🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Buick

Model:

Park Avenue

Year:

1996

Platform:

GM H-body

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

The 1996 Buick Park Avenue was positioned as a flagship full-size luxury sedan, emphasizing comfort, quietness, and a smooth ride for American consumers.

Key Competitors:

Ford Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler New Yorker, Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight/Ninety-Eight, Cadillac DeVille

Luxury Attributes:

Spacious interior, plush seating, advanced (for the time) comfort features, quiet cabin isolation, and a focus on ride quality.

Powertrain Offering:

Offered with a choice of V6 and V8 engines, prioritizing smooth power delivery over outright performance.

Target Audience:

Owners of the 1996 Buick Park Avenue who have lost or misplaced their original owner's manual, or new owners seeking to understand their vehicle's features and maintenance requirements.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Owner's operation, maintenance, and basic care

Secondary Coverage:

Safety features, controls, emergency procedures, and troubleshooting basics

Estimated Page Count:

Approximately 200-300 pages (typical for this era and model)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF Download

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation, starting, driving, fuel system basics

Chassis:

Brakes (operation), steering (operation), suspension (overview)

Electrical:

Instruments, controls, lighting, basic electrical system operation (e.g., fuses, battery)

Comfort And Convenience:

HVAC, audio systems, power features (windows, locks), seating adjustments

Safety Systems:

Seat belts, airbags (supplemental restraint system - SRS)

Instrument Panel:

Identification and function of all gauges, warning lights, and indicators.

Lighting And Visibility:

Operation of headlights, interior lights, turn signals, fog lights (if equipped), and adjustment of mirrors.

Operation:

Pre-driving checks, starting and driving, parking, securing the vehicle

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance intervals, fluid checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid), tire pressure checks, basic care and appearance

Emergency:

In case of emergency (e.g., flat tire, jump starting, overheating, warning lights)

Troubleshooting:

Basic troubleshooting of common issues related to starting, driving, and vehicle systems

Interior Adjustments:

Seat adjustment, steering wheel adjustment (tilt), headrest adjustment.

Depth:

Owner-level understanding and basic maintenance. Does not cover detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable if the PDF was generated from a good OCR process of the original manual

Print Ability:

Printable on standard home/office printers

Binding Type:

N/A (Digital format)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

3.8L V6 (Series II)

Displacement:

231 cu in (3.8 L)

Horsepower:

205 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

230 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

Engine Type:

4.9L V8

Displacement:

301 cu in (4.9 L)

Horsepower:

205 hp @ 4400 rpm

Torque:

270 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Central Port Fuel Injection (SCPI) for V6, Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPFI) for V8

Recommended Fuel:

87 Octane Unleaded Gasoline

ECM:

GM P4 (Powertrain Control Module)

🔧 Transmission

Type:

4-Speed Automatic (4T60-E)

Drive Type:

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

Type:

N/A for 1996 model year

Overdrive:

Yes

Transmission Fluid:

Dexron III (or equivalent)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approximately 207.1 inches

Width:

Approximately 74.1 inches

Height:

Approximately 56.3 inches

Wheelbase:

Approximately 110.8 inches

Front Headroom:

Approximately 39.8 inches

Rear Headroom:

Approximately 38.8 inches

Front Legroom:

Approximately 42.3 inches

Rear Legroom:

Approximately 39.7 inches

Curb Weight:

Approximately 3,600 - 3,800 lbs (depending on engine and options)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Driver:

4/5 Stars (for 1990s era testing standards)

NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Passenger:

4/5 Stars (for 1990s era testing standards)

ABS:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard

Traction Control:

Traction Control System (TCS) available on some models

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags (Supplemental Restraint System - SRS)

Seat Belts:

3-point front and rear seat belts

Child Seat Anchors:

Rear seat belt anchors for child safety seats

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Factory Delco AM/FM stereo with cassette player, optional CD player. Often featured premium speaker systems.

Climate Control:

Automatic Climate Control (optional), manual HVAC systems standard.

Cruise Control:

Standard electronic cruise control

Lighting:

Automatic headlamps (optional), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks.

Original Connectivity:

N/A (No factory integrated Bluetooth or USB connectivity for this era)

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first), or consult manual for specific severe/normal conditions.

Tire Rotation:

Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles

Coolant Flush:

Every 30,000 miles or 2 years

Transmission Service:

Every 30,000 miles (filter and fluid change)

Engine Oil:

SAE 5W-30 (API SG or higher)

Coolant:

GM P/N 10528673 (or equivalent Dex-Cool compatible coolant)

Brake Fluid:

DOT 3

Power Steering Fluid:

Dexron III (or equivalent)

Common Wear Items:

Water pump seals, intake manifold gaskets (3.8L V6), fuel injectors, power window regulators, early transmission valve body issues.

Electrical Gremlins:

Due to age, potential for intermittent electrical issues, sensor failures, and dashboard warning light illumination.

Suspension Components:

Struts, ball joints, and bushings can wear over time, affecting ride quality and handling.

📚 Vehicle History

Buick Legacy:

Buick has a long-standing reputation for building comfortable, refined, and luxurious American automobiles, particularly in the large sedan segment.

Park Avenue Lineage:

The Park Avenue nameplate has a history dating back to the 1970s, evolving through various platforms to represent Buick's premium offerings. The 1990s generation (C/H-body) was a significant redesign focusing on aerodynamics and modern luxury.

Production Era:

1991-1996 (This generation)

Assembly Plant:

Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly (Michigan, USA)

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Initial Reception:

Generally well-received for its comfort and quietness, though often criticized for its dated styling and handling compared to some European or Japanese luxury rivals.

Car And Driver 10Best:

The Park Avenue's platform (H-body) was a basis for vehicles that sometimes appeared on Car and Driver's 10Best list in earlier iterations, though the 1996 specific model may not have achieved that distinction.