Every 2001 Regal under warranty is backed with the following services: Courtesy Transportation 1-800-252-1112 ( For vehicles purchased in Canada, call 1-800-268-6800 ) that provides in an emergency: Free lockout assistance Free dead-battery assistance Free out-of-fuel assistance Free flat-tire change Emergency towing
2001 Buick Regal Owner's Manual Litho in U.S.A.
Table of Contents Seats and Restraint Systems Section 1 Seats and Seat Controls Safety Belts Air Bag Systems Restraint Systems for Children Features and Controls Section 2 ii Windows Keys and Door Locks Remote Keyless Entry Trunk Release Automatic Transaxle Parking Brake Tilt Wheel Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Windshield Wipers Cruise Control Exterior and Interior Lamps Mirrors Storage Compartments Convenience Net (If Equipped) Auxillary Power Outlets/Auxiliary Power Connection OnStar® System (If E
Table of Contents (cont'd) Comfort Controls and Audio Systems Section 3 Heating and Air Conditioning Setting the Radio Clock Radio/Cassette Player/CD Player Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) Your Driving and the Road Section 4 Defensive Driving Drunken Driving Control of a Vehicle Braking Steering Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions Recreational Vehicle Towing Loading Your Vehicle Towing a Trailer Problems on the Road Section 5 Hazard Warning Flashers Jump
Table of Contents (cont'd) Service and Appearance Care Section 6 Fuel Checking Fluids and Lubricants GM Oil Life System™ (If Equipped) Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped) Brakes Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires and Wheels Appearance Care Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers Capacities and Specifications Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Maintenance Schedule Section 7 iv Scheduled Maintenance Owner Checks and Services Periodic Main
Table of Contents (cont'd) Customer Assistance Information Section 8 Customer Satisfaction Procedure Customer Assistance Offices Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation Warranty Information (See Warranty Manual) Reporting Safety Defects on page 8-9 Service Publications Index Section 9 In the Index you will find an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.
We support voluntary technician certification. GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem and the name REGAL are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual.
How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly. Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.
Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices: NOTICE: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words.
Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.
Service Station Guide Windshield Washer Fluid See Section 6 Cooling System Battery For See Section 6 a More Detailed Look at What's Under the Hood Tire Pressure See Section 6 See Section 5 See Section 6 Spare Tire Pressure See Section 5 Hood Release See Section 6 Engine Oil Dipstick Fuel See Section 6 Oil Viscosity Engine Oil See Section 6 Use unleaded only. See Section 6 for octane ratings.
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you how to adjust the seats and explains the reclining seatbacks and head restraints. 2-Way Manual Front Seats CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
6-Way Power Seats (If Equipped) Heated Seats (If Equipped) The driver’s switch is located on the left side of the driver’s seat cushion. The passenger’s switch is located on the right side of the passenger’s seat cushion. To move the seat forward or rearward, push the switch forward or rearward. To raise or lower the entire seat, push the switch up or down. To raise or lower the front portion of your seat, push the front of the switch up or down.
Reclining Front Seatbacks Lift the lever to release the seatback, then move the seatback to where you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback in place. Pull up on the lever without pushing on the seatback and the seatback will move forward. 1-4 But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.
Head Restraints CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen.
Split Folding Rear Seat This feature enables you to access your trunk. Pull forward on the seat tab, located on the front of the rear seatback, to fold the seatback down. To return the seatback to its original position, push it back up and make sure it latches. 1-6 A lock out feature is located on the rear of the seatback when folded down. This will disengage the inside seat tab when the release is locked. The seat will then only open from the tab on the rear of the seatback, located inside the trunk.
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. And it explains the air bag system. CAUTION: Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.
Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop.
The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ... 1-10 or the instrument panel ...
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense. A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down.
Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it.
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. To move it down, squeeze the release lever and the shoulder belt guide as shown and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without squeezing the release lever to make sure it has locked into position.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection this way.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it. A: The belt is twisted across the body.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.
Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has air bags -- a frontal air bag for the driver and another frontal air bag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact air bag for the driver. If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver it will say AIR BAG on the air bag covering on the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.
Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems: CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them.
CAUTION: Both frontal and side impact air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle, and should not lean on the door.
How the Air Bag Systems Work Where are the air bags? The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering and don’t let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact air bag.
If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the driver’s side impact air bag. What will you see after an air bag inflates? After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated.
D Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data. D Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly.
Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted.
If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. On some vehicles, when the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.
CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat.
2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 1-34 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.
4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions” earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto the clip.
Center Passenger Position Lap Belt When you sit in the center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.
Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued) For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it.
CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide.
CAUTION: Restraint Systems for Children The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries.
A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.
Q: A: How do child restraints work? A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint.
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. 1-44 In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored.
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.
Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint. 1-46 3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
4. Some vehicles have a child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor. You can tell if your vehicle has this feature by pulling the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor. Then, let the belt go back a few inches, and try to pull the belt out again. If you can’t pull the belt out because it has locked, it means the retractor has the child restraint locking feature.
To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. D If your vehicle doesn’t have the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor, tighten the belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint.
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position You’ll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. 2. Put the restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint.
5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.
CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in the rear seat. 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-52 5. Some vehicles have a child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor. You can tell if your vehicle has this feature by pulling the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor. Then, let the belt go back a few inches, and try to pull the belt out again.
tighten the belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. D If your vehicle has the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor, pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
Older Children Q: A: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.
CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time.
CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs.
Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit.
Section 2 Features and Controls Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
Windows CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
Power Windows Express-Down Window The driver’s window switch has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch and the driver’s window will open a small amount. If the rear of the switch is pressed all the way down, the window will go all the way down. To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the front of the switch. The driver’s window controls also include a lock-out switch.
Keys CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
The ignition key is for the ignition only. The ignition and door keys don’t have plugs. Your dealer or Buick Roadside Assistance has the code for your keys. If you need a new ignition or door key, contact your dealer who can obtain the correct key code. Also, see “Roadside Assistance” in the Index for more information. NOTICE: The door key is for the doors and all other locks. Your vehicle has a number of features that can help prevent theft.
Door Locks CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. D Passengers -- especially children -- can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle won’t open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. D Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out.
Programmable Modes Power Door Locks Your vehicle is equipped with front power door lock switches. Press a power door lock switch to lock or unlock all doors. Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the following modes. Mode 1: No automatic door lock or unlock. Mode 2: D Automatic all-door lock when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P); no automatic door unlock.
Mode 4: D Automatic all-door lock when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). D Automatic driver’s door only unlock when the transaxle is shifted into PARK (P). D Automatic door relock when any door is unlocked, opened and then all doors are closed again while the vehicle is not in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and the driver’s foot is on the brake pedal. When your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was programmed to Mode 3.
Rear-Door Child Security Locks Your vehicle is equipped with rear-door child security locks that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of your vehicle from the inside. To use one of these locks: 1. Open one of the rear doors. 2. On the inside of the rear door will be a lock. Insert your key into this lock and turn it upward. This will engage the safety lock. To disengage the feature, turn the lock downward.
Remote Keyless Entry With this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Instant Alarm Operation Press UNLOCK once to unlock the driver’s door and to turn on the interior lamps (see “Illumination on Remote Activation” in the Index for more details). This feature allows you to activate an alarm by pressing a button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Your ignition must be off for the instant alarm to work.
Programmable Modes Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the following modes. Mode 1: No Verification Mode 2: Horn Chirp only Mode 3: Headlamp Flash only Mode 4: Horn Chirp and Headlamp Flash When your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was programmed to Mode 3. The mode in which your vehicle was programmed may have been changed since it left the factory. To determine which security feedback lock mode your vehicle is programmed to or to program your vehicle to a different mode, do the following: 1.
When your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was programmed to Mode 3. The mode in which your vehicle was programmed may have been changed since it left the factory. To determine which security feedback unlock mode your vehicle is programmed to or to program your vehicle to a different mode, do the following: 1. Close all doors and turn the ignition key to RUN. 2. Press and hold the power door lock switch in the unlock position.
You have three actions possible once delayed locking is activated: D Cancel the delayed locking by pressing the unlock switch or by fully inserting the key in the ignition. D Override the delayed locking feature and lock the doors immediately by pressing the lock switch a second time. D Let the delayed locking feature complete the locking of the vehicle. If you wish to let the delayed locking feature complete the locking of the vehicle, no additional action is required.
Illumination on Remote Activation Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle This feature provides interior lighting when a remote keyless entry door unlock command is received and executed by your vehicle. Your ignition must be off for the illumination on remote activation feature to work. The interior lamps will light until either the ignition is turned to RUN or for a period of 40 seconds has elapsed.
Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about three years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery. NOTICE: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter.
Trunk CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid: D Make sure all other windows are shut. D Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on VENT.
Trunk Assist Handle (If Equipped) Pull down on the handle to lower the trunk lid. Then close the trunk with your other hand. If the trunk is not properly closed, the DOOR/TRUNK light will appear in the message center of your instrument panel cluster. See “DOOR/TRUNK Light” in the Index for more information. NOTICE: The trunk assist handle was not designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk. Improper use of the trunk assist handle could damage it.
Trunk Release Handle (If Equipped) There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from the inside. Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit To help prevent a child from becoming trapped in your trunk, you can order a trap-resistant trunk kit from your dealer.
Theft Parking Lots Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help. Even if you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up and take your keys.
PASS-KeyR II Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key II (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key II is a passive theft-deterrent system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition. PASS-Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key that matches a decoder in your vehicle. When the PASS-Key II system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter and fuel systems.
New Vehicle “Break-In” NOTICE: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: D Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts. D Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement.
NOTICE: If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. But turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service. OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, 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. NOTICE: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is attached to the underside of the vehicle’s diagonal brace, which is located above the engine air cleaner/filter assembly. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. CAUTION: In very cold weather, 0_F (-18_C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your 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 Operation Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever on the console between the seats.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily. CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) 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.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. B AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ( ): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re: D Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. CAUTION: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ( ). B Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ( ): B D When driving on hilly, winding roads. D When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. D When going down a steep hill. D When driving in no-highway scenarios (i.e. city streets, etc.) SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. NOTICE: If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set, the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Shifting Into PARK (P) CAUTION: NOTICE: Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also damage other parts of your vehicle. If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the button on the lever and then pushing the lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle. Then turn the ignition key to LOCK. 3. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running CAUTION: It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running.
Torque Lock Shifting Out of PARK (P) If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
Shift Lock Release 5. Remove the key from the ignition switch. Your vehicle is equipped with an electric park lock system. The system is designed to prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is in PARK (P) (with the shift lever button fully released). 6. Put the override access slot cap back on. The system also prevents the shift lever from moving out of PARK (P) when the ignition is in OFF or in LOCK.
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust CAUTION: CAUTION: Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that can burn. Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. You might have exhaust coming in if: D Your exhaust system sounds strange or different. D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. CAUTION: Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under “Engine Exhaust.” Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Tilt Wheel Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before you drive. You can also raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle. To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the wheel into place.
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator The turn signal has the following positions: two upward (for right) and two downward (for left). These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change. To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically. An arrow on the instrument panel cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change. To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash.
Flash-to-Pass Feature Windshield Wipers This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off. You control the windshield wipers by turning the band marked WIPER. For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the band on MIST longer.
Windshield Washer Cruise Control At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for several sweeps and then either stop or return to your preset speed. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index. With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See “Traction Control System” in the Index. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on. Setting Cruise Control CAUTION: Resuming a Set Speed Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control Using Cruise Control on Hills There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control: How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Exterior Lamps The lamp controls are located on the instrument panel. If you pull the knob out halfway, it will turn on your parking lamps and your other operating lamps. If you pull the knob all the way out, your headlamps will then come on. Push the knob in all the way to turn off the lamps. A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door when you turn the ignition switch to OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY with the lamps on.
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be lit up either. When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal lamps will turn off and your vehicle’s headlamps and parking lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will also come on. When it’s bright enough outside, your headlamps will go off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
3. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While holding the door lock switch, cycle the headlamp switch on and then off two times. 4. Release the power door lock switch. These operations must be carried out in a time period of less than 10 seconds, followed by a delay period of no more than 10 seconds. Fog Lamps To turn the fog lamps on, press the fog lamps button located below the headlamp knob on the left side of the steering column. 5. Then, press and hold the power door unlock switch.
Cornering Lamps Illuminated Entry The cornering lamps are designed to come on when you signal a turn. This will provide more light for cornering at night. Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Interior Lamps If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it’s open and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after you close it.
Delayed Entry Lighting Delayed Exit Lighting Delayed entry lighting lights your vehicle’s interior for a period of time after all the doors have been closed. This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time after the ignition key is removed from the ignition. The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting to work.
Perimeter Lighting Perimeter lighting provides a period of exterior vehicle lighting as the driver and passengers approach the vehicle. Perimeter lighting is only activated when the function is enabled, the doors are closed, the ignition is in OFF and the security feedback feature is in Mode 3 or 4. (See “Security Feedback” in the Index for more information.) The vehicle headlamps and back-up lamps are then activated for a period of 25 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned to RUN.
Battery Rundown Protection Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from draining the battery in case you accidentally leave the interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor vanity lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove box lamps on. If you leave any of these lamps on, they will automatically turn off after 20 minutes, if the ignition is in OFF.
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStarR and Map Lamps (If Equipped) Electrochromic Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) This mirror has a lever located at the bottom of the mirror between the two map lamps. This lever is used to change the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind you while driving at night, turn the lever 90 . To return the mirror to the day position, return the lever to its original position.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the electrochromic feature off, press the button in the center of the mirror again. There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the mirror. Each lamp is turned on and off by pressing the button next to the lamp. To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Power Outside Foldaway Mirrors The power mirror controls are located near the driver’s side window, on the armrest. Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle. These mirrors can also be folded rearward manually. This feature is particularly useful in automatic car washes and when maneuvering your vehicle in narrow spaces. Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger’s side mirror is convex.
Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) Center Console With this feature, the driver’s side outside mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled by the on and off settings on the electrochromic automatic dimming rearview mirror. (See “Electrochromic Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror” earlier in this section.) The left and right outside mirrors are also heated when you activate the rear window defogger. (See “Rear Window Defogger” in the Index.
Rear Storage Armrest (If Equipped) If your vehicle is equipped with a split folding rear seat it will also be equipped with a rear storage armrest. To access the rear storage armrest, pull down on the cloth strap located toward the top of the center back seat cushion. To open, pull up on the lever at the end of the armrest and lift. You will then have access to the storage compartment and dual oversized cupholders. Trunk Convenience Net (If Equipped) Your vehicle may have a convenience net.
Ashtrays and Lighter The center front ashtray is located just below the instrument panel’s comfort controls at the front of the console, behind the front compartment storage door. To remove the ashtray, open the storage door. Then open the small black door, lift up on the ashtray and pull it out. The rear ashtray is located within a small door at the rear of the console. Push on the right side of the door. The ashtray will then pivot to the right for usage.
Auxiliary Power Outlet Certain power auxiliary plugs may not be compatible to the power auxiliary outlet and could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see your dealer for additional information on the power accessory plugs. NOTICE: Adding some electrical equipment to your vehicle can damage it or keep other things from working as they should. This wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop) Your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power connection. It is located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, under the glove box, and is labeled with a wire function and fuse rating. This feature provides power, ground and accessory wires which can be accessed to add aftermarket electrical equipment to your vehicle. For information on accessing the connection and electrical hookup, please refer to your service manual.
OnStarR System (If Equipped) OnStar is a vehicle communications system that offers a variety of services and provides a hands-free communication link between you and the OnStar Center. A service subscription agreement and fee are required in order to receive OnStar service. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, call 1-888-ONSTAR-7 (1-888-667-8277). Emergency Button: In an emergency situation, press the emergency service button.
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar button to attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection is made, the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make sure that the system is functioning properly. If you cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Premium Services (Includes Safety and Security Services) D Route Support -- An advisor can provide directions or guidance to anywhere you want to go. In addition, they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas, ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more. D Concierge Services -- The concierge advisor can obtain tickets, reservations, or help with vacation/trip planning and other unique items and services.
Sunroof (If Equipped) Your vehicle may be equipped with an express-open sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a one-piece sunshade. The control switch works only when the ignition or retained accessory power is on. See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index. The control switch is located overhead on the headliner. To open the sunroof to the vent position only, push and hold the front of the switch. You will need to open the sunshade by hand.
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System The main components of the instrument panel are the following: A. Lamp Controls E. Vents B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever F. Side Window Defog Vent C. Instrument Panel Cluster G. Hood Release D. Steering Wheel Audio Controls H. Tilt Wheel (If Equipped) I. Horn 2-62 J. Audio System K. Ashtray L. Climate Control M. Glove Box N.
Instrument Panel Clusters The instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.
United States with Driver Information Center version shown, Canada similar 2-64
Speedometer and Odometer The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven in either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers (used in Canada). If the button is pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in the trip odometer mode, it will be reset to zero. If the button is pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in the odometer mode, it will have no effect.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights come on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index. This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and it will flash for a few seconds.
Charging System Light The charging system light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition, as a check to show you it’s working. Then it should go out. Brake System Warning Light Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well. If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index. Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light CAUTION: United States Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake system warning light is on.
Traction Control System Warning Light D If the traction control system is affected by an engine-related problem, the system will turn off and the warning light will come on. D With Full-Range Traction Control, if there is a base brake problem, the system will turn off and the light will come on. If the traction control system warning light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
The low traction light also comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the traction control system is active. Engine Coolant Temperature Light This light tells you that your engine coolant has overheated or your radiator cooling fan is not working. The light will come on briefly when your ignition is turned on to show you that it is working.
Low Coolant Warning Light If the LOW COOLANT light comes on, your system is low on coolant and the engine may overheat. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can. The light will come on briefly when your ignition is turned on to show you that it is working properly. Low Tire Light The low tire inflation monitor system can alert you to a large change in the pressure in one tire.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light) Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission control systems. This system is called OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on and a chime will sound to indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired. This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of two ways: D Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and may damage the emission control system on your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required.
Are you low on fuel? Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. See “Filling Your Tank” in the Index. It will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
Oil Pressure Light If you have a problem with your oil, this light may stay on after you start your engine, or come on when you are driving. This indicates that oil is not going through your engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine could be low on oil or could have some other oil problem. Have it fixed right away. The oil light could also come on in the following situations: D The light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition to show you that is is working properly.
Low Oil Level Light Change Oil Soon Light Your engine is equipped with an oil level monitoring system. When the ignition key is turned on, the LOW OIL light will come on briefly. The CHANGE OIL SOON light should come on briefly as a bulb check when you start the engine. If the light doesn’t come on, have it serviced. If the light does not come on briefly, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
Security Light Service Vehicle Soon Light The SECURITY light will come on when you turn the key to START and stay on until the vehicle starts. It will also flash if your ignition key is too dirty or wet for the PASS-KeyRII system to read the resistor pellet. See “PASS-Key II” in the Index. The SERVICE VEHICLE SOON light will come on if you have certain non-emission related vehicle problems. If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will come on.
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light The DOOR/TRUNK light will come on if your trunk or any door is not completely closed. Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left when the ignition is on. When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little fuel left, but you should get more soon. Here are four things that some owners ask about. All these things are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage: D At the gas station, the pump shuts off before the gage reads full.
Low Fuel Light Driver Information Center (Option) The Driver Information Center (DIC), located below the tachometer on the instrument panel cluster, gives you important safety and maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on, the entire center lights up for just a few seconds. United States Canada If your fuel is low, a circular light on your instrument panel cluster will come on and stay on and a chime will sound periodically until you add fuel.
The English/Metric (E/M), RESET and MODE buttons for the Driver Information Center are located to the left of the steering wheel, just below the instrument panel cluster. E/M: Press this button to change the display from English to metric units or metric to English. RESET: Press this button for one second to reset the mode displayed. MODE: Press this button to change the mode being displayed. 3800 V6 Engine Control Buttons The Driver Information Center has three buttons that control its functions.
Modes AVG ECON: Shows your average fuel economy since you last reset this mode. Average fuel economy is viewed as a long term approximation of your overall driving and driving conditions. To learn the average fuel economy from a new starting point, press the RESET button while the average fuel economy is displayed in the DIC. INSTANTANEOUS FUEL ECONOMY: Shows your current fuel economy.
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
Comfort Controls Dual ComforTemp t Climate Control With this system, the driver and passenger can maintain separate temperatures. The system works best if you keep your windows closed while using it. If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. See “Maintenance Schedule” or “Passenger Compartment Air Filter” in the Index.
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this setting unless the outside temperature is below 40_F (4_C). (Even when the compressor is running, you can control the temperature.) VENT: This setting brings in outside air and directs it through the instrument panel outlets. BI-LEV: This setting brings in outside air and directs it two ways.
Air Conditioning On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the vehicle to cool down. For a quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX with the temperature levers all the way in the blue area. If this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in your vehicle may become too dry. For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the temperature levers in the blue area. The system will bring in outside air and cool it.
Automatic Control For the most efficient operation, you should set the system temperature and press AUTO. The system will select the best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you comfortable. The air conditioning compressor will run if the outside temperature is above 40_F (4_C). You may notice a delay of two to three minutes before the fan comes on at start up in cool weather. Temperature Control The TEMP switch sets the temperature for the entire system when the light on the DUAL button isn’t lit.
Passenger’s Temperature Control The PASSENGER CONTROL buttons with the arrows adjust the temperature on the passenger’s side so that it is warmer or cooler than the temperature for the driver’s side. Push the DUAL button so that the indicator light is lit. Press the right arrow button to raise the temperature. Press the left arrow button to lower the temperature. The display will not show the passenger’s temperature, only that of the driver.
Manual Control If you prefer to manually control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your vehicle, you can select airflow direction, fan speed, outside or recirculated air, air compressor and temperature operation with the following: AIR FLOW: This control has several settings to control the direction of airflow when the system is not in AUTO.
RECIRC: This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle. This setting is not permitted in FRONT defrost mode and is only permitted in WINDSHIELD/FLOOR mode if the compressor is turned on. The indicator light will be lit when recirculation is engaged, but will light for one second and then turn off if selected when not permitted. Defogging and Defrosting Operating the climate control system in the RECIRC mode may cause fogging of the vehicles windows when the weather is cold and damp.
Rear Window Defogger NOTICE: Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license or decal across the defogger grid. NOTICE: t Dual ComforTemp Climate Control Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control t Don’t use a razor blade or anything else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window.
Ventilation Tips Ventilation System Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the vents. D Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. D When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the mode knob or button to FLOOR and the fan to the highest speed for a few seconds before driving off.
Audio Systems Your audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your audio system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it. AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control Setting the Clock Press and hold HRS until the correct hour appears.
Playing the Radio VOLUME: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease the volume. RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock. To change what is normally shown on the display (station or time), press this button until you see the display you want, then hold the button until the display flashes.
P SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to the first preset station, stop for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station. Press P SCAN again to stop scanning. If a preset station has weak reception, the radio will not stop at the preset station.
Playing a Cassette Tape D E11: The tape is broken. Try a new tape. The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you hear nothing or hear a garbled sound, the tape may not be in squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be corrected, please contact your dealer.
SIDE (5): Press this button to change the side of the tape that is playing. D (6): Press this button to reduce background noise. The double-D symbol will appear on the display. AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
Playing the Radio VOLUME: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume. RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock. To change what is normally shown on the display (station or time), press the RECALL button until you see the display you want, then hold the RECALL button until the display flashes.
P SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to the first preset station, stop for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station. Press P SCAN again to stop scanning. If a preset station has weak reception, the radio will not stop at the preset station. AUTO SET: Press this button and the system will seek and set the 12 strongest FM or the 6 strongest AM stations on your preset buttons.
Playing a Cassette Tape D E11: The tape is broken. Try a new tape. The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you hear nothing or hear a garbled sound, the tape may not be in squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be corrected, please contact your dealer.
SIDE (5): Press this button to change the side of the tape that is playing. RAND (6): Press this button to reduce background noise. The double-D symbol will appear in the display. Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. SOURCE: Press this button to change to the tape or disc function when the radio is on.
PREV (1): Press this button to go to the start of the current track, if more than eight seconds have played. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving back through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. NEXT (2): Press this button to go to the next track. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. RECALL: Press this button to see which track is playing.
Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCKR is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed. If THEFTLOCK is active, the THEFTLOCK indicator will flash when the ignition is off. The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display. 2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display. 3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree with your code. 4. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree with your code. 5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code you have written down.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel. SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to tune to the next or previous radio station. If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the player will advance to the next or previous selection. SCAN: Press the SCAN button and SCAN will appear on the display. SCAN works as the PSCAN button on your radio.
Understanding Radio Reception To help avoid hearing loss or damage: AM D Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting. D Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate properly or may cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every 50 hours of use.
Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the side without writing when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
On cars equipped with the rear window defogger and built-in antenna, the defogger grid serves as a radio antenna. Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting to the back glass. The metallic film in some tinting materials will interfere with or distort the incoming radio reception. Care must be taken when cleaning the rear window because breaks in the resistive material heating element will adversely affect radio performance and defogger performance. See your dealer for details.
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. The obvious way to solve the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if the driver plans to drive? It’s a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem.
Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. In some other countries, it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent. The BAC will be over 0.
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know.
Control of a Vehicle Braking You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road. Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard. Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. Using Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
This light should come on briefly when you start the engine. If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, there’s a problem with your traction control system. To turn the system off, press the TRACTION button on the black panel located directly behind your automatic transaxle shift lever. See “Traction Control System Warning Light” in the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (3800 V6 Engine) Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Control System that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system reduces engine power and may also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin. This light will come on when your Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin.
To turn the system on or off, press the TRACTION button on the black panel located directly behind your automatic transaxle shift lever. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Magnetic Variable Effort Steering When you turn the system off, the Traction Control System warning light will come on and stay on.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate.
Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem.
Off-Road Recovery Passing You may find that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again.
D Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. D When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close.
Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Driving at Night Here are some tips on night driving. D Drive defensively. D Don’t drink and drive. D Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. D Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. D Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. D In remote areas, watch for animals. D If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
CAUTION: Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally. Hydroplaning Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE: If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Driving Through Flowing Water CAUTION: Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
City Driving Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: D Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. D Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. See the next part, “Freeway Driving.” D Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
Freeway Driving The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Buick dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit.
Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. D Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. D Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.
Winter Driving Here are some tips for winter driving: D Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. D You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your trunk. 4-28 Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a couple of reflective warning triangles.
Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful. What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index. If You’re Caught in a Blizzard D Allow greater following distance on any slippery road. D Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice.
D Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful. CAUTION: Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes. Loading Your Vehicle Recreational Vehicle Towing Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
CAUTION: Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle. The other label is the Certification label, found on the rear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases, tools, packages or anything else -- they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going. CAUTION: Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. D Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a trunk, put them as far forward as you can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. D Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Buick Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33136 Detroit, MI 48232-5136 In Canada, write to: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires Safety Chains Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label (found inside the trunk lid) or see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue. You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer Parking on Hills When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you: D Start your engine; D Shift into a gear; and D Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks. Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
Section 5 Problems on the Road Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers Press the switch located on top of the steering column to make your front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in; they even work if the key isn’t in the ignition. To turn off the flashers, press the switch again. When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won’t work. Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police know you have a problem.
Jump Starting If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. But please use the following steps listed below to do it safely. If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low voltage, there are two override access slots that will allow you to override the park lock system. See “Shift Lock Release” in the Index. CAUTION: Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because: D They contain acid that can burn you.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems. To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in the jump start procedure.
CAUTION: 5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on each battery. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal. The terminal is on the same side of the engine compartment as your battery. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, squeeze the sides of the red plastic cap and pull the cap upward.
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged too. Before you connect the cables, here are some basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-) or a heavy, unpainted metal engine part. Don’t connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too.
9. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery’s negative (-) terminal. Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative (-) cable doesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy, unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. 10. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move.
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do the following: 1. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the heavy, unpainted metal engine part on the vehicle that had the dead battery. 2. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the negative (-) terminal on the vehicle with the good battery. 3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle. Jumper Cable Removal A.
Towing Your Vehicle Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if you need to have your vehicle towed. See “Roadside Assistance” and “Recreational Vehicle Towing” in the Index. Engine Overheating You will find a coolant temperature gage and a hot engine warning light on your instrument panel. See “Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index. You also have a LOW COOLANT warning light on your instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine CAUTION: Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before you open the hood. If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned.
NOTICE: If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off. If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by your warranty. See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index. If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Cooling System When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see: CAUTION: An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don’t do anything else until it cools down. A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans B. Radiator Pressure Cap C.
CAUTION: Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle. NOTICE: Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty. See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank NOTICE: If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOLR engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information. In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant and the proper coolant mixture.
CAUTION: You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine. When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the COLD mark, start your vehicle. If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool before you do it.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator NOTICE: Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could cause your engine to overheat and be severely damaged. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. 5-16 1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops.
CAUTION: You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine. 3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield to access the bleed valve. A. Clean the area around the engine oil fill tube and cap before removing. Twist the oil fill tube, with cap attached, counterclockwise and remove it. B. If you have the supercharged engine, remove the nut in the center of the cover shield.
4. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed valve. If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the valve after the radiator is filled. 6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine and the compartment. 7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield. A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from the valve cover. There is one bleed valve. It is located on the thermostat housing. 5.
8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD mark on the coolant recovery tank. 9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but leave the radiator pressure cap off. 10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine cooling fans. 11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If a Tire Goes Flat It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Changing a Flat Tire If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers. CAUTION: Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Set the parking brake firmly. 2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P). 3. Turn off the engine.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk. 1. Turn the center nut on the compact spare cover counterclockwise to remove it. Then lift and remove the cover. (See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index for more information about the compact spare.) 2. Remove the spare tire.
3. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the jack and wrench. The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A), extension and protection guide (B) and wheel wrench (C).
Wheel Center Caps Wheel Covers To remove a center cap, use the wrench to pry gently at the notch. Don’t use a tool that is narrower than the wrench to pry at this notch. Then pry off the cap. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers, be sure to use a wheel wrench to begin the process of loosening the plastic wheel nut caps. Once you have loosened the plastic nut caps with the wheel wrench, if needed, you can finish loosening them with your fingers.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire CAUTION: Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack. CAUTION: 1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts. Don’t remove them yet. 2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack lift head.
3. For jacking at the vehicle’s front location, put the jack lift head (C) about 6 inches (15 cm) from the rear edge of the front wheel opening (B) or just behind the two bolts (A) as shown. For jacking at the vehicle’s rear location, put the jack lift head (B) about 5 inches (13 cm) from the front edge of the rear wheel opening (C) or just behind the off-set (A) as shown. 4. Put the compact spare tire near you.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces and spare wheel. CAUTION: 5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground for the spare tire to fit under the vehicle. 6. Remove all wheel nuts and take off the flat tire. 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 wheel could come off and cause an accident.
CAUTION: Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident. 8. Install the spare tire. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub. 9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
10. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown. NOTICE: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification. CAUTION: Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools CAUTION: Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. After you’ve put the compact tire on your vehicle, you’ll need to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools A. Retainer B. Cover CAUTION: Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as you can. See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index.
Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure your spare tire is correctly inflated.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow NOTICE: In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as “rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must use caution. Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service Doing Your Own Service Work Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
CAUTION: You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it. D Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. D Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other fasteners. “English” and “metric” fasteners can be easily confused. If you use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt.
It is recommended that the gasoline meet specifications which were developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and endorsed by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association for better vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could provide improved driveability and emission control system performance compared to other gasolines. In Canada, look for the “Auto Makers’ Choice” label on the fuel pump.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your emission control system performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on.
Filling Your Tank CAUTION: Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from gasoline. While refueling, let the cap hang by the tether below the fuel fill opening. To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
CAUTION: If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way. Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as possible.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container CAUTION: Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others: D Dispense gasoline only into approved containers. D Do not fill a container while it is inside a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or on any surface other than the ground.
Hood Release To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle, located just below the instrument panel and to the left of the steering column. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
Engine Compartment Overview When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 engine, you’ll see: 6-10
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir B. Battery H. Engine Oil Dipstick C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal I. Engine Oil Fill Cap D. Underhood Electrical Center (Passenger’s Side) J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick E. Radiator Pressure Cap K. Brake Fluid Reservoir F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank L.
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine, you’ll see: 6-12
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir B. Battery H. Engine Oil Dipstick C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal I. Engine Oil Fill Cap D. Underhood Electrical Center (Passenger’s Side) J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick E. Radiator Pressure Cap K. Brake Fluid Reservoir F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
Checking Engine Oil Engine Oil If the LOW OIL light appears on the instrument panel, it means you need to check your engine oil level right away. For more information, see “Low Oil Level Light” in the Index. 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. You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level. 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 down, and check the level. When to Add Engine Oil If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you’re through. What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by looking for the starburst symbol. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in the following chart: SAE 10W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60_F (16_C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold, you should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE: Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by your warranty. GM GoodwrenchR oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle. If you are in an area where the temperature falls below -20_F (-29_C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil.
t How to Reset the GM Oil Life System What to Do with Used Oil After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset. Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer? 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 clothing or rags containing used engine oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter The engine air cleaner/filter is located underneath a diagonal brace on the driver’s side of the engine. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter: Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air filter. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index. CAUTION: Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off can cause you or others to be burned.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter The passenger compartment air filter is located underneath your hood just below the windshield wiper arm, on the passenger’s side (underneath the air inlet grille) of the vehicle. The filter traps most of the pollen from the air entering the air conditioning module. Like your engine’s air cleaner filter, it may need to be changed periodically. For information on how often to change the passenger compartment air filter, see “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index.
6. Remove the air inlet grille. Supercharger Oil 7. Remove the passenger compartment air filter. Unless you are technically qualified and have the proper tools, you should let your dealer or a qualified service center perform this maintenance. 8. Then replace the old air filter with the new one. For the type of filter to use, see “Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts” in the Index. 9. Reposition the air inlet grille. 10. Reinstall the air inlet grille retainers. 11. Reattach the hood weatherstrip. 12.
How to Check and Add Oil Automatic Transaxle Fluid Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the engine to cool two to three hours after running. When to Check and Change A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level is when the engine oil is changed. CAUTION: If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while the engine is hot, pressure may cause hot oil to blow out of the oil fill hole. You may be burned. Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the 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. NOTICE: Too much or too little fluid can damage your transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: The automatic transaxle fluid dipstick handle is the red loop located toward the rear of the engine. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. 3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area. 4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way. 1.
How to Add Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index. If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick. 1. Pull out the dipstick. 2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill.
Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOLR engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOLR extended life coolant. The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
What to Use Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOLR coolant which won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you don’t need to add anything else. 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 mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture.
If this LOW COOLANT light comes on and stays on, it means you’re low on engine coolant. Checking Coolant The engine coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle at the back of the engine compartment. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD mark or a little higher.
CAUTION: Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a little -- when the engine and radiator are hot. CAUTION: You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol, and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Power Steering Fluid When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired. How to Check Power Steering Fluid Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down, wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezing. Adding Washer Fluid When the engine compartment is hot, the level should be at the HOT mark. If the fluid is at the ADD mark, you should add fluid.
See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. Brakes Brake Fluid NOTICE: D When using concentrated washer fluid, D D D follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water. Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all. So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
NOTICE: D Using the wrong fluid can badly damage D brake system parts. For example, just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your brake system can damage brake system parts so badly that they’ll have to be replaced. Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid. If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately. See “Appearance Care” in the Index.
NOTICE: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in costly brake repair. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble. Brake Adjustment Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Battery Vehicle Storage Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free ACDelcoR battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement number shown on the original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco battery. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for battery location. If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery from running down.
Bulb Replacement Headlamps In this section, you’ll find directions for changing the bulbs in some of the lamps on your vehicle. See “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to find the type of bulb you should use. 1. Open the hood. For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this section, contact your dealer’s service department. Halogen Bulbs CAUTION: Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or others could be injured.
6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn and remove it from the lamp. 7. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical connector and pull the connector from the headlamp bulb socket. 8. Connect the new headlamp bulb to the wiring harness, making sure the connector tab snaps into place. 9. Insert the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly. 10. Reverse all steps to reassemble the headlamp assembly, then check the lamps. 5. Remove the rubber access cover (from behind the bulb you are replacing).
Headlamp Aiming Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been pre-set at the factory and should need no further adjustment. This is true even though your vertical and horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the “0” (zero) marks on their scales. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp aim may be affected.
Driver’s Side Headlamp Shown Passenger’s Side Headlamp Shown A. Vertical Aim Adjustment Screw A. Horizontal Aim Adjustment Screw B. Horizontal Aim Adjustment Screw B. Horizontal Block Index Plate Open the hood and locate the vertical and horizontal aim indicators. The aiming screw for the vertical aim indicator (A) is at the center of the headlamp cover and the aiming screw for the horizontal aim indicator is on the outboard side of the headlamp cover (B). C.
Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the vertical aim. Center High-Mounted Stoplamp 1. Open the trunk. 1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the indicator is lined up with zero. 2. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the level bubble is lined up with zero. Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamps 1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the removal procedure earlier in this section. 2. Remove the rubber bulb access cover. 3.
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps 3. Remove the old bulb by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket. 5. Turn the bulb one-quarter turn clockwise to reinstall. 6. Close the trunk. 1. Remove the three plastic wing nuts (A). (Pliers may be required to remove the wing nuts.) There is one wing nut located on the outside of the carpet. The other two are located underneath the carpet. 2. Pull the taillamp housing (B) away from the body of the vehicle.
3. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the socket counterclockwise. 4. Pull out the socket. 5. Pull the old bulb out of the socket. (There are two bulbs on each taillamp.) 1. Open the trunk lid halfway. 2. Remove the wing nuts (A) from the studs on the applique. (There are eight wing nuts. Pliers may be required to remove them.) 3. Remove the applique from the trunk lid. 6. Push in a new bulb. 4. Turn the sockets (B) counterclockwise. 7. Reverse these steps to reinstall the lamp assembly. 5.
Back-Up Lamps The back-up lamps are located in the trunk lid applique. (Refer to the trunk lid applique removal procedure earlier in this section for further instructions.) 1. Remove the trunk lid applique. 2. Twist and pull the back-up lamp socket from the trunk lid applique. 3. Twist and pull the old bulb from the back-up lamp socket. 4. Twist and push the new bulb into the back-up lamp socket. 5. Twist and push the back-up lamp socket into the trunk lid applique. 6. Reinstall the trunk lid applique.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade Check” in the Index for more information. 1. Turn on the wipers to LO. 2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades are more accessible for removal/replacement while in this position. 3. Pull the windshield wiper arm 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) away from the windshield. 4.
Tires Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see your Buick Warranty booklet for details. CAUTION: (Continued) D Underinflated tires pose the same danger CAUTION: Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. D Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much friction. You could have an air-out and a serious accident.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the inside of the trunk lid, shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). NOTICE: Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’s not.
Tire Inflation Monitor System The tire inflation monitor system can alert you to a large change in the pressure of one tire. The system “learns” the pressure at each tire throughout the operating speed range of your vehicle. The system normally takes between 45 and 90 minutes of driving to learn the tire pressures. This time may be longer depending on your individual driving habits. Learning need not be accumulated during a single trip.
To reset (calibrate) the system: Tire Inspection and Rotation 1. Turn the ignition switch to RUN. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for more information. 2. Then press and hold the RESET button for about five seconds.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation. When It’s Time for New Tires After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading Information label. Reset the Tire Inflation Monitor system. See “Tire Inflation Monitor System” in the Index. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
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.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Treadwear Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
Temperature -- A, B, C Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces. If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle. CAUTION: Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
Tire Chains NOTICE: If your vehicle has P225/60R16 size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle because there’s not enough clearance. Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle and tire size combination and road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s instructions. To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your wheels.
Appearance Care Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space. When you use anything from a container to clean your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. And always open your doors or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Here are some cleaning tips: D D D D Always read the instructions on the cleaner label. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set. Carefully scrape off any excess stain. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn. Special Fabric Cleaning Problems Stains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine and blood can be removed as follows: 1.
Cleaning Vinyl Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel Use warm water and a clean cloth. Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield and even make it difficult to see through the windshield under certain conditions. D Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may have to do it more than once.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index. Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss retention and durability. Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle.” Washing Your Vehicle The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or replaced to restore 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 car washing system can do this for you.
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials PART NUMBER 994954 1050172 1050173 1050174 1050214 1050427 SIZE 23 in. x 25 in. 16 oz. (0.473 L) 16 oz. (0.473 L) 16 oz. (0.473 L) 32 oz. (0.946 L) 23 oz. (0.680 L) 1052918** 8 oz. (0.237 L) DESCRIPTION Polishing Cloth – Wax Treated Tar and Road Oil Remover Chrome Cleaner and Polish White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Vinyl Cleaner Glass Cleaner t Protectant Armor All Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner 1052929 16 oz. (0.473 L) Wheel Cleaner 1052930 8 oz. (0.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Engine Identification The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This code will help you identify your engine, specifications and replacement parts. Service Parts Identification Label You’ll find this label on the inside of the trunk lid. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is: This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the driver’s side.
Electrical System Headlamp Wiring Add-On Electrical Equipment The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in the underhood electrical center. An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens, have your headlamp system checked right away. NOTICE: Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle unless you check with your dealer first. Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical problems. Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size and rating.
Fuse Description Fuse Description PARK LOCK Ignition Key Solenoid Blank Not Used Blank Not Used Blank Not Used Blank Not Used Blank Not Used PCM, BCM, U/H RELAY Ignition Signal: Hot in Run and Start, Powertrain Control Module, Body Control Module, Underhood Relay INADV POWER BUS Interior Lamps, Retained Accessory Power DOOR LOCKS Door Locks RADIO PREM.
Fuse Description Fuse Description STOP LAMPS Stoplamps Blank Not Used BCM ACC Ignition Signal: Hot in ACC and Run, Body Control Module Blank Not Used LOW BLOWER Low Blower ABS Anti-Lock Brakes TURN SIGNALS, CORN LPS Turn Signals, Cornering Lamps RADIO, HVAC, RFA, CLUSTER Radio, HVAC Head, Remote Keyless Entry, Cluster HIGH BLOWER High Blower RH HEATED SEAT Passenger’s Heated Seat STRG WHL CONT Audio Steering Wheel Controls WIPER Wipers ONSTAR OnStarR FRT PARK LPS Parking Lamps
Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger’s Side Some fuses and relays are located in the underhood electrical center on the passenger’s side of the engine compartment. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location.
Mini relay Description Mini fuse Description 9 Cooling Fan 2 20 Air Pump (Optional) 10 Cooling Fan 3 21 Generator 11 Starter Solenoid 22 ECM 12 Cooling Fan 1 23 A/C Compressor Clutch 13 Ignition Main 24 Cooling Fan 14 Air Pump (Optional) 25 Electronic Ignition Mini relay Description 26 Transaxle 15 A/C Clutch 27 Horn 16 Horn 28 Fuel Injector 17 Fog Lamps 29 Oxygen Sensor 18 Fuel Pump, Speed Control (L67 only) 30 Engine Emissions 19 Fuel Pump 31 Fog Lamps 3
Mini fuse 34 Parking Lamps 35 Fuel Pump 36 Headlamp (Left) 37 Spare 38 Spare 39 Spare 40 Spare 41 Spare 42 Spare 43 Fuse Puller SYMBOL 6-72 Description A/C Compressor Clutch Diode Replacement Bulbs Exterior Lamps Bulb Number Back-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1156 Center High-Mounted Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3155 Front Parking/Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4157NAK Headlamp, High Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications Automatic Transaxle Pan Removal and Replacement . . . 7.4 quarts (7.0 L) After Complete Overhaul . . . . . 10.0 quarts (9.5 L) When draining/replacing converter, more fluid will be needed. Cooling System Including Reservoir 3800 V6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7 quarts (11.0 L) 3800 Supercharged V6 . . . . . . . 11.7 quarts (11.0 L) Refrigerant, Air Conditioning . . See the refrigerant label under the hood. Engine Crankcase Oil and Filter Change . . . . . . . . . 4.
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . ACDelcoR Type A1208C Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . 10406026 Battery 3800 V6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACDelcoR Type 690 CCA 3800 Supercharged V6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACDelcoR Type 770 CCA Engine Oil Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACDelcoR Type PF47 Radiator Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACDelcoR Type RC27 Remote Keyless Entry Batteries . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety, dependability and emission control performance.
Introduction Your Vehicle and the Environment Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the environment. All recommended maintenance procedures are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle.
How This Section is Organized This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts: “Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows what to have done and how often. Some of these services can be complex, so unless you are technically qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should let your dealer’s service department or another qualified service center do these jobs. CAUTION: Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be seriously injured.
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services Using Your Maintenance Schedule 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.
Scheduled Maintenance The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles (166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km). See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” following. Footnotes [ The U.S.
Scheduled Maintenance Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Reset the system. The system will show you when to change the oil -- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Scheduled Maintenance 7-7
Scheduled Maintenance 7-8
Scheduled Maintenance 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if necessary. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.) j Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Scheduled Maintenance 30,000 Miles (50 000 km) j Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may require replacement more often. j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) j Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission Control Service.
Scheduled Maintenance 45,000 Miles (75 000 km) j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if necessary. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.) j Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may require replacement more often. j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.
Scheduled Maintenance 52,500 Miles (87 500 km) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) j Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty j j j j conditions, the filter may require replacement more often. For supercharged engines only: Check the supercharger oil level and add oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first).
Scheduled Maintenance 67,500 Miles (112 500 km) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) 75,000 Miles (125 000 km) j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if necessary. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.) j Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Scheduled Maintenance 90,000 Miles (150 000 km) j Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may require replacement more often. j Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission Control Service. j For supercharged engines only: Check the supercharger oil level and add oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first). See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in this section. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.) j Rotate tires.
Scheduled Maintenance 100,000 Miles (166 000 km) j Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control Service. j Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service. j Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions: – In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F (32_C) or higher. – In hilly or mountainous terrain. – When doing frequent trailer towing. – Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Part B: Owner Checks and Services Listed in this part are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety, dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle. Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once. Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in Part D.
At Least Twice a Year Restraint System Check Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
At Least Once a Year Starter Switch Check Key Lock Cylinders Service Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Part D. Body Lubrication Service Lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for the body doors, hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, console door and any folding seat hardware. Part D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check CAUTION: When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be injured. Follow the steps below. 1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level surface. 3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check CAUTION: When you are doing this check, your vehicle could begin to move. You or others could be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the parking brake.
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection Listed in this part are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s service department or other qualified service center do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Engine Cooling System Inspection Brake System Inspection Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended at least once a year. Inspect the complete system.
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your dealer. USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT Engine Oil Engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol of the proper viscosity. To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT Supercharger Supercharger Oil (GM Part No. 12345982). See “Supercharger Oil” in the Index. Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, SuperlubeR (GM Part No. 12346241 or equivalent). Weatherstrip Conditioning Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579 or equivalent). Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor and Release Pawl 7-24 LubriplateR Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No.
Part E: Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval. Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can be added on the following record pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record DATE 7-26 ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-27
Maintenance Record DATE 7-28 ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects.
Customer Satisfaction Procedure STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a member of dealership management. Normally, concerns can be quickly resolved at that level. If the matter has already been reviewed with the sales, service or parts manager, contact the owner of the dealership or the general manager.
When contacting Buick, please remember that your concern will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility. That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have a concern. STEP THREE -- Both General Motors and your dealer are committed to making sure you are completely satisfied with your new vehicle. However, if you continue to remain unsatisfied after following the procedure outlined in Steps One and Two, you should file with the GM/BBB Auto Line Program to enforce any additional rights you may have.
Customer Assistance Offices Buick encourages customers to call the toll-free number for assistance. If a U.S. customer wishes to write to Buick, the letter should be addressed to Buick’s Customer Assistance Center. United States Buick Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33136 Detroit, MI 48232-5136 1-800-521-7300 1-800-832-8425 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs)) Roadside Assistance: 1-800-252-1112 From: Puerto Rico: 1-800-496-9992 (English) 1-800-496-9993 (Spanish) U.S.
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities Roadside Assistance This program, available to qualified applicants, can reimburse you up to $1,000 toward aftermarket driver or passenger adaptive equipment you may require for your vehicle (hand controls, wheelchair/scooter lifts, etc.). This program can also provide you with free resource information, such as area driver assessment centers and mobility equipment installers.
Our commitment to Buick owners has always included superior service through our network of Buick dealers. Buick Roadside Assistance provides an extra measure of convenience and security. Buick’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is staffed by a team of technically trained advisors, who are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing minor repair information over the phone or making arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest Buick dealer.
While we hope you never have the occasion to use our service, it is added security while traveling for you and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call away. Buick Roadside Assistance -- 1-800-252-1112, text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-888-889-2438. Canadian Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Canada or the United States.
Shuttle Service Participating dealers can provide you with shuttle service to get you to your destination with minimal interruption of your daily schedule. This includes a one way shuttle ride to a destination up to 10 miles from the dealership. Requirements vary and may include minimum age requirements, insurance coverage, credit card, etc.
Canadian Vehicles: For warranty repairs during the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty, alternative transportation may be available under the Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult your dealer for details.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediately notify Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to: Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street Tower C Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5 8-10 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
2001 BUICK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order, or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.
ORDER TOLL FREE (NOTE: For Credit Card Holders Only) 1-800-551-4123 (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST) FAX Orders Only 1-313-865-5927 2 0 0 1 PUBLICATION FORM NUMBER Orders will be mailed within 10 days of receipt. Please allow adequate time for postal service. If further information is needed, write to the address shown below or call 1-800-551-4123. Material cannot be returned for credit without packing slip with return information within 30 days of delivery.
