check engine BUICK ROADMASTER 1993 Owners Manual

3. If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. I
But, when
isn't going
low on oil, this light comes
on and
stays, on, it meansoil
through your engine properly.
You could be
or yoimight have some other oil prGblem.
You can. also read your oil
pressure .directly
fmrn the
gage.- on your instrument
panel.
:. . ;
A CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that i,
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your
oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
I
., I
117

Volts Gage
This gage shows voltage in
the electrical system. The
normal range is
11 to 15
volts. If the gage reading
staysin either red range,
have
your Buick dealer
check the electrical system.
Tachometer
I
The tachometer tells you.how fast the engine is going. It
displays engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM).
119

blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra. II
clothing, make body insulators. from newspapers, burlap I CAUTION: (Continued)
bags, rags, floor math - anything you can wrap around 3pen a window just a Iihz oh &he side of the
yourself OX tuck under your clothing to keep warm. ._ .. ,... r’ ,. . I vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will helr
Yon can run the engine to keep warm, but. be careful.
,. ,
/A CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (carbnn
monoxide)
gas to get inside. CQ could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see it o
smell it, so y~u might not know it was in you1
vehicle. Clear
away snow from around the base
of your vehicle, especially any that is blockina
your exhaust
gibe. And check around again
from time to ti P to be sure snow doesn’t
collect there.
CAUTION: (Continued)

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.

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 Check Power Steering Fluid: , ’ .
’ Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level %-‘- L
should be at the “HOT” mark. *. s
When the engine Compartment is cool, the level
should be at the “FULL
COLD’; mark.
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See (‘Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
k‘ T, ’ . I

IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE
PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Plan I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help, you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times’ a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work,
to do errands or in many other
ways.
Because
of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than
you will
find
in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive. If you have any questions
on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners thoose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.

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".

At Each Fuel Fill.
(It is important for you ‘or a service station. attendant
to perform these underhood
.ch~ecks ,,at each fuel fill.)
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Engine Oil
Level
Engine Coolant
Level
Winashield Washer Fluid
Level
.
WHAT TO DO .
Check the engine oil level and add
the. proper
oil. if necessary. See
Tngine Oil” in the Index for further
details.
Check the engine coolant level
In thy
coolant recovery tank and add the
’ proper coolant mix if necessary., See. “Coolant” in the Index for further
details.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level
in ‘the windshield washer tank
and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
the Index for ‘further details.
,, .,
At Least Once a Month
CHECK OR
‘SERVICE
Tire Inflation
WHAT TO DO ;
Check tire .inflation. Make sure they
are inflated to.the pressures specified
on the Tire-Loading Information
label located on, the rear edge
.of the
,driver’s door. See “Tires”
in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Year
s
CHECK-OR
I ’ SERVICE
Key Lock
I Cylinders
WHAT TO DO
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
the. lubricant specified in Section D.
‘Lubricate all body door hinges. Also
lubricate all
hinges and. latches,
including those for, the hood, glove
box door and console .door. Section
D tells you what to use.
..
309