engine BUICK SKYLARK 1993 Owners Manual

. , ,. .,,_ Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
“Car
of the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was
used
in the Special.
I
Ed Mertz, General Manager, Buick Motor Division
Our mission is simple:
i
1
1962 Buick Special
Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s
former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone of
General Motors, Buick City is a state-of-the-art
assembly facility with more than
200 robots and other
high-tech equipment. It was completed in the fall
of
1985.
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich detail and comfortable accommodation. “Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars
backed with services that exceed
our customers’
expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership,
service and repurchase experience.”
Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL.
Buicks are DISTINCTIVE.
Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks are MATURE.
7

Table of Contents
How to Use this Manual ................................................................. 10
Seats and Safety Belts
............................ .:. ................................... 13
FeaturesandControls
.................................................................. 61
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
..................................................... 119
YourDrivingandtheRoad
.............................................................. 137
ProblemsontheRoad
.................................................................. 185
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings & symbols.
This part tells you how
to use your seats and safety belts properly.
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation
& comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants
to use.
This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects.’’
Here’s an alphabetical listing
of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
ServiceandAppearanceCare ............................................................ 215
Maintenanceschedule
.................................................................. 265
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 285
Index
........................................................................\
........ 293
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will. find -on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
Q
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD CAUSE
BA~~RY
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD pq
FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle- is
driven:
FASTEN SEAT 4
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e 9
TU-RN
HIGH BEAM
OR = =o
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD ' ' '
. WASHER
CI 0s
-tO -1
WINDSHIELD
WASHER 8
wI*DsHIELDw DEFROSTER
WINDOW
Ltft,
REAR
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
3f
HEADLAMP -
WIPER
WASHER
EQ
L
~
These symbols
are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP *-
ENGINE
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
RADIATOR
a
COOLANT
FUEL @
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
TEMP
OIL &
ANTILOCK (@)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
RAD10 k
VOLUME
CONDITIONING
AIR e
HATCHBACK TRUNK
RELEASE
LIGHTER
1-i
HORN
SPEAKER
12

Ignition Key Positions
Your square-headed key
opgs.@gs ,. .r , your ignition lock. ..
This lock gives you five different positions.
Before you put the key in, your ignition will be in the
Lock position. This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft deterrent feature.
The other positions let you perform these functions:
ACC: Accessory lets you’use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use
“Acc,” push in the key and turn
it toward you. Your
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steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like “Lock.” Use
“Off’” if you must .have your car
in motion while the engine is
off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This key position starts your engine.
Starting .Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will- find the VIN at the
top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
Move your shift lever to
“P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature;
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N’ (Neutral) only.
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1 To start your L4 2.3 Lites (Code 3) engine:
I
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
If it doesn’t start right away, and the weather is very
cold (below
-20’ .F, or -29’ C), push the accelerator
pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you
turn the key to
“Start.” Do this until the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of’the key.
4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
If the car starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down
for five or six seconds.
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
electrical equipment, check
you don’t, your engine rnigh
the part
of this Manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towin
Your Car” in the Index.
74

To start your V6 3.3 Liter (Code N) engine:
1.
2.
3.
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because
of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
.4
If it doesn’t start right away, push the accelerator
pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you
turn the key to “Start.”
Do this until the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded
with too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
“Start
” for about 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline
from the engine. Turn the ignition key to
“Off.” Wait 10 seconds, then repeat Step 3.
seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
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Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles 01
standing water, water can come in through
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine.
If you can’t avoid deep puddles or
standing water, drive through them very slowly.
Engine Block Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, O°F (-18 “C) or colder, the engine
block heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
To use the block heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
1 A
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
I
How long should you keep the block heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the weather, the kind of oil you
have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact a Buick dealer in
the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.

Automatic Transaxle
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P.(Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
ehicle won’t move, when you’re on fairly level
ound, always set your parking brake and move
e shift lever to
“P” (Park). See “Shifting Into ‘P’
ark)”
in the Index. If you are parking on a hill
, if you’re pulling a trailer, also see “Parking on
11s” or “ Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in “P” (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition key is in the “Run” position.
If you cannot shift
out of
“P” (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all the way into
“P,’ (Park) and also
release the shift lever button on floor shift console
models
- as you maintain brake application. Then move
77

1 the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever
button before moving the shift lever on floor shift
3: console models.) See “SI
section,
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back ifting’ Out
of ‘I?’ (Park)” in this
To rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow,
ice
or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or, Snow” in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the
wheels. To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N” (Neutral) only. Also, use “N’ when your vehicle
is being towed.
I
A CAUTION:
hifting out of ‘‘P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) while
our engine is “racing” (running at high speed)
s dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
rake pedal, your vehicle could move very
apidly. You could lose control and
hit people or
bjects. Don’t shift out of
“P” (Park) or “N”
[Neutral) while your engine is racing.
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
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of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.