oil change BUICK SKYLARK 1993 Owners Manual

A CAUTION:
Rust: or 'dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The w~heel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change
a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
whiere the wheel attach'es to
the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a doth olr a paper towel
to do this; but. be swe to :use a scraper or wire
Ibr'ush later, if
you need inl. to get all the rust or "
dirt off.
1
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the n"s might come loose. Your wheel cou!l
fall oEf, causing a serious accidenlt.
_I
I
Replace the wheel nuts
with the rounded end
of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held
against the hub.
209

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

~~~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.

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

Scheduled Maintenance Services Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 ONLY if none of the driving conditions specified in Schedile I apply.
TO BE SERVICED
(See Explanation of
Scheduled Maintenance Services Following Schedules
I and 11)
Item No.
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months, Whichever Occurs First
MILES (000)
KILOMETERS (000)
12.5 I 25 I 37.5 I 50 I 62.5 I 75
1. Engine Oil Change* Every 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) or 12 mos. e e
Oil Filter Change* At first and then every other oil change 0
2. Chassis Lubrication
Every 7 500 mi. (12 500.-km) or 12 mos. e e
3. Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque*
At 7 500 mi. ( 12 500 km). only e
4. Tire & Wheel Inspection & Rotation
I
At 7 500 mi. (12 500 km) and then every
15
000 mi. (25 000 km) or as necessary
5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection*
6. Cooling System Service* Every
30
000 mi. (50 000 km) or 24 mos.
272
I

Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance equipped with grease fittings, lubricate the
Services suspension and steering linkage.
Below are explanations
of the services listed in $chediie ‘ ‘ 3. Throttle Body Mounting; Bolt Torque (3.3L Code . , I:
I and Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Section
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives
the vehicle.
NOTE:
To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine 1dentific.ation” in the Index.
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SG
Energy Conserving
I1 oils of proper viscosity. The
“SG, designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as “SG/CC”,
“SG/CD” or “SF,
SG, CC,” etc. To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication -- Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. If your vehicle is
An Emission Control Service.
N engine only)* -- Che& the torque of the
mounting bolts and/or nuts.
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this manual. See “Tires,
Inspection
& Rotation” in the Index, Check the tires
for uneven wear or damage. If you see irregular or
premature wear, check
the wheel alignment. Check
for damaged wheels also.
5. Engine Accessory Drive Belt@) Inspection --
Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
6. Cooling System Service* -- Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See
“Coolant” in the Index. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
4. Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection -- For
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission war\
ranty 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 i\
ntervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section EMaintenance Record”.
274

Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the~radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap and
neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test
of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
7. Transaxle Service -- Change both the fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 F (32 C) or
higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models, you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service. If you
do’ not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 km).
8. Spark Plug Replacement* -- Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See “Specifications Chart” in
the Index.
9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection (3.3L Code N engine
only)*?
-- Inspect for burns, cracks or other
damage. Check the boot fit at the coils and at the
spark plugs. Replace wires as needed.
10. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement* -- Replace every
30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or more often under dusty
conditions. Ask your dealer for the proper
replacement intervals for your driving conditions.
11. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection”? -- Inspect
fuel
tank, cap and lines (including fuel rails and
injection assembly) for damage or leaks. Inspect fuel
cap gasket for an even filler neck imprint or any
damage. Replace parts as needed. Periodic
replacement of the fuel filter is not required.
* An Emission Control Service.
The
U.S. Environmental Protection 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”.