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Introduction
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Market Position
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Segment:
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Full-size Luxury Sedan
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Brand Image:
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Buick positioned as a comfortable, quiet, and stylish American luxury marque.
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Competitive Analysis
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Key Competitors 1994:
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Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DeVille/Fleetwood, Chrysler New Yorker, Toyota Cressida (in some markets).
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Key Features
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Comfort Focus:
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Emphasized a smooth ride, quiet cabin, and spacious interior for comfortable long-distance travel.
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Powertrain Availability:
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Standard V6 engine, known for its balance of power and efficiency.
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Styling:
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Classic American luxury sedan styling with a dignified presence.
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Manual Coverage
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Systems Covered
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Powertrain:
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Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system, ignition system, drivetrain components (FWD).
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Chassis:
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Suspension (front/rear), steering system, braking system (ABS information).
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Electrical:
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Lighting system, instrument panel, gauges, warning indicators, audio system, power accessories (windows, locks, seats), climate control system.
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Body:
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Doors, windows, locks, mirrors, seats, seat belts, airbags, interior trim, exterior lighting.
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Procedures Included
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Operation:
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Starting and driving, parking, fuel filling, operation of climate control, audio system, and other features.
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Maintenance:
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Recommended maintenance schedules, fluid checks and top-offs (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks, filter replacements (air, oil, fuel).
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Diy:
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Limited do-it-yourself tasks such as bulb replacement, wiper blade replacement, checking fluid levels.
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Safety:
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Seat belt usage, airbag system information, child restraint systems, safe driving practices, emergency procedures.
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Towing:
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Towing considerations, trailer wiring, load capacity information.
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Technical Depth
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Depth:
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Owner-level information focusing on operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions.
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Engine Specifications
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Primary Engine
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Engine Code Displacement:
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3.8L (3800 cc) V6
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Engine Name:
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Buick 3800 V6 (Series I)
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Engine Configuration:
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Overhead Valve (OHV), Naturally Aspirated
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Performance
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Horsepower Gross:
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Approx. 170 hp @ 4800 rpm
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Torque Gross:
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Approx. 220 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
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Fuel System
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Fuel Delivery:
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Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI) / Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
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Fuel Type:
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Unleaded Gasoline, 87 Octane (or higher)
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Engine Management
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Ignition Type:
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Distributorless Ignition System (DIS) or Distributor-based ignition depending on sub-variant.
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Cooling System
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Coolant Type:
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GM P/N 1052855 (Green, Ethylene Glycol based) or equivalent.
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Coolant Capacity:
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Approx. 14.0 quarts (13.2 liters)
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Safety Features
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Ratings
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NHTSA Front Crash Rating:
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4-star rating (driver) / 4-star rating (passenger) in frontal impact tests from NHTSA for comparable models of this era.
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IIHS Front Offset Rating:
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Likely 'Acceptable' or 'Good' in frontal offset tests conducted by IIHS for comparable models.
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Active Features
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ABS:
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Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
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Traction Control:
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Optional Traction Control System (TCS)
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Passive Features
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Airbags:
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Driver and front passenger airbags
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Seat Belts:
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Front and rear seat belts, front shoulder belts with energy management system.
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Child Restraints:
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Provisions for child seat anchors (LATCH not present in this generation).
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Maintenance
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Service Intervals
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Oil Change Interval:
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Every 7,500 miles or 6 months (using synthetic oil), or 3,000 miles/3 months (conventional oil), whichever comes first. Consult manual for specific driving conditions.
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Air Filter Replacement:
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Inspect every 7,500 miles, replace as needed (typically every 15,000-30,000 miles).
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Spark Plug Replacement:
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Refer to manual; typically around 100,000 miles for platinum-tipped plugs if equipped, or 30,000 miles for standard plugs.
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Coolant Flush Interval:
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Initial flush at 5 years/50,000 miles, then every 2-3 years/30,000 miles thereafter.
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Fluid Specifications
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Engine Oil Specification:
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API SJ or higher, SAE 5W-30 recommended (check manual for specific viscosity based on temperature).
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Engine Oil Capacity:
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Approx. 4.5 quarts (4.3 liters) with filter change.
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Brake Fluid Specification:
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DOT 3
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Power Steering Fluid Type:
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GM Power Steering Fluid P/N 1050017 or Dexron III ATF.
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Known Issues
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Common Problems V6 3800:
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Intake manifold gasket leaks (common on Series I 3800), occasional issues with the 4T60-E transmission electronics, fuel pump failures, water pump leaks.
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Suspension Wear:
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Front end components (ball joints, tie rods) can wear over time due to the vehicle's weight, requiring inspection.
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Electrical Gremlins:
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Older vehicles can experience minor electrical issues related to switches, sensors, or aging wiring harnesses.
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Vehicle History
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Brand Heritage
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Buick Legacy:
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Buick has a long history of producing comfortable and upscale American vehicles, often targeting an older demographic seeking refinement.
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Model Evolution
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Park Avenue Lineage:
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The Park Avenue nameplate has been used by Buick since the 1970s, evolving from a premium trim level to a standalone model, representing Buick's flagship offering.
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1991 Redesign:
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The 1991 model year saw a significant redesign, moving to the GM H-body platform, which this 1994 model is part of. This generation emphasized smoother styling and improved aerodynamics compared to its predecessor.
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Production
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Manufacturing Plant:
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Likely assembled at GM's Lake Orion Assembly Plant (Michigan) or Fairfax Assembly Plant (Kansas), common for this platform.
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Production Years
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Third Generation Years:
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1991-1996
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