Vehicle Segment:
Full-size luxury sedan
Target Audience:
Affluent consumers seeking comfort, quietness, and traditional American luxury
Key Competitors 1995:
Lincoln Continental, Cadillac DeVille/Seville, Chrysler LHS/New Yorker
Defining Characteristics:
Smooth ride, quiet cabin, spacious interior, emphasis on comfort and luxury amenities
Unique Selling Points:
Optional supercharged engine (Ultra), Magnetic Ride Control (on later models, but not 1995 base)
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system
Drivetrain:
Transmission operation (automatic), drivetrain components
Chassis:
Braking system, steering system, suspension system
Electrical:
Lighting system, instrumentation, audio system, climate control system, power accessories
Safety Systems:
Seat belts, Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system (airbags), child seat installation
Body And Trim:
Door locks, windows, mirrors, seats, interior lighting, exterior lighting, wipers, convertible top (if applicable, though not for this model)
Operation:
Pre-driving checks, starting and driving, parking, operating controls and instruments
Maintenance:
Routine maintenance schedule, fluid level checks, tire inflation, basic checks
Care:
Vehicle appearance and care (cleaning, interior care)
Emergency:
Emergency procedures, changing a flat tire, jump starting, towing information
Depth:
Owner-level diagnostics and maintenance, basic troubleshooting, user-level adjustments and features
Engine 1 Displacement:
3.8L (3800 cc)
Engine 1 Type:
Naturally Aspirated V6
Engine 1 Bore X Stroke:
3.80 in x 3.40 in (96.5 mm x 86.4 mm)
Engine 1 Compression Ratio:
8.5:1
Engine 1 Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4400 rpm
Engine 1 Torque:
220 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Engine 2 Displacement:
3.8L (3800 cc) Supercharged
Engine 2 Type:
Supercharged V6
Engine 2 Horsepower:
205 hp @ 4400 rpm
Engine 2 Torque:
275 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type Recommended:
87 Octane Unleaded Gasoline
Ignition System:
Distributorless Ignition System (DIS)
Length:
207.1 inches (5260 mm)
Width:
74.4 inches (1890 mm)
Height:
55.1 inches (1400 mm)
Wheelbase:
110.8 inches (2814 mm)
Front Headroom:
39.3 inches (998 mm)
Front Legroom:
42.3 inches (1074 mm)
Rear Headroom:
38.1 inches (968 mm)
Rear Legroom:
38.9 inches (988 mm)
Trunk Volume:
Approximately 17.5 cubic feet (496 L)
Curb Weight Std Engine:
Approximately 3600-3700 lbs (1633-1678 kg)
Curb Weight Supercharged:
Approximately 3700-3800 lbs (1678-1724 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Refer to vehicle data plate
Standard Wheel Size:
15-inch alloy
Optional Wheel Size:
16-inch alloy (Ultra trim)
Standard Tire Size:
P215/70R15
Optional Tire Size:
P225/60R16 (for 16-inch wheels)
Bolt Pattern:
5 x 115 mm (5 x 4.53 inches)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating:
Driver: 4-star, Passenger: 4-star (for 1995 models, approximate)
ABS:
Standard on all models (Anti-lock Braking System)
Traction Control:
Optional on some models, check specific vehicle
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint - SIR)
Seat Belts:
Three-point front and rear seat belts
Child Seat Anchors:
Provision for child seat installation (refer to manual for proper placement)
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with cassette player, optional CD player, optional premium sound system (e.g., Bose)
Climate Control:
Manual or Automatic Climate Control (Dual-zone optional on Ultra)
Early Connectivity:
N/A (No integrated Bluetooth or navigation systems in 1995)
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 - 5,000 miles or 3-6 months, depending on driving conditions (refer to manual for exact guidance)
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual; typically around 100,000 miles for platinum-tipped plugs on the 3800 Series I
Coolant Flush Interval:
Every 2 years or 30,000 miles (typical for conventional coolant)
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 (API SG or SH certified)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approximately 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) with filter change
Coolant Type:
GM P/N 1052840 (Green) or Dex-Cool (Orange) if the system was converted, though Dex-Cool was not standard in '95.
Common Wear Items:
Intake manifold gaskets (on certain GM 3800 V6 variants, though less common on the Series I), coolant elbows (plastic fittings), power steering pump leaks, suspension components (bushings, struts)
Electrical Gremlins:
Can occur with age; issues with sensors, wiring harnesses, and accessory modules are possible.
Engine Reliability:
The naturally aspirated 3800 V6 (Series I) is generally robust and reliable with proper maintenance.
Supercharger Considerations:
The supercharged version offers more power but can be more prone to certain issues if not maintained, such as belt tensioner wear.
Buick Legacy:
Long-standing reputation for comfort, quietness, and V8 power (though this era focused on V6 efficiency and refinement)
Park Avenue Lineage:
Evolved from the LeSabre platform, positioned as a premium, large sedan offering luxury and comfort
1995 Updates:
Generally a carry-over year for the second-generation Park Avenue, with minor styling and feature tweaks.
Platform:
H-body (GM's G-body rear-wheel drive platform shared with Chevrolet Caprice, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, etc. - *Correction*: The 1995 Park Avenue is on the GM W-body platform, not the H-body. The H-body designation is for large RWD GM sedans like the Caprice. The W-body is FWD.)
Manufacturing Location:
GMC's Willow Run plant, Ypsilanti, Michigan (typically)
