1993 BUICK CENTURY heating

The coolant should be at or slightly above the “FULL
HOT” mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very
hot. Don’t touch them. If
you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t
run the engine if there __ a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine fire, and you could be
burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine
fan is running. If the engine is overheating, the fhn
should
be running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tl[)ank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t above
“ADD:’ add a 50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and the proper antifreeze at the
coolant recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index
for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index. \
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262” F (128” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use: Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 1825-Mi’ which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement
(sealer) with any complete coolant change. If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
I
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your coollng system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Mur vehicle’s coolant
warning system
Is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong mlx, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. bur engine could catch
fire and you or others’could be burned. Use a
50/50 mPx of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
: warranty. Too much
l
and crack t
other parts
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n
ACAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people
in a sudden stop or turn, or
In a crash.
* Put things In the trunk or rear area of your
vehicle. In
a trunk, put them as far forward
as you can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
* Never stack heavier things, IPke suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
* When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
* Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle comes with high
quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. These
tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers and their
warranties are delivered with every new Buick. If your spare tire is a different brand than your road tires, you
will have a tire warranty folder from each
of these
manufacturers.
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a ngsult
of too much friction.
Mu could
have an air-out and a serious
accident.
See “Loading bur Vehicle” in the
Index.
* Underlnflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check
all tires
frequently to maintain the recornmended
pressure. Tire pressure should
be checked
when your tires are cold.
* Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken
by a sudden Impact,
such as when you
hit a pothole. Keep tires at
the recommended pressure.
tread
Is badly worn, or If your tlps have
been damaged, replace them.
* Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
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Clock. Setting the ......................... .118. 121. 124
Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
................................. 114
Heating
............... .. ........................ 115
Ventilation
................................. .ll5. 116
Your Buick Comfort Control System
................. 114
Compact Disc Care
................................ 130
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .205. 215. 218
Compartment. Rear Locking Storage
.................. 103
Control of a Vehicle
................................ 146
Convenience Net
.................................. 101
Convex Outside Mirror
.............................. 99
Coolant (See “Engine Coolant”)
Courtesy Lights
.................................... 98
Cruisecontrol
..................................... 91
CupHolder
...................................... 103
Curves. Driving on
................................ 150
Customer Assistance Information ..................... 299
DaytimeR-ngLights
........................... 96
Dead Battery: What to Do
........................... 185
Defensive Driving
................................. 142
Defogger. Rear Window
............................. 115
Defogging Your Windows
............................ 115
Defrosting ........................................ 115
Dimensions
....................................... 269
Doing Your Own Service Work
...................... 222
DoorLoc
ks ....................................... 65
Downshifting
.................................. .79, 167
Driver Position .................................... 30
AtNight
....................................... 155
City .......................................... 162
Controlling a Skid
............................... 154
Defensively
.................................... 142
Drunken
........................................ 143
Freeway
....................................... 163
Hill and Mountain
............................... 166
Hydroplaning
................................... 159
In a Foreign Country
............................. 224
In Fog, Mist and Haze ............................ 160
IntheRain
..................................... 158
LongDistance .................................. 164
Loss of Control ................................. 154
OnCurves
..................................... 150
On Snow or Ice ................................. 172
Passing
......................................... 152
Through Deep Standing Water
....................... 76
Winter Driving
................................... 171
Drunken Driving
.................................. 143
Electrical Equipment,
Adding
................................. 75, 117, 265
Emergencies, Braking in
............................ 149
Emergencies on the Road
........................... 183
Emergencies, Steering in
............................ 151
EmergencyStarting
................................ 185
Emergency Towing ..... .......................... 189
Engine Block Heater
........................... .76, 232
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Engine Coolant .......................... .238. 270. 272
Checking
& Adding ......................... .l95. 239
Proper Mixture
to Use ............................ 239
Safety Warnings About
.................... 110. 195. 201
Temperature Gage
................................ 110
Temperature Warning Light
........................ 110
(see “Engine Coolant”)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
Engine Exhaust
................................ .83. 173
Engine Identification
.............................. -265
Engineoil
....................................... 227
Additives
...................................... 231
Checking
& Adding ................. .227. 270. 272. 292
Crankcase Capacity
.......................... .270. 272
Energy Conserving
.............................. 231
Warning Light
.................................. 107
When to Change
................................ 232
Engine Specifications
......................... .270. 272
Engine. Starting
.................................... 74
Ethanol in Gasoline.
............................... 223
Exhaust Dangerous Gas
in ............................ .83. 173’
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ................. 40
Expressway Driving
............................... 163
Extender. Safety Belt
................................ 60
Disposing of Used Oil ............................ 232
Filter
................................. 232.271. 273
Engine Overheating
............................ 110. 195
Running Engine While Parked
....................... 84
Exterior Appearance (see “Appearance Care”) Fabric
cleaning
(see ‘%Appearance care”)
Fan Warnings
.................... .186. 187. 197. 199. 226
Filling the Fuel Tank
...................... .225. 270. 272
Filter. Oil
................................ 232.271. 273
Finish Damage
................................... 263
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........................... 184
Flat Tire
........................................ 205
Flip-Open Rear Vent Windows
........................ 85
Flooded Engine
.................................... 75
Capacities
..................................... 292
Power Steering
..................... .241. 271. 273. 292
Transaxle
......................... .236. 271. 273. 292
Windshield Washer
...................... .89. 242. 293
Fluids and Lubricants
.............................. 292
Fog. Driving
in ................................... 160
FoldingRearSeats .................................. 18
Freeway Driving
.................................. 163
French Language Manual
............................. 2
Fluid
Brake
..................................... 243. 292
Foreign Counties
.................................... 224
Fuel
............................................ 223
AlcoholinFuel
................................. 223
Capacity
................................... 270. 272
Exhaust Warnings
........................... .83. 173
Filling Your Tank
....................... .225. 270. 272
In Foreign Countries
............................. 224
Mileage Chart
.................................. 320
Gage
.......................................... 107
Requirements . ................................... 223
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octane Requirements (see “Fuel Requirements”)
Odometer
........................................ 106
Oil. Engine ......................... .227. 270. 272. 292
Quality
........................................ 229
Thickness
..................................... 230
UsedOil
...................................... 232
When
to Change ................................ 232
Oil Warning Light
.................................. 107
OperationofLigh
ts ................................. 95
Outside Rearview Mirrors
............................ 99
Overheated Engine
................................ 195
Overheated Engine Coolant Warning Light
.............. 110
P (Park), Shifting Into .................... i ........ 81
Parking
OnHills
....................................... 168
Over Things That Burn
............................ 83
WithaTrailer
................................... 180
With
the Engine Running ........................... 82
ParkingBrake
...................................... 80
Passenger Belts (see “Safety Belts”)
Passing
.......................................... 152
Polishing and Waxing (see “Appearance Care”)
PowerAntenna
.................................... 131
Power Door
Locks ................................. 66
Power Seat Controls ................................ 15
Power Steering Fluid .................. .241. 271. 273. 292
Power Windows
.............................. .85. 268
Pregnancy, Use
of Safety Belts During .................. 40 Problems on the Road
... .......................... 183
Publications (see “Service Publications”)
Radiator Overheating (see “Overheated Engine”)
Radiator Pressure Cap
......................... .199. 241
Radio
(see “Audio Systems”)
Reading Lights
.................................... 97
Rear Seats. Folding ................................. 18
Rear Storage Security Cover
......................... 101
Rear Window Defogger
............................. 115
Rearview Mirrors .................................. 98
Reclining Seatbacks
................................. 15
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .................. 292
Remote Lock Control
............................... 66
Replacement Bulbs ................................ 269
Replacement Fuses
................................ 266
Replacement
Parts ............................ .271. 273
Replacing Safety Belts
............................... 61
Replacing Tires
................................... 254
Replacing Wheels
............................. .256. 257
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 302
Restraints. Child
................................... 47
Restraints, Head
................................... 17
Reverse
.......................................... 77
Roadsigns
....................................... 134
Color
......................................... 134
Pavement Markings
.............................. 141
Shape
......................................... B7
Symbols ....................................... 139
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