service BUICK ROADMASTER 1993 Owner's Manual

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

When to Check: Check your tires once .a month or
more.
Don’t forget
your compact spare-tire (if SO equipped). It
should be at 60 psi (420 Pa).
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not
tell you the pressure, especially if
you have radial tires
- which may look properly inflated even if they’re
underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
.on. They help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended in the, Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
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The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
.To find out what kind and size of tires you need; look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC Spec)
-number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Spec number.
That way,
your vehicle will continue
to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the
TPC nu-mber will be followed. by a “MS”
(for mad and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure .they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
‘t
A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different siz
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you
cows
have a crash. Be sure to use the same size and
type tires
on all four wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare (if
you have one). It
was developed for use on your
I
I
‘ :le.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires
by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold
in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions
on a specified govement test course. For
I

Finis,h Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the fini.sh
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer .or other service outlets. Larger areas'of finish damage can be corrected
,
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Un,derbody Maintenance
Chemicais used €or ice, and snow removal and-dust
control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur .on. the
underbody.parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmosphexic conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces
on your vehicle. This damage
can take
two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark
spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no chaKge to the owner, the surfaces
of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles.(20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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285

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
II ID 111111111 1111 111 l~lllll11111111111111111 11111 llllDDlllll I
a SAMPLE4UXPMOM75 ’ h i II
ENGINE f \ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument p,anel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if you 1,ook through the
windshield from outside your vehicle,. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title.and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code for
your
GM engine. This code will help you identify your
engine, specifications, and replacement parts in this section.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the rear compartment storage lid
in the wagon. On the sedan, the label
is located on the
trunk lid. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order
parts. On this label
is:
Your VIN.
Its model designation.
Paint information.
A list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
Add-.O.n Electrkal
E,quipment
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287

Part 7 Main.tenance Schedule
dependability and emission control performance. Part
7 includes:
Introduction
......................................................................
A Word About Maintenance .....................................................
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................................................
How This Part is Organized .....................................................
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services .............................................
Using Your Maintenance Schedules ...............................................
SelectingtheRightSchedule ....................................................
Schedule1 ...................................................................
Schedule11 ..................................................................
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services .....................................
Section B: Owner Checks and Services .................................................
AtEachFuelFill ..............................................................
AtLeastOnceaMonth .........................................................
AtLeastOnceaYear ...........................................................
Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections ............................................
Section D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .........................................
Section E: Maintenance Record .......................................................

“Section B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you what
should &.checked whenever
you stop-for fuel. It also
explains what
’you can easily do to heip keep your
vehicle ia good condition.
,“Section
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that
your Buick dealer’s service
department or ;another qualified service center should
perform.

I
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules
This section tells you the maintenance services you
should have done and when
you should schedule them.
Your Buick dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it.
If you go to your dealer for your
service needs, you’ll
know that GM-trained and
supported service people will perform the work using
genuine GM parts.
These schedules are
for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommefided
limits.
You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
a use the recommended unleaded fuel. See “Fuel” in
the Index.
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:
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
a Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when
outside temperatures are below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door .deliveryy or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You tow a trailer.
If any one (or more) of these is true.for your driving,
follow Schedule
I.
Schedule Il
Follow Schedule 11 only if none of the above conditions
is true.
301

Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I
Follow Schedule'I if your car is MAINLY driven under one or more of the following conditions:
0 When most trips are less than 4 miles (6 kilometers).
e -When most trips are' less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
.e When mosttrips include extended idling and/oi- frequent low-speed operation as \
in stop-and-go traffic.
e Towing a trailer.*?
0 When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if the car is used for delivery service, police, taxi\
or other commercial applications.
TO~BE SERVICED WHEN TO PERFORM (See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or
Services Following Months, Whichever
Schedules I and 11j Occurs First
I 1. Engine Oil & Oil Filter Every 3 000 mi. (5000 km)
Change* or 3 months.
I 2. Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change
I
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 OQd)..mi,~10~000 km)
Bolt Torque*
I
At 6,000 mi. (10 000 km) and
km) or as necessary
4. Tire 8L Inspection ' then every 15 000 mi. (25 000 Rotation
5. Engine Accessory Drive
Belt(s) Inspection" Every
30 000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 months.
MILES (000) I
LO 10 15
0
0
0
20 25
00
.
KILOMETER;
35 40 45
000
0
0
000)
50 55 60 65
000.
0 a
0
0
302

TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance
' Months, Whiche'ver Services Following:
Miles (kilometers) or
WHEN TO PERFORM
I
Schedules I and 11y
Item No.
~ Occurs First
7. Front Wheel bearing
~~
Repack See Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Service
,Following Schedules I and I1
9. Spark Plug
Replacement*
Inspection*?
I 11. EGR System Inspection*? I
I 12. Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement*
13. Air Cleaner Inspection*?
14.Fuel Tank, Cap
& Lines
Inspection*?
15. Engine Timing &
Distributor Check*
~~
Every 30 000 mi
(50 000 km)
MILES (000)
- KILOMETERS (000)
75 80
J
The services shown in. this schedule up to 48 000 miles (80 00.0 km) should be performed after
48 000 miles at the same intervals.
* An Emission Control Service.
-f- The U.S. Environmental F'rotection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of
vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in "Section EMaintenance Record".