Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Target Audience:
Consumers seeking comfortable, spacious, and refined American luxury transportation.
Primary Competitors:
Lincoln Continental, Cadillac DeVille, Chrysler New Yorker, Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight/Ninety-Eight.
Luxury Appointments:
Focus on ride comfort, quiet cabin, spacious interior, premium materials.
Powertrain Options:
Available V8 engines emphasizing smooth power delivery.
Systems Covered:
Includes Safety Seats, Seat Belts, Supplemental Airbags, Instruments and Controls, Pre-driving Checks, Heater, Air Conditioner, Audio Systems, Starting and Driving, Emergency Procedures, Service, Appearance and Care, Maintenance, DIY Procedures, Technical and Consumer Information.
Estimated Page Count:
Approximately 200-300 pages (typical for 1998 GM owner's manuals)
Engine Systems:
Operation, fluid checks, basic troubleshooting.
Transmission Systems:
Operation, fluid level checks.
Braking Systems:
Operation, dashboard indicators.
Electrical Systems:
Fuse box locations, basic operation of lights, wipers, power accessories.
Climate Control:
HVAC system operation, controls, and basic maintenance.
Safety Restraint:
Seat belt operation, child seat installation, airbag system explanation.
Infotainment Audio:
Radio operation, speaker layout, antenna.
Instrumentation:
Dashboard gauges, warning lights, indicator functions.
Driving Operations:
Starting the engine, shifting gears, parking, driving in various conditions.
Pre Drive Checks:
Fluid level checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid), tire pressure checks.
Maintenance Schedule:
Recommended service intervals for oil changes, filter replacements, fluid flushes, and inspections.
Do It Yourself:
Basic maintenance tasks like bulb replacement, wiper blade replacement, battery terminal cleaning, tire inflation.
Emergency Procedures:
What to do in case of a breakdown, flat tire, overheating, or accidents.
Care And Appearance:
Cleaning recommendations for interior and exterior, paint care.
Depth:
Covers owner-level operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Does not provide detailed diagnostic procedures or complete repair instructions typically found in a service manual.
Engine Type Base:
3.8L (231 cid) Series II Supercharged V6 (L32)
Engine Type Optional:
4.6L (281 cid) Northstar V8 (L37)
Horsepower Base:
240 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque Base:
280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Horsepower Optional:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque Optional:
300 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel Delivery Base:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Delivery Optional:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Recommended Fuel:
Unleaded Premium (91 octane recommended for Northstar, 87 octane acceptable for Supercharged V6 but premium recommended for optimal performance).
Transmission Type:
4-speed automatic transaxle (4T80-E)
Transmission Type Optional:
N/A (4-speed automatic was standard across all trims)
Transmission Control:
Driver-selectable modes (e.g., 'Performance' or 'Economy').
Length:
Approximately 207.0 inches
Width:
Approximately 74.4 inches
Height:
Approximately 55.1 inches
Wheelbase:
Approximately 117.0 inches
Front Headroom:
Approximately 39.7 inches
Front Legroom:
Approximately 42.0 inches
Rear Headroom:
Approximately 38.0 inches
Rear Legroom:
Approximately 39.4 inches
Trunk Volume:
Approximately 17.3 cubic feet
Curb Weight Base:
Approximately 3,600 - 3,700 lbs
Curb Weight Optional:
Approximately 3,800 - 3,900 lbs (with Northstar V8)
NHTSA Frontal Impact Driver:
4-star (as per available data for the era)
NHTSA Frontal Impact Passenger:
4-star (as per available data for the era)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags.
Seatbelts:
Three-point front and rear seat belts.
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH system not standard, relies on seat belt securing child seats.
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with cassette and optional CD player, premium sound systems available (e.g., Bose).
Display Type:
Analog gauges and basic radio display. No central infotainment screen.
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control.
Traction Control:
Available on some models, particularly with the Northstar V8.
Connectivity Features:
No integrated Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity. Standard analog audio input might be present for aftermarket devices.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (or longer with synthetic oil, per manual recommendations).
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles.
Coolant Flush Interval:
Typically every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 (Consult manual for specific recommendations for both engine variants)
Engine Oil Capacity V6:
Approximately 4.5 quarts (with filter)
Engine Oil Capacity V8:
Approximately 4.5 quarts (with filter)
Coolant Type:
Dex-Cool (Orange) or equivalent 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Transmission Fluid Type:
Dexron III (or equivalent)
Power Steering Fluid Type:
GM Power Steering Fluid or Dexron III
Common Issues Engine:
Head gasket leaks (especially early Northstar engines), intake manifold gasket leaks, power steering pump leaks, EGR valve issues.
Common Issues Transmission:
Some instances of torque converter shudder or transmission solenoid issues.
Common Issues Suspension:
Worn control arm bushings, sagging rear air suspension (if equipped, though less common on base models).
Common Issues Electrical:
HVAC blower motor resistor failure, power window motor issues, gauge cluster problems.
Brand History:
Buick, established in 1899, has a long-standing reputation for building comfortable and well-appointed American vehicles, often positioned as a bridge between mainstream Chevrolet and premium Cadillac.
Park Avenue History:
The Park Avenue nameplate originated as a trim level on the Electra starting in 1975. It became a standalone model in 1991, representing Buick's flagship luxury sedan. The 1997-2005 generation (P320) was a significant redesign based on GM's G platform, offering improved styling and technology.
Manufacturing Location:
Detroit, Michigan, USA (Hamtramck Assembly Plant)
Production Years Generation:
1997-2005
