🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Buick Model: Park Avenue Year: 2003 Generation Generation Code: GMX310 (Third Generation) Codes Vin Prefix: 1G4 (General Motors) 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Full-size Luxury Sedan Brand Perception: Targeted at a more mature demographic seeking comfort, quietness, and a refined driving experience, often positioned as a more traditional luxury choice. Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler 300M (and its predecessors), Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DeVille, Toyota Avalon. Key Features Interior Comfort: Emphasis on spacious, comfortable interiors with high-quality materials, quiet cabin insulation, and smooth ride quality. Powertrain: Typically offered with robust V6 and V8 engines focused on smooth power delivery and cruising performance. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Primary Coverage: All aspects of 2003 Buick Park Avenue operation, maintenance, and features. Secondary Coverage: Safety defect reporting (U.S. only), cleaning recommendations, part numbers, refill capacities, lubricant specifications. Page Count Estimated Page Count: 300-400 (typical for this era's owner's manuals) Manual Type Type: Owner's Manual Language Language: English Format Format: Digital PDF 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain: Engine compartment details, engine oil, battery, fuel information, air filter(s), refill capacities, lubricant specifications. Interior: Instrument cluster, entertainment systems, climate controls, locks and security, seating and safety restraints. Exterior: Lights, driver controls, accessories. Procedures Included Operation: Driving instructions, operating climate controls, using entertainment systems, understanding instrument cluster. Maintenance: Routine checks (oil, coolant, tires), fluid checks and refills, air filter replacement, battery care. Troubleshooting: Basic guidance for common warning lights or system malfunctions, although detailed diagnostics are typically in a service manual. Safety: Operation of safety restraints, child seat installation guidance, understanding safety features. Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on user operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: PDF Searchability: Likely text-searchable due to OCR from original manual. Print Quality Quality: Digital reproduction of original factory manual, quality dependent on original printing. Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital PDF) Paper Type Paper: N/A (Digital PDF) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Type: 3.8L V6 (Supercharged and Naturally Aspirated options) Engine Code Na: L36 Engine Code Sc: L67 Performance Horsepower Na: 205 hp @ 5200 rpm Torque Na: 230 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm Horsepower Sc: 240 hp @ 5200 rpm Torque Sc: 280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm Fuel System Fuel Delivery: Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) Fuel Type: Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended, higher octane for Supercharged may improve performance) Engine Compartment Layout: Front-engine, Front-wheel drive (FF) 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Type: 4-speed automatic (4T65E) Optional Optional Transmission: None for 2003 model year. Features Transmission Features: Driver Shift Control (column shifter with manual mode option on some trims), electronic controls. Fluid Specifications Fluid Type: Dexron III or Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length: 203.3 inches Width: 73.9 inches Height: 56.7 inches Wheelbase: 113.8 inches Interior Passenger Volume: Approx. 107.5 cubic feet Cargo Trunk Volume: Approx. 16.1 cubic feet Weights Curb Weight Na: Approx. 3700-3800 lbs Curb Weight Sc: Approx. 3800-3900 lbs 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Frontal Driver: 5-Star (1998-2003 models) NHTSA Frontal Passenger: 5-Star (1998-2003 models) NHTSA Side Driver: 4-Star (1998-2003 models) NHTSA Side Rear Passenger: 4-Star (1998-2003 models) IIHS Frontal Offset: Good (though some reports indicate potential for increased driver injury in earlier iterations of the platform) Active Features Traction Control: Traction Control System (TCS) standard on all models. ABS: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard. Passive Features Airbags: Front airbags, front side-impact airbags. Seat Belts: Three-point seat belts with pretensioners. Child Seat Anchors: LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Bose premium audio system often available, AM/FM stereo with CD player, cassette player. Climate Control: Dual-zone automatic climate control, rear climate outlets. Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Standard cruise control. Parking Assist: Optional Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist (URPA). Connectivity Telematics: OnStar telematics system available on some models. 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change Interval: Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (with synthetic oil). Consult manual for specific recommendations based on driving conditions. Tire Rotation Interval: Every 7,500 miles Coolant Flush Interval: Initially at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (using Dex-Cool coolant). Fluid Specifications Engine Oil Type: SAE 3.8L V6: 5W-30 (API Certified) Engine Oil Capacity: 4.5 quarts (with filter change) Coolant Type: GM P/N 12378396 (Dex-Cool Orange) or equivalent. Brake Fluid Type: DOT 3 Known Issues Common Problems: Intake manifold gasket leaks (lower intake manifold), radiator end tank leaks, power steering leaks, occasional transmission issues (particularly with higher mileage), window regulator failures, and HVAC blend door actuator failures. Part Numbers Oil Filter Example: AC Delco PF1218 or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment) Air Filter Example: AC Delco A1832C or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment) 📚 Vehicle History Brand Heritage Brand History: Buick,...
Targeted at a more mature demographic seeking comfort, quietness, and a refined driving experience, often positioned as a more traditional luxury choice.
Competitive Analysis
Key Competitors:
Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler 300M (and its predecessors), Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DeVille, Toyota Avalon.
Key Features
Interior Comfort:
Emphasis on spacious, comfortable interiors with high-quality materials, quiet cabin insulation, and smooth ride quality.
Powertrain:
Typically offered with robust V6 and V8 engines focused on smooth power delivery and cruising performance.
📋 Manual Details
Coverage Areas
Primary Coverage:
All aspects of 2003 Buick Park Avenue operation, maintenance, and features.
Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on user operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Type:
PDF
Searchability:
Likely text-searchable due to OCR from original manual.
Print Quality
Quality:
Digital reproduction of original factory manual, quality dependent on original printing.
Binding Type
Binding:
N/A (Digital PDF)
Paper Type
Paper:
N/A (Digital PDF)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Type:
3.8L V6 (Supercharged and Naturally Aspirated options)
Engine Code Na:
L36
Engine Code Sc:
L67
Performance
Horsepower Na:
205 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque Na:
230 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Horsepower Sc:
240 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque Sc:
280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Fuel System
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended, higher octane for Supercharged may improve performance)
Engine Compartment
Layout:
Front-engine, Front-wheel drive (FF)
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type:
4-speed automatic (4T65E)
Optional
Optional Transmission:
None for 2003 model year.
Features
Transmission Features:
Driver Shift Control (column shifter with manual mode option on some trims), electronic controls.
Fluid Specifications
Fluid Type:
Dexron III or Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length:
203.3 inches
Width:
73.9 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Interior
Passenger Volume:
Approx. 107.5 cubic feet
Cargo
Trunk Volume:
Approx. 16.1 cubic feet
Weights
Curb Weight Na:
Approx. 3700-3800 lbs
Curb Weight Sc:
Approx. 3800-3900 lbs
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Frontal Driver:
5-Star (1998-2003 models)
NHTSA Frontal Passenger:
5-Star (1998-2003 models)
NHTSA Side Driver:
4-Star (1998-2003 models)
NHTSA Side Rear Passenger:
4-Star (1998-2003 models)
IIHS Frontal Offset:
Good (though some reports indicate potential for increased driver injury in earlier iterations of the platform)
Active Features
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) standard on all models.
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard.
Passive Features
Airbags:
Front airbags, front side-impact airbags.
Seat Belts:
Three-point seat belts with pretensioners.
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Bose premium audio system often available, AM/FM stereo with CD player, cassette player.
OnStar telematics system available on some models.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (with synthetic oil). Consult manual for specific recommendations based on driving conditions.
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles
Coolant Flush Interval:
Initially at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (using Dex-Cool coolant).
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 3.8L V6: 5W-30 (API Certified)
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.5 quarts (with filter change)
Coolant Type:
GM P/N 12378396 (Dex-Cool Orange) or equivalent.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3
Known Issues
Common Problems:
Intake manifold gasket leaks (lower intake manifold), radiator end tank leaks, power steering leaks, occasional transmission issues (particularly with higher mileage), window regulator failures, and HVAC blend door actuator failures.
Part Numbers
Oil Filter Example:
AC Delco PF1218 or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment)
Air Filter Example:
AC Delco A1832C or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment)
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Brand History:
Buick, a division of General Motors, has a long history of producing comfortable, refined, and often luxurious vehicles, appealing to a more mature and affluent customer base.
Model Evolution
Park Avenue History:
The Park Avenue nameplate has been used by Buick since the 1970s, evolving from a trim level of the Electra to a standalone model. The 2003 model represents the third generation of the modern Park Avenue, which debuted for the 1997 model year, based on the GM G-body platform.