. DO not we other visco,sity-oils such ;as SAE
low-40 or SAE 2OW-50.

It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less:
than
10 miles (16 km).
. The engine is -at low .speed most of the time (as in
door
tp door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If -any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need-to change
your oil.and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or, 3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12 -500 km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and
at every
other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if-you have
to park outside in very cold
weather,
-20 * F (-29 C] or .colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see
“Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Used engine oil contains things that have
caused skin cancer in laboratory animals.
Da
let used oil stay on your skin for very long
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
away clothing or rags containing used engine
0
lr a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
I
..
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your
own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
Erom the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by 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.
252

Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located behind the engine fan. To
access the filter, lift up on the latches and let the cover
down. Replace the filter and snap the latches.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace-the air filter and the
PCV filter.
See “Scheduled .Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
Operath e engine wltn tne air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air,
it stops flame i
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t
drive
with it off, and be careful working on tT
engine with t‘ air cf - - -- -8r om-
_.
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253

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your auiomatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at
a Buick,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. Wait
at least
30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above. 90 F ‘(32 C);
0 At high speed for quite a while. I
In heavy traffic - &specially in hot weathEr.: . .
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 F to 200 *F (82 C
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle ‘warmed
up
by driving about 15 miles (24 krn) when outside
temperatures are above
50 F (1 0 C). If it’s colder than
50 F ( 10 C), drive the vehicle in “D” (3rd Gear) until
the engine temperature gage moves and then remains
steady for ten minutes. Then follow the hot check
procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made
after the vehicle has been sitting for
8 hours or more
with the engine
off and is used only as a reference. Let
the engine run at idle for
5 minutes if outside
temperatures are
50 F (10 C) or more. If ‘it’s colder
than
50 OF (10 * C), you may have to idle the engine
longer.
A hot check must €0110~ when fluid is added
during
a cold check.
..
to 93 C).
254

To check the fluid hot or cold:
0 Park your vehicle on a level place.
Place the shift.lever in “P” (Park) with the parking
brake applied.
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about 3
seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever
in
“P” (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for 3 minutes or more.
Then, without shutting
off the enpine, follow these
steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait 3 seconds and then
pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the
COLD area for st
cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for
a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
255

How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and.lLubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the COLD area for a cold
check or the
HOT area fora hot check. It doesn’t take
much fluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill.
we
recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRONBIIE,
because fluids with that label are made-especially for
you automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid
other than DEXRON@IIE
is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.77
0 When the correct-fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant:
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
What
to Use:
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052271) or SAE
80W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant.
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052271) or SAE 8OW-90
GL-5 gear lubricant.
To completely refill after draining,
add
4 ounces (1 18 ml) of Limited-Slip Differential
Lubricant Additive (GM Part
No. 1052358). Then fill to
the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle Lubricant
(GM Part
No. 1052271) or SAE 80W-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.

er to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. Wi’th
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of
clean water and a proper antifreeze.
257

.. .. ,I
Adding Coolant ': . .:,.
The coolant recovery tank .is located at the left of the
engine compartment, directly behind
.. the'battery.
.To Ch.eck.Coolant: When your engine is cold, the
co;olant,level sl~oultj be .at
"FULL COLD,'' or a little .
high_-..'When your engine is 'warm, the. level should'ke:
up to ',L;. - iLL,HOT," or'a .little higherd. ' . .. '. .... ,. .
.. ' .," . .. ..
ro Add Coolant: If you need more coolant, add the.
oronP.1:
mix at the coolant recovery tar&.