Freeway Driving
.. . . :
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most
of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
Entering the Freeway
At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the flow. If traffic is light, you may have no problem. But
if it is heavy, find a gap as you move along the entering
lane and time your approach. Try to merge into the gap
at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your
turn
signal, check your rearvidw mirrors as you move along,
and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try
to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Driving on the Freeway
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in
the right lane unless you want to pass.
If you are on a
two-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slow lane
and
the left lane as the passing lane.
If you are on a three-lane freeway, treat the right lane as
the slower-speed through lane, the middle lane as the
higher-speed through lane, and the left lane as the
passing lane.
Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors.
Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to
make sure there
isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot.
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Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get t\
o
know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the
feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly
so responsive as
your vehicle is by itself.
Before you
start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety
chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller \
by hand to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time. During
your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as fit, behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re
towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer,
you’ll
need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making nrns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Mler
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a
different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re \
about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
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Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
You can get these from your Buick dealer .
DESCRIPTION USAGE PAFlT NUMBER
Magic Mirror Creme Wax ............. Exterior cleaner and polish ......... 12345343
Spray-A-Squeak
..................... Weatherstrips ..................... 1052277
Silicone Grease
..................... Stops squeaks ..................... 1052863
Tar and Road
Oil Remover ............ Also removes old waxes, polishes .... 1050172
Chrome Cleaner and Polish
........... Removes rust and corrosion .......... 1050173
White Sidewall Tire Cleaner
.......... Cleans white and black tires ......... 1050174
VinyULeather Cleaner
............... Spot and stain removal .............. 1050214
Fabric Cleaner
...................... Spot and stain removal .............. 1050244
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
........ Cleans vinyl and cloth, also. tires ...... 1050429
and
mats
latches
Glass Cleaner
....................... Also spot cleans vinyls ............. 1050427
Lubriplate
(Wh~te Grease) ............ For hood. trunk, door hinges and ..... 1052349
Preservatone
.................. .... Vinyl Top Dressing ................ 1051055
Washer Solvent
..................... Windshield-washing system .......... 1051515
Spot Lifter
........................ For cloth ........................ 105l398*
Wash-Wax (concentrate)
.............. Exterior Wash ..................... 1052870
SIZE
16 oz . (0.473L)
12 oz . (0.354L)
1
oz . (0.02Skg)
16 oz . (0.473L)
16
oz . (0.473L)
16
oz . (0.473L)
32
oz . (0.946L)
16
oz . (0.473L)
23
oz . (0.680L)
6 lb
. (2.72kg)
12 oz . (0.340kg)
16
oz . (0.473L)
8 oz . (0.237L)
32
oz . (0.946L)
16
oz . (0.473L)
* Not recommended .for pigskin suede leather .
See your General Motors dealers for these products .
See your Maintenance Schedule for other products .
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Century Dimensions
Inches unless otherwise noted .
Overall: COUPE SEDAN WAGON
Length ................
. Width .................
Height ................
Wheelbase .............
Front Tread ............
Rear Tread .............
Interior Front:
Leg Room
.............
Head Room ............
Shoulder Room .........
Hip Room ..............
Interior Rear:
Leg Room .............
Head Room ............
Shoulder Room .........
Hip Room ..............
Tzvnk Capacity-Cubic Feet
Number of Passengers:
Front .................
Rear ..................
Rear-Facing Third Seat ...
Base Curb Weight--Po unds 189.1
69.4 53.7
104.9 58.7
56.7
42.1 38.6
55.8
50.2
35.9
38.3
57
. 0
53.6
16.2
3
3
.
2862 189.1
69.4
54.2
104.9 58.7
56.7 190.9
69.4
54.2
104.9 58.7
56.7
42.1 42.1
38.6 38.6
55.9 55.9
50.0 50.0
35.9
38.3
56.0
54.3
16.2
3
3
.
2914 34.8
38.9
56.0
54.3
41.6
3
3
2
3054
Replacement Bulbs
APPLICATION NUMBER
Exterior
Headlight High Beam
........................
Low Beam .........................
ParW Turn ...........................
Side Marker ....... .................
Backup .............................
High Level Stop (w/o luggage carrier) .....
High Level Stop (w/luggage carrier) .......
License .............................
Side Marker .........................
Tail/Stop ............................
Tail/Stop/Turn .........................
Underhood ..........................
9005
9006
2057 194
1156
1141
577 194
194
194
2057
561
Interior
Ashtray ............................. 194
Door Courtesy
....................... 214-2
Dome
.............................. 211-2
Front Reading
........................ 906
Glove Box ............................ 194
Map
............................... 168
Rear Dome (Wagon)
................... 211-2
Trunk
.............................. 1003
Vanity Mirror ........................ 124
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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
ProCarManuals.com
Warnings ...................................... 225
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................... 266
Gages Battery
......................................... 109
Coolant Temperature
............................. 110
Fuel
.......................................... 107
Gasoline
........................................ 223
Gasoline Tank. Filling Your
................ .225. 270. 272
Gear Positions (see “Shifting the Transaxle”) Gearshift Lever
(see “Shifting the Transaxle”)
GloveBox
........................................ 71
Halogen Bulbs ............................ .245. 269
Hazard Warning Flashers
........................... 184
Headlight
& Taillight. Removing and Replacing . .245. 247. 269
Headlights
........................................ 95
High-Low Beam Changer
.......................... 88
Instrument Panel Light Intensity Control ............... 95
“0n”Warning
................................... 96
Replacement Bulb ............................... 269
Head Restraints
.................................... 17
Hearing or Speech Impaired
......................... 301
Heater (see “Comfort Controls”)
Heater, Engine Block
.......................... .76. 232
HighBeams
................................... 88, 157
Highway Hypnosis ................................. 165
Wiring
........................................ 268 HillandMountainRoads
............................ 166
Hills. Parking on ............................. .168. 180
Hood Release .................................... 226
Safety Warning
............................ .226. 227
Warning. Overheated Engine
.............. .195. 200. 202
Horn ............................................ 86
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings
............... .195. 200. 202
Hydroplaning ..................................... 159
Identification Number. Vehicle
...................... 265
Idling Your Engine
................................. 82
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ............. 219
Ignition Key
........................................... 64
Positions ....................................... 73
Indicator Lights
(see “Warning Lights”)
Infant Restraint (see “Child Restraints”)
Inflation. Tires
................................... 252
Inside Rearview Mirror
.............................. 98
Instrument Panel .................................. 105
Instrument Panel Warning Lights ...................... 106
...................................... J ack. Ti re 205
Jump Starting
..................................... 185
Keyless Entry System
............................. 66
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Keys ............................................ 64
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.
Lane Change Indicator ............................ 87
Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt
Front Automatic
................................. 30
Rear ............................................. 43
Use by Children ............................... .45, 51
Liftgate ...................................... .69, 111
Remote Release Button ........................ .66, 69
Lighter .......................................... 105
Lights Courtesy
....................................... 98
Daytime Running Lights ........................... 96
Halogen Bulbs .................................. 245
Headlights .........................;.. .......... 95
Interior Lights Delay .............................. 97
Map ............................................ 96
Operation ....................................... 95
Parking Lights ................................... 95
Reading ......................................... 97
Removing & Replacing . Bulbs ...................... 245
Replacement Bulbs .............................. 269
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint .................... 36
Taillights ....................................... 95
Warning Lights .................................. 106
Loading Your Vehicle .............................. 249
Lock, Remote Control ............. : ................ 66
Locks ........................................ 65, 69
Long Distance Driving ............................. 164
Low Battery ................................. .108, 185
Low Oil Pressure Warning ........................... 107
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............... 87
Lubricants and Fluids .............................. 292
Luggage Carrier
Deck
......................................... 100
Roof .......................................... 100
Maintenance Materials ........................... 264
Maintenance Record ............................... 295
Maintenance Schedule .............................. 275
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine S&n Light) ... 111
ManualFrontSeat .................................. 14
Map Light ......................................... 96
Master Cylinder, Brake ............................. 243
Methanol in Gasoline ............................... 223
Mileage Chart ...................... 1 .............. 320
Mileage Indicator (see “Odometer”)
Mirrors
Convex Outside Mirror
............................ 99
Inside Manual Day/Night ............................ 98
Inside Rearview Mirror with Reading Lights ........... 98
Manual Adjust ................................... 99.
Power Remote Control ............................ 99
Visor Vanity .................................... 100
MountainDriving ................................. 166
New Vehicle Break-In ............................. 72
Night Driving .................................... 155
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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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