engine oil BUICK SKYLARK 1993 User Guide

To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the upper
mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must
use the right kind,. This section explains what kind of oil
to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
224
I

What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:
SG
“SG’ must be on the oil container, either by itself or
combined with other quality designations, such
as
“SG/CC,” “SG/CD,” “SF,SG,CC;” etc. These letters
show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels
of
quality.
I
0 SAE low-30 (V6 3.3L LG7 Engine)
As shown in this viscosity chart,
SAE 1OW-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
5W-30
if it’s going to be colder than 60 OF ( 16 C)
before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
below
O°F (-18 C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOW AND COLD 16, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE El.. -_ .-J TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATMER
r
“F
k100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
f
r
“C
. +38
.+27
- +16
.+4
.-7
. -18
WEATHER LOOK
LABEL
FOR THIS IOW-30
1
-
-
above WF
SAE 5W-30
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS’ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE
OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40,
SAE 2OW-50 OR

RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
COLD
FOR LOOK THIS @
LABEL
5W-30
"t'LcoNse94'
IE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE low-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C). WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
SAE 5W-30 (L4 2.3L L40 Engine)
As shown in this viscosity chart, SAE
5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE low-30
if it's going to be
0 OF (- 18 C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you
save fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada,
GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don't add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think
something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
226
I
1

0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles (16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 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:
I sed engine oil contains things that have caused
skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t 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 throw away
c-othing
or rags containing used engine oil.
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. Don’t
ever dispose of it 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 propeily disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center for help.
227

0
0
0
0
0
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 "C) .
Give boiling protection up to 262 F (128 " C) .
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work
as they should.
231

~~~x~~~~ of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant-flush
and refill. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
n
1 A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water 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. With
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
50150 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
I
warrantv. Too much water in the mix can freeze
Adding Coolant
The surge tank is located on
the passenger’s side
of the
engine compartment.
To Check Coolant: When
.your engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at
“FULL COLD,” or a little
higher.

. Capacities and Specifications
Engine Code D1 (L40)2 2.3L L-4 (QUAD 4) OHC
Belt Tensions -
Front crankbelt: automatically controlled by an
idler pulley. Tension adjustment should never be
ncessary. Power steering:
450 Newtons
Cooling System Capacity -
10.4 quarts/9.8 liters
Crankcase Capacity -
4 quarts/3.8 liters
Air Conditioning Capaeity(Rl2)4 -
2.63 lbs. (1.19 kilograms)
Fuel Tank Capacity -
15.2 gallons/57.5 liters
Transaxle, Automatic -
Capacity 4 quarts/3.8 liters
Maintenance Item Part Numbers3
Air Filter - AI 172C
Fuel Filter
- GF578
Oil Filter
- PF1225 or PF47
PCV Valve
- CV899C
Spark Plug
- FR3LSK, GAP 0.035”
~~~~
1 8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
z Made in a GM plant in the United States.
3 Part numbers are AC type.
4 Air Conditioning Refrigerant - Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your
vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used. If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.
263

Capacities and Specifications
Engine Code N1 (LG7)2 3.3L L-6 MFI 3300
Belt Tensions -
Automatically controlled by a self-tensioning idler
pulley. Tension adjustment.should new be
necessary.
Cooling System Capacity -
13 quarts/l2.5 liters
Crankcase Capacity -
4 quarts/3.8 liters
Air Conditioning Capacity(R12)d -
2.63 lbs. (1.19 kilograms)
Fuel Tank Capacity -
Transaxle -
15.2 gallons/57.5 liters
Capacity
4 quartd3.8 liters
Maintenance Item Part Numbers3 -
Air Filter - A974C
Fuel Filter
- GF48 1
Oil Filter - PF40
PCV Valve
- CV899C
Spark Plug
- 41-600, GAP 0.060”
1 8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
2 Made in a GM plant in the United States.
3 Part numbers are AC type.
4 Air Conditioning Refrigerant - Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your
vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used. If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.
264

IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE
AS
RECOMMENDED ,?.j :i i
Protection
Plan
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 choose to
have their maintenance work done.
Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.
266

I
b 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).
0 When most trips are less. than 10 miles (16 kilometers) and outside temperatures remain below freezing.
0 When most trips indude extended idling and/or frequent low-speed operation as in stop-a\
nd-go traffic.
0 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 app\
lications.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or
Services Following Months, Whichever
WHEN
TO PERFORM
Schedules I and 10
Item No. I
Occurs First
1. hgine
Oil & Filter Change months I
Every 3000 mi. (5000 km) or
2. Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change
3. Throttle Body Mounting At 6 000 mi. (10 000 km)
Bolt Torque*
At
6 000'mi. (10 000 km) and
km) or as necessary
4. Tire & 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)
3 16 19 112115118121124127130(33136139142145148
5 10
a.
..
0
0
KILOMETERS (000)
65 70 75 80
a...
0 a
270