1993 BUICK CENTURY steering wheel

when your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key Front Towing Hook-Ups
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight-
ahead position, with a clamping device designed for
towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s steering column
lock for
this. The transaxle should be in Neutral and the
parking brake released.
I
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels, unless
you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the front
wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph (56 km/h) or farther
than
50 miles (80 km) or your transaxle will be damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the front wheels
have
to be supported on a dolly.
1
I
&!, CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if It Isn’t
properly secured.
This can cause a colllsion,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage.
The vehicle should be tightly secured with Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the
chains or steel cables before it is transported. information in “Towing Your Buick” earlier in this part.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps, I
1. Attach T-hook chains behind the front wheels into the
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp bottom of the floor pan on both sides.
edges underneath the towed vehicle. I
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8. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure
the
arrows on the pressure
cap line up like this.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout:’ here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat; the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage ~y
driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in “P” (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
CAUTION (Continued)
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use
caution.
wneels can destr
If you let your tires spln at high spe& they
can aplode and you or others could be
Injured. And, the,transaxle or other parts of
the vehicle can &wheat. That could muse an
engine compartment fire or other damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels 88 lltek adc
-pssSble. Don’t spln the whwls above 35 mph
(55 Wh) as shown on the speedometer.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your fiont wheels. Then
shift back
and forth between
“R” (Reverse) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator
pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be
towed out.
If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Buick”
in the Index.
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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule II.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Section
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change-Always use
SG Energy Conserving 11 oils of proper viscosity.
The “SG” designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as ‘‘SG/CC:’
“SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC:’ etc.
To determine the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE
5W-30 or SAE
10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
2 Chassis Lubrication-Lubricate the transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides,
underbody contact points and linkage. If your
vehicle is equipped with grease fittings, lubricate
the suspension and steering linkage. these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification” in the Index.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
3 Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque (3300 V6
Code N Engine Only)*-Check the,torque of
the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
4 Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection-For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your
tires following the instructions
in this manual.
See “Tires, Inspection & Rotation” in the Index.
Check the tires for uneven wear or damage. If
you see irregular or premature wear, check the
wheel alignment. Check for damaged wheels also.’
*An Emission Control Service.
~2 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the.emission warranty
or limit recall liability prior
to the completion of vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section E: Maintenance Record.”
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Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least\
twice a year (for instance, each spring
and M1). You should let your
GM dealer’s service department or other qualified service center do these jobs. Make
sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Steering, Suspension
and Front-Wheel- Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection
Exhaust System
Inspection
~~~~ ~~
Throttle Linkage
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for \
damaged, loose or missing
parts, signs of wear, or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for
proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and \
then inspect the drive axle
boot
seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near the \
exhaust system. Look for
broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well as op\
en seams, holes, loose
connections, or other conditions which could cause a heat build\
-up in the
floor pan or could
let exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and f\
or damaged or missing parts.
Replace parts as needed.
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Brake Fluid ................................ .243. 292
Electrical Equipment
..................... .75. 117. 265
Engine Coolant
................ .195. 239. 270. 272. 292
Engine Oil
........................ .227. 270. 272. 292
Sound Equipment
................................ 117
Power Steering Fluid
................ .241. 271. 273. . 292
Transaxle Fluid
.................... .236. 271. 273. 292
Windshield Washer Fluid
.................... .242. 293
AirBag(S1R)
..................................... 35
Air Cleaner
............................. .233. 271. 273
Air Conditioner
.......................... .114. 270. 272
Alcohol in Gasoline
................................ 223
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 262
Antenna Care
..................................... 131
Antifreeze
.......................... .239. 270. 272. 292
Ashtrays and Lighter
............................... 104
Audiosystems
.................................... 116
AM/FM Stereo Radio
............................. 118
Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence
of
............... 143
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
....... .258. 264
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette Player
............ EO
AM/FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player ............ 123
Care
of Audio Systems ............................ 129 Radio Reception. Understanding
.............. 117
Setting the Clock
.................. .118. 121. 124
Automatic Door Locks
........................ 66
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt (see “Safety Belts”)
Automatic Transaxle Adding Fluid
................ .236. 271. 273. 292
Checking Fluid
........................... 236
Shifting
.................................. 77
Starting Your Engine
........................ 74
Batteries. Remote Lock Control
............... 66
Battery
.................................... 244
Jump Starting
............................. 185
Warnings
....................... .185, 186, 244
Battery Warning Light
........................ 108
Blizzard
................................... 173
Block Heater, Engine
.................... .76, 232
Blowout, Tire
............................... 205
Brake Adjustment
............................... 149
Fluid ............................... 243, 292
Master Cylinder
.......................... 243
Parking
.................................. 80
307
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Pedal Travel ...................................... 149
RearDrum
..................................... 149
Replacement
................................... 244
Warning Light-
.................................. 109
Wear Indicators-Disc Brakes ....................... 148
Brake System Wakng Light
......................... 109
Braking in Emergencies .............................. 149
“Break-In:’ New Vehicle
Normd Driving. ................................. 72
When Towing a Trailer
........................... 176
Braking
......................................... 146
Buckling Up (see “Safety Belts”)
Bulb Replacement
Headlight
................................. .245. 269
Turn Signal ............................... .246, 269
Taillight
.................................. .247. 269
capacities and Specifications
................. .270. 272
CarbonMonoxide
.............................. 83. 173
Cargo Security Cover
................................ 101
Cassette Tape Holder
............................... 103
Cassette Tape Player
(see “Audio Systems”)
Center Passenger Position
............................ 41
Chains. Tire
................................. .217. 257
Changing a Flat Tire
............................... 205
Checking BrakeFluid
.................................... 243
Engine Coolant
................................. 239
Engine0
il ..................................... 227 Power Steering Fluid
............................. 241
Safety Belt Systems
......... ...................... 60
Transaxle Fluid .................................. 236
Underhood
..................................... 226
Chemical paint Spotting
............................ 263
ChildRestraints
.................................... 47
Children’
......................................... 45
Cigarette Lighter
.................................. 105
Circuit Breakers
& Fuses ........................... 266
Cleaner, Air
............................. .233. 271. 273
Cleaning AluminumWheels
............................... 262
Antenna
....................................... 131
Cassette Player .................................. 129
Fabric
........................................ 258
Glass
.......................................... 261
Inside of Your Buick ............................. 258
Materials ........................................ 264
Outside of Your Buick
............................ 261
Safety Belts
.................................... 261
Special Problems
................................ 260
Top of Instrument Panel
........................... 260
Underbody Maintenance
.......................... 263
Vinyl
......................................... 260
Warnings ...................................... 258
Weatherstrips
.................................... ‘262
White Sidewall Tires
............................. 262
Windshield and Wiper Blades
...................... 261
Climate Control
................................... 115
CityDriving ..................................... 162
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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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