Buick 1997 Skylark User manual

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The 1997 Buick Skylark Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tellsyou how to useyour seats and safety belts properly.It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains howto start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you howto adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and howto operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and howto drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to doif you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you howto keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tellsyou how tocontact Buick for assistance and howto get service and owner publications.
It also givesyou information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-8.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listingof almost every subjectin this manuaI. You can useit to quickly find
something you wantto read.
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GENERAL MOTORS, GMthe GM Emblem, BUICK,
the BUCKEmblem andthe name SKYLARK are
-registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information atthe time it
was printed.We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice.
For
vehicles firstsold in Canada, substitutethe name
"General Motors ofCanada Limited"
for Buick Motor
Division wheneverit appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual
in your Buick, so it will be there
if you ever need it when you're on the road. If you sell
the vehicle, pleaseleavethis manualin it
so thenew
Litho in
U.S.A.
Part No. 25645981 B First Edition
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriktaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en franGais chez
votre concessionaireou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T IC7
@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1996
All Rights Reserved

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I'

Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing
trophies
in 1909 and 19 10, including successes at
Indianapolis
two years before the Indy 500 began.
The success of Buick engines was visible not only on
the race track, butin endurance tests across the country
and around the world. Buick was the only car to
complete a 1,000-mile Chicago-to-NewYork race in
1906. And a Buick was thefirst car to travel across
South America, drivenfrom Buenos Aires, Argentina,
over the Andes to Santiago, Chile
in 1914.
1911 Model 21 TouringCar onBuick’s TestHill
Buick drew plenty of attention because it could climb
hills and
run through mud likeno other car. Buick’s
endurance and reliability were world famous.
During WorldWar I, Buick built Liberty aircraft engines
as well as Red Cross ambulances
so successfully that
oneBuick ambulance was awarded the
Croix de Guerre
by the French government.
As a builderof premier automobiles, Buick was hard
hit
by the Great Depression. However, new General
Manager Harlow H. Curtice created popular new models
including the Special andthe Roadmaster. Buick
sales
soon flourished.
First Buick Factory
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In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and
other military hardware. This post-war period brought
great styling and engineering changes which resultedin
increased sales. The torque converter automatic
transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the
1948
Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along
in 1949.
A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in 1953
And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille
(introduced in 1942) became more massive in the
post-war era.
1953 Skylark
Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special
1949 Roadmaster “Car of the Year.” Thefirstproduction V-6 enginewas
used in the Special.
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1962 Buick Special
Built inside the walls of the-oldbuildings in Buick’s
formerFlint complex, which formedthe cornerstone
of
General Motors, Buick City is a state-of-the-art
assembly facilitywith more than
200 robots and other
high-tech equipment.It was completed
in the fall
of
1985.
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with
smooth power, high performance, rich
detail and comfortable accommodation.
Ed Mertz, GeneralManager,Buick MotorDivision
Our mission is simple:
“Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars
backed with services that exceed our customers’
expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership,
service and repurchase experience.”
Buicks are
SUBSTANTIAL.
Buicks are DISTINCTIVE.
Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks are PREMIUM.
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I
others couldbe hart. ~
You will also find a circle
witb a slash through it in
this book. This safety
~ymb01 mean”‘Don’t,”
“Don’t do this,”’ or “Don’t
let this happen.’’

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
I
I NOTICE:
These mean thereis 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, andit could be
costly. Butthe notice willtell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When
you read other manuals, you mightsee
CAUTION and NOTICE warningsin different
colors or in differentwords.
You’ll alsoseewarning labels
on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or
NOTICE.
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