1993 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

Section B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Be
sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Section
D.
At Each Fuel Fill (It is important for you or a service station attendant to perform these undechd checks at each fuel fill.)
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessar\
y. See “Engine Oil” in the
Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check the engine coolant level in the coolant recovery tank and add \
the proper coolant mix
I if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for furth\
er details. I
Windshield Washer Check the windshield washer fluid level in th\
e windshield washer tank and add the proper
Fluid Level
I fluid if necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the \
Index for further details. I
At Least Once a Month
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Tire Inflation Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflate\
d to the pressures specified on the Tire-
Loading Information label located on the rear edge of the driv\
er’s door. See “Tires”
in the
Index
for further details.
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At Least Once a Year
CHECK
OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
I
Key Lock Cylinders I Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Section D.
Body Lubrication Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges and \
latches, including those for the
hood, glove box door and console door. Section
D tells you what to use. I
Starter Switch
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly\
. If it does,
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” \
in the Index if necessary) and
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if
it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work onl\
y in “P” (Park) or “N”
the regular brake.
(Neutral). If the starter works in any other position, your \
vehicle needs service.
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CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Steering Column While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the key to “LOCK’ in each shift
Lock lever position.
The key should turn to “LOCK’ only when the shift lever is in “P” (Park).
The key should come out only in “LOCK.”
Parking Brake and
Automatic Transaxle
“P” (Park) Mechanism
Check
Underbody Flushing
/t! CAUTION:
When you are doing this chick, your vehicle could begin to mow. Mu or
others could be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of your vehicle In case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
-gular
bWe at wce ahauld +he vehicle hmnin +* m-
Park on a 1 ply steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your foot\
on the
regular brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running and transaxle in “N” (Neutral),
---
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held
by the parking brake only.
all brakes.
To check the “P” (Park) mechanism’s holding ability: Shift to “P” (Park). Then release
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from
the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can \
collect.
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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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~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~ INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for \
proper hookup, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear \
and rotors for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect o\
ther brake parts, including
drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking bra\
ke adjustment. You
may need to have your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or conditions
result
in frequent braking.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which may need to be
serviced.
Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be
wrong with the brake system. See “Brake System Warning Light\
” in the Index.
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Section D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your GM dealer.
USAGE FWID/LUBRICANT
..
Engine Oil GM Goodwrench Motor Oil or equivalent for API service SG. Energy Conserving 11 oils of
the proper viscosity.
The “SG’ designation may be shown alone or in combination with
others, such as “SGICC,” “SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC,” etc.
TO determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see “Engine Oil” in the Index. -1
- ~~
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of water (preferably distdled) and good quality ethyle\
ne glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part
No. 1052753 or equivalent) conforming to GM Specification 1825M or approved
recycled coolant‘conforming to GM Specification
1825M. I
Hydraulic Brake I Delco Supreme 1P B,rake Fluid (GM Part No. 1052535). or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
System
I
Parking. Brake Guides Chassis lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB
I (GM Part No. 1052497 or equivalent).
I Power Steering
System
I
GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 1052884) or equivalent.
,
I
~ Automatic Transaxle I DEXRON@-IIE Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 12345881)
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USAGE
Key Lock Cylinders
Automatic Transaxle
Shift Linkage
Chassis Lubrication
Windshield Washer Solvent
FWID/WBRICANT
Lubricate with Multi-Purpose Lubricant (GM Part No. -l2345120), -synthetic SAE 5W-30
engine oil or silicone lubricant (GM Part No. 1052276 or 1052277).
~~
Engine oil.
Chassis lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB
(GM
Part No. 1052497 or equivalent).
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent (GM
Part No. 105lSl5) or equivalent.
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USAGE FWID/WBRICANT
~~ ~ ~~~ ~~
Hood Latch Assembly
a. Pivots and Spring
b. Release Pawl
Anchor a.
Engine oil.
b. Chassis lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB
(GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent).
Hood and Door
Hinges, Station Wag01
Liftgate, Fuel Door
Hinge, Folding Seat
Hardware, Rear Compartment Lid
Hinges Engine oil
or Lubriplate Lubricant
(GM Part No. 1050109).
Weatherstrips Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Capacities and.Specifications” in the Index for recomm\
ended replacement filters, valves and spark plugs.
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