🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Buick

Model:

Park Avenue

Year:

2003

Generation Code:

GMX310 (Third Generation)

Vin Prefix:

1G4 (General Motors)

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Full-size Luxury Sedan

Brand Perception:

Targeted at a more mature demographic seeking comfort, quietness, and a refined driving experience, often positioned as a more traditional luxury choice.

Key Competitors:

Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler 300M (and its predecessors), Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DeVille, Toyota Avalon.

Interior Comfort:

Emphasis on spacious, comfortable interiors with high-quality materials, quiet cabin insulation, and smooth ride quality.

Powertrain:

Typically offered with robust V6 and V8 engines focused on smooth power delivery and cruising performance.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

All aspects of 2003 Buick Park Avenue operation, maintenance, and features.

Secondary Coverage:

Safety defect reporting (U.S. only), cleaning recommendations, part numbers, refill capacities, lubricant specifications.

Estimated Page Count:

300-400 (typical for this era's owner's manuals)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine compartment details, engine oil, battery, fuel information, air filter(s), refill capacities, lubricant specifications.

Interior:

Instrument cluster, entertainment systems, climate controls, locks and security, seating and safety restraints.

Exterior:

Lights, driver controls, accessories.

Operation:

Driving instructions, operating climate controls, using entertainment systems, understanding instrument cluster.

Maintenance:

Routine checks (oil, coolant, tires), fluid checks and refills, air filter replacement, battery care.

Troubleshooting:

Basic guidance for common warning lights or system malfunctions, although detailed diagnostics are typically in a service manual.

Safety:

Operation of safety restraints, child seat installation guidance, understanding safety features.

Depth:

Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on user operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable due to OCR from original manual.

Quality:

Digital reproduction of original factory manual, quality dependent on original printing.

Binding:

N/A (Digital PDF)

Paper:

N/A (Digital PDF)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

3.8L V6 (Supercharged and Naturally Aspirated options)

Engine Code Na:

L36

Engine Code Sc:

L67

Horsepower Na:

205 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque Na:

230 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

Horsepower Sc:

240 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque Sc:

280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended, higher octane for Supercharged may improve performance)

Layout:

Front-engine, Front-wheel drive (FF)

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

4-speed automatic (4T65E)

Optional Transmission:

None for 2003 model year.

Transmission Features:

Driver Shift Control (column shifter with manual mode option on some trims), electronic controls.

Fluid Type:

Dexron III or Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid

📐 Dimensions

Length:

203.3 inches

Width:

73.9 inches

Height:

56.7 inches

Wheelbase:

113.8 inches

Passenger Volume:

Approx. 107.5 cubic feet

Trunk Volume:

Approx. 16.1 cubic feet

Curb Weight Na:

Approx. 3700-3800 lbs

Curb Weight Sc:

Approx. 3800-3900 lbs

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Frontal Driver:

5-Star (1998-2003 models)

NHTSA Frontal Passenger:

5-Star (1998-2003 models)

NHTSA Side Driver:

4-Star (1998-2003 models)

NHTSA Side Rear Passenger:

4-Star (1998-2003 models)

IIHS Frontal Offset:

Good (though some reports indicate potential for increased driver injury in earlier iterations of the platform)

Traction Control:

Traction Control System (TCS) standard on all models.

ABS:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard.

Airbags:

Front airbags, front side-impact airbags.

Seat Belts:

Three-point seat belts with pretensioners.

Child Seat Anchors:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Bose premium audio system often available, AM/FM stereo with CD player, cassette player.

Climate Control:

Dual-zone automatic climate control, rear climate outlets.

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control.

Parking Assist:

Optional Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist (URPA).

Telematics:

OnStar telematics system available on some models.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (with synthetic oil). Consult manual for specific recommendations based on driving conditions.

Tire Rotation Interval:

Every 7,500 miles

Coolant Flush Interval:

Initially at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (using Dex-Cool coolant).

Engine Oil Type:

SAE 3.8L V6: 5W-30 (API Certified)

Engine Oil Capacity:

4.5 quarts (with filter change)

Coolant Type:

GM P/N 12378396 (Dex-Cool Orange) or equivalent.

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3

Common Problems:

Intake manifold gasket leaks (lower intake manifold), radiator end tank leaks, power steering leaks, occasional transmission issues (particularly with higher mileage), window regulator failures, and HVAC blend door actuator failures.

Oil Filter Example:

AC Delco PF1218 or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment)

Air Filter Example:

AC Delco A1832C or equivalent (check specific application for exact fitment)

📚 Vehicle History

Brand History:

Buick, a division of General Motors, has a long history of producing comfortable, refined, and often luxurious vehicles, appealing to a more mature and affluent customer base.

Park Avenue History:

The Park Avenue nameplate has been used by Buick since the 1970s, evolving from a trim level of the Electra to a standalone model. The 2003 model represents the third generation of the modern Park Avenue, which debuted for the 1997 model year, based on the GM G-body platform.

Production Location:

Fairfax, Kansas, USA

Production Years Generation:

1997-2005