1993 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

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I A CAUTION:
Mlxing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving.
If you mlx tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires) the
vehlcle may not handle
properly, and you
could have
a crash. Be sure to use the same
size and type
tires on all four wheels. It’s all
right to drive wlth your compact spare,
though.
It was developed far use on your
vehicle.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed
by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tires by treadwear, traction
and temperature performance. (This applies only to
vehicles
sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1%) times as well on the government course
as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction-A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B,
and C. They represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
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Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material'of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Those grades are molded on the sidewalls of'passenger
car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicIes may vary with
respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved
for use
on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the, factory to give you the longest tire life and
best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you-notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a
smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel'nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air
out, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your Buick dealer
if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
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If you need to replace any of your wheels., wheel bolts, or
wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure
you have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your Buick
model.
A CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous.
It could affecf the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts,
and wheel nuts for replacement.
Used Replacement Wheels
Tire Chains
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Appearance Care
A CAUTION:
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are
toxic. Others can burst into flame if you
strike
a match or get them on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if you breathe
their fumes in
a closed space. When you use
anything in a container to clean your Buick, be
sure to follow the instructions. And always
open your doors or windows when you're
cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline Paint Thinner
Benzene Turpentine
Naphtha Lacquer Thinner
Carbon Tetrachloride Nail Polish Remover
Acetone
They can all be hazardous-some more than
others-and they can all damage your vehicle,
too.
Cleaning the Inside of Your Buick
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Buick dealer has two
GM cleaners-a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They
will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Here
are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can-before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, &d change to a clean area
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area only.
If you use them, don't saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately or it will set.
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Using Foam-Qpe Cleaner on Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge to
remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
Then dry it immediately with an air hose, a hair dryer
surrounding
trim along stitch or welt lines.
directions on the container label.
or cloth.
or a heat lamp.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent=Qpe Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some
spots and stains will clean off better with just water
and mild soap.
If you need to use it, then:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a
clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably cheesecloth).
Cleaning should start at the outside
of the stain,
“feathering” toward the center. Keep changing to a
clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous
NOTICE.)
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains: Like grease, oil, butter,
margarine, shoe polish, coffke with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable
oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Then follow the solvent-type instructions above.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on
a vehicle seat fabric. They should be removed as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner will
dissolve them and may cause them to bleed.
Non-Greasy Stains: Like catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine
and
blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the soiled
area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
above.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat
the area
with a watedbaking soda solution: 1 teaspoon
(5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm
water.
Finally, if needed, clean lightly with solvent-type
cleaner.
Combination Stains: Like candy, ice cream,
mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown
stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with cool
If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Just use warm water and a clean cloth. water and allow to dry.
Rub with a
clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may
have to do it more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don't get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
solvent-type vinyl/leather cleaner.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to' clean the top surfaces of
the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
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Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
A CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. It you do, It
may severely wealeen them. In a crash they
mlght not be able to provlde adequate
protection. Clean safety bdta only wlth mlld
soap and lukewarm Mar.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped
off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM Windshield
Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM
Part No. 1050011). The
windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full strength windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the
blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth of
color,
gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
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Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use liquid
hand, dish or car washing (non-detergent) soaps. Don’t
use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasives. All
cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not
allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry
the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surfhce scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick may
be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. You
can get
GM approved cleaning products from your
dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials” in the Index.)
Your Buick has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat.
Aluminum Wheels (If SO Equipped)
Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar
to the painted surface of your car. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, chrome polish, or other abrasive cleaners on
them because you could damage this coating. After
rinsing thoroughly, a wax may be applied.
White Sidewall Tires
Your Buick dealer has a GM White Sidewall Tire
Cleaner. You can use a stiff brush with it.
Weatherstrips
These are places where glass or metal meets rubber.
Silicone grease there will make them last longer, seal
better, and not squeak. Apply silicone grease with a
clean cloth at least every six months.
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