1993 BUICK CENTURY engine

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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.
n
Part 6 Service and Appearance Care
. .
Here you will find information about the care of your Buick . This part begins with service and fuel information.
and then
it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels . There is also technical information about
your vehicle. and a section devoted to
its appearance care .
Part 6 includes:
Service ........................................................................\
..... 222
Fuel ........................................................................\
...... 223
HoodRelease ....................................................................... \
226
Engine Oil ........................................................................\
. 227
Aircleaner ........................................................................\
2.3
TransaxleFluid ..................................................................... 236
Enginecoolant ..................................................................... 239
Power Steering Fluid ................................................................. 241
Windshield Washer Fluid .............................................................. 242
Brakes ........................................................................\
.... 243
Battery ........................................................................\
.... 244
BulbReplacement ................................................................... 245
Tires ........................................................................\
...... 251
Loadingyourvehicle ................................................................. 249
Appearancecare .................................................................... 258
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Add-on Electrical Equipment ............................ 265
Capacities and Specifications .......................................................... -270
Fuses&CircuitBreakers .............................................................. 266
ReplacementBulbs .................................................................... 269
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Fuel
Use redar unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or What about gasoline with blending materials that contain
oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
higher.-It should meet-specifications ASTM
D4814 in the mE is 66methyl kfliq+.bu@l Fuel that is no
U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should more than 15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
have the proper additives, so you should not have to add
an-g
to the fuel. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that
is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and .you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when you’re
accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you
don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means you
have a problem.
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits
from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines
are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use gasolines
with these blending materials, such as MTBE
and ethanol.
By doing so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country that have high
carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
F’uels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S.
or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at
all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that
means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact
a major oil company that does business in the country
where
you’ll be driving.
You
can also write us at the following address for advice.
Just tell us where you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) .
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
P. 0. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
I
224
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/i CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start
a fire. These include liquids like
gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield
washer and other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others could be burned. Be careful not
to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot
engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it
firmly.
Engine Oil
I‘
I
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. The
3300 V6 engine oil dipstick is located near the front and
center
of the engine compartment.
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The 2.2L LA engine oil dipstick is located in the fill cap
near the front and center of the engine compartment.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and dean it
with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in
all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the “ADD”
line, then you’ll need to add some oil. But you must use
the right kind. This section explains what kind of
oil to
use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
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i
I ':
I 1
ISCOS E ENGINE OILS I '"'
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
LOOK
LABEL
HOT FOR THIS WEATHER (
SAL 10W-3-
PREFERREl
AE 5W-30
COLD IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED WEATHER GRADE MAY BE USE0 AT TEMPERATURES
00 NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
If you have the 3300 V6 engine use:
SAE 1OW-30
As shown in this chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going
to
be colder than 60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it's very cold, below 0°F (-18" C), you
should use
SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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