Target Audience:
Luxury coupe buyers seeking a full-size personal luxury car with front-wheel-drive performance
Segment:
Full-size personal luxury coupe
Primary Competitors:
Oldsmobile Aurora, Cadillac Eldorado, Lincoln Mark VIII
Key Advantage:
Supercharged 3800 V6 paired with GM's premier posture control suspension in a value-priced package
Standout Feature:
Supercharged 3.8L V6 producing 240 horsepower
Notable Equipment:
Dual-zone climate control, heads-up display, Grand Touring suspension option
Instruments and Controls:
Instrument panel, warning lights, gauges, heads-up display operation
Comfort Controls:
Dual-zone automatic climate control operation
Audio Systems:
AM/FM stereo, cassette, CD player operation and settings
Seats and Restraints:
Power seats, seat belts, airbag system information
Windows and Locks:
Power windows, door locks, remote keyless entry
Lighting:
Exterior and interior lamps, twilight sentinel
Driving Features:
Cruise control, tilt steering wheel, mirrors, traction control
Tires and Wheels:
Tire pressure, rotation, replacement guidance
Starting and Operating:
Starting procedures, engine coolant temp, automatic transaxle operation
Scheduled Maintenance:
Factory maintenance schedules for normal and severe service
Fluids and Capacities:
Recommended fluids, lubricants, and fill capacities
Bulb Replacement:
Headlamp, taillamp, and interior bulb replacement procedures
Fuses and Circuit Breakers:
Fuse locations, ratings, and replacement
Wheel Changing:
Flat tire, jacking, and compact spare procedures
Jump Starting:
Battery jump-start procedure with boost locations
Appearance Care:
Cleaning of exterior, interior, fabric, and trim
Depth Level:
Owner-level operation and maintenance guidance, not a repair manual
Specifications:
Engine, transaxle, capacities, and tire specifications included
Parts Information:
Part numbers not included; OEM part references for bulbs and fuses given
Roadside Assistance:
GM Roadside Assistance program information included
Customer Assistance:
Buick customer assistance and reporting safety defects sections
Index:
Complete alphabetical index for quick lookup
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary Engine:
3.8L V6 3800 Series II Supercharged
Induction:
Eaton supercharger with intercooler
Displacement:
3.8 liters (231 cubic inches)
Valvetrain:
OHV, 12 valves
Compression Ratio:
Approximately 8.5:1
Fuel Required:
Premium unleaded recommended
Horsepower:
240 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential port fuel injection
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Approximately 18.5 gallons
Cooling:
Liquid-cooled with aluminum radiator
Crash Test Ratings:
N/A - not stated in owner manual; check NHTSA records
Traction Control:
Standard integrated traction control system
Anti-Lock Brakes:
Standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
Daytime Running Lamps:
Standard
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags
Seat Belts:
Three-point front belts with adjustable shoulder height
Side-Impact Protection:
Steel side-door beams
Security:
Passlock theft-deterrent system, remote keyless entry
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with cassette and optional CD player
Antenna:
Diversity antenna system
Heads-Up Display:
Available heads-up display projecting speed onto windshield
Climate Control:
Dual-zone automatic electronic climate control
Memory Features:
Driver seat and mirror memory settings
Twilight Sentinel:
Automatic headlamp control
OnStar:
N/A - not offered on this model
Oil and Filter Change:
Typically every 7,500 miles under normal service; 3,000 miles severe service
Tire Rotation:
Every 7,500 miles with oil change
Engine Air Filter:
Inspect and replace per maintenance schedule, approximately 30,000 miles
Spark Plugs:
Approximately 100,000 miles (platinum plugs)
Coolant Service:
Inspect at scheduled intervals; drain/refill per schedule
Engine Oil:
SAE 5W-30, API certified
Engine Coolant:
DEX-COOL long-life coolant
Transaxle Fluid:
Dexron-III automatic transmission fluid
Power Steering Fluid:
GM power steering fluid
Brake Fluid:
Delco Supreme 11 (DOT 3)
Known Issues / Common Wear
Supercharger Oil:
Periodic supercharger oil check/top-off recommended
Common Wear Items:
Brake pads, wiper blades, and front suspension bushings
Battery:
Inspect per schedule; side-terminal connections require care
Manufacturer:
Buick, a division of General Motors Corporation
Model Lineage:
Riviera served as Buick's flagship personal luxury coupe for over three decades
Nameplate Origin:
Name first used in 1949 as a trim designation, became a model in 1963
Generation:
1995-1999 redesigned generation with front-wheel-drive, DOHC-then-supercharged V6 power
Final Years:
1998 marked the latter production run of the eighth-generation Riviera
Production Location:
Assembled in the United States by General Motors
Production Run End:
Riviera production ended after the 1999 model year
