Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Target Audience:
Consumers seeking comfortable, spacious, and refined American luxury transportation.
Key Competitors:
Lincoln Continental, Cadillac DeVille, Chrysler New Yorker
Interior Comfort:
Spacious cabin, comfortable seating, quiet ride.
Ride Quality:
Emphasis on smooth and composed ride, often utilizing Northstar suspension tuning.
Premium Appointments:
Available leather upholstery, wood trim accents, enhanced sound insulation.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system
Drivetrain:
Automatic transmission operation, torque converter
Chassis:
Braking system, steering system, suspension system
Electrical:
Lighting systems, instrument cluster, power accessories, basic electrical troubleshooting (fuse locations)
Climate Control:
HVAC system operation, automatic climate control (if equipped)
Interior Features:
Seating adjustments, seatbelts, airbags (if equipped), audio system, interior lighting
Exterior Features:
Door locks, windows, mirrors, wipers, convertible top operation (if applicable to specific model variant)
Basic Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid), tire inflation, checking lights
Do It Yourself:
Minor tasks such as changing wiper blades, replacing bulbs, jump-starting the vehicle
Safety:
Seat belt usage, child restraint system installation, airbag system warnings, emergency procedures
Towing:
Towing considerations, trailer wiring information (basic)
Troubleshooting Basic:
Identification of warning lights, basic operational issues
Depth:
Owner-level understanding of vehicle features and basic operation; does not cover in-depth mechanical or electrical repair diagnostics.
Engine Code:
L27 (3800 Series I)
Configuration:
3.8L (3800 cc) V6
Aspiration:
Naturally Aspirated
Horsepower Est:
170 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque Est:
220 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended)
Optional Engine:
L36 (3800 Series II V6 - not typically available in '93 Park Ave, but a common upgrade path).
Northstar Option:
Some '93 Park Avenues, particularly the Ultra model, might have been equipped with the 4.9L V8 (L29) or the early 4.6L V8 (LUC) Northstar engine. This manual would cover the specific engine fitted to the vehicle.
NHTSA Front Crash Driver:
Likely 4-star (based on era and vehicle type)
NHTSA Front Crash Passenger:
Likely 4-star (based on era and vehicle type)
Brakes:
Front disc, rear drum (standard); optional front and rear disc brakes (ABS)
Traction Control:
Optional on some models (e.g., Ultra)
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags standard
Seatbelts:
Three-point seatbelts with pretensioners in the front
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with cassette player, optional CD player. Premium sound systems available.
Climate Control:
Manual or optional automatic climate control (ECC - Electronic Climate Control).
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) available as an option, especially on higher trims.
Onstar:
OnStar was not available in 1993.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 - 7,500 miles or 6-12 months, depending on driving conditions and oil type (consult manual for specifics).
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles.
Transmission Fluid Change:
Check manual for specific interval, often around 30,000 - 60,000 miles or under severe service.
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.5 quarts (with filter) for the 3800 V6
Engine Oil Viscosity:
SAE 5W-30 recommended for most conditions
Coolant Type:
Dex-Cool (GM's orange coolant) or a compatible ethylene glycol-based coolant.
Intake Manifold Gaskets:
On the 3800 V6 engines, intake manifold gaskets can be prone to coolant leaks.
Transmission Hard Shifts:
The 4T60-E transmission can sometimes develop hard shifting issues, potentially related to solenoids or fluid condition.
Fuel Pump Reliability:
As with many vehicles of this era, fuel pump reliability can be a concern over time.
Window Regulator Failure:
Power window regulators can fail, leading to windows not operating correctly.
Buick Legacy:
Buick has a long-standing reputation for building comfortable, refined, and technologically advanced American vehicles, often positioned as 'prudent luxury'.
Park Avenue Lineage:
The Park Avenue nameplate has a history dating back to the Electra 225 Park Avenue Custom. The 1991-1996 generation was a significant redesign, moving to the modern GM H-body platform, offering a more sleek and aerodynamic profile.
Manufacturing Location:
Willow Run, Michigan, USA
Production Years For Generation:
1991-1996
