1993 BUICK CENTURY coolant temperature

A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on.
Driving with the brake warning light on can
lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after
you’ve pulled
off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
---I
This light tells you that
your engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator
cooling
fan is not working.
If you have been operating
your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull
off the road,
stop your vehicle and
turn
the engine off as soon as
possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN
BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road:’ this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage (Option)
‘1 If you have the Gage
Cluster, you have a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too
hot! That reading means the same thing as the warning
light. It means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have
been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your-
vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Also, the temperature symbol on the gage will come on
when your engine is too hot.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road:’ this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage or the warning
light about a hot engine on your Buick’s instrument panel. A CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see
or hear steam
coming from
it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until
it cools
down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You -w others could be badly burned. Stop your
~gine if
it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index. \
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262” F (128” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use: Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 1825-Mi’ which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement
(sealer) with any complete coolant change. If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
I
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your coollng system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Mur vehicle’s coolant
warning system
Is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong mlx, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. bur engine could catch
fire and you or others’could be burned. Use a
50/50 mPx of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
: warranty. Too much
l
and crack t
other parts
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Radiator Pressure Cap
ur radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace
your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat is
recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
mp ”-- How to Check Power
Steering Fluid:
I Unscrew the cap and wipe
the dipstick with a clean f rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the
dipstick. .1,. ,,
When me engine compartment is hot, the level should
When the engine compartment is cool, the level should
be at the “H” (Hot) mark.
be at the “C” (Cold) mark.
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
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ITEM
NO. SERVICE
5 Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection-
* Inspect the belt for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
6 Cooling System Service*-Drain, flush and
refill the system with new or approved recycled
coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M.
Keep coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index. This
provides proper freeze protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap
and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend
a pressure test of
both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
7 Transaxle Service-Change both the fluid and
filter every
l5,O00 miles (25 O00 km) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches
90°F (32OC) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
If you do’not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 0o0 km).
plugs with the proper type. See “Specifications
‘and Capacities” in the Index. delivery service.
8 Spark
Plug Replacement*-Replace spark
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Engine Coolant .......................... .238. 270. 272
Checking
& Adding ......................... .l95. 239
Proper Mixture
to Use ............................ 239
Safety Warnings About
.................... 110. 195. 201
Temperature Gage
................................ 110
Temperature Warning Light
........................ 110
(see “Engine Coolant”)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
Engine Exhaust
................................ .83. 173
Engine Identification
.............................. -265
Engineoil
....................................... 227
Additives
...................................... 231
Checking
& Adding ................. .227. 270. 272. 292
Crankcase Capacity
.......................... .270. 272
Energy Conserving
.............................. 231
Warning Light
.................................. 107
When to Change
................................ 232
Engine Specifications
......................... .270. 272
Engine. Starting
.................................... 74
Ethanol in Gasoline.
............................... 223
Exhaust Dangerous Gas
in ............................ .83. 173’
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ................. 40
Expressway Driving
............................... 163
Extender. Safety Belt
................................ 60
Disposing of Used Oil ............................ 232
Filter
................................. 232.271. 273
Engine Overheating
............................ 110. 195
Running Engine While Parked
....................... 84
Exterior Appearance (see “Appearance Care”) Fabric
cleaning
(see ‘%Appearance care”)
Fan Warnings
.................... .186. 187. 197. 199. 226
Filling the Fuel Tank
...................... .225. 270. 272
Filter. Oil
................................ 232.271. 273
Finish Damage
................................... 263
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........................... 184
Flat Tire
........................................ 205
Flip-Open Rear Vent Windows
........................ 85
Flooded Engine
.................................... 75
Capacities
..................................... 292
Power Steering
..................... .241. 271. 273. 292
Transaxle
......................... .236. 271. 273. 292
Windshield Washer
...................... .89. 242. 293
Fluids and Lubricants
.............................. 292
Fog. Driving
in ................................... 160
FoldingRearSeats .................................. 18
Freeway Driving
.................................. 163
French Language Manual
............................. 2
Fluid
Brake
..................................... 243. 292
Foreign Counties
.................................... 224
Fuel
............................................ 223
AlcoholinFuel
................................. 223
Capacity
................................... 270. 272
Exhaust Warnings
........................... .83. 173
Filling Your Tank
....................... .225. 270. 272
In Foreign Countries
............................. 224
Mileage Chart
.................................. 320
Gage
.......................................... 107
Requirements . ................................... 223
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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
I
Keys ............................................ 64
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Towing a Trailer .................................. 175
Towing Your Buick
................................ 189
Traf%lc Lights ...................................... 140
Trailer Towing .................................... 175
Driving with a Trailer ........... i ............... -179
Maintenance. ................................... 181
Parking on Hills ......................... .. ....... 180
Trailer Brakes .................................. 178
Turn Signals .................................... 179
Transaxle, Automatic (see “Automatic Transaxle”)
Transmission, Automatic (see ‘Automatic Transaxle”)
Trip Odometer.
................................... 106
Trunk Lock
....................................... 69
Remote Release Button ............................ 69
Turn Signal Indicator ............................... 87
Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever ..................... 86
Cruise Control ................................... 91
Headlight High/Low Beam ......................... 88
Turn & Lane Change Signals ....................... 87
Turn Signal Indicator ............................... 87
Windshield Wipers .............................. -88
windshield Washer ................................. 89
Turn Signal Reminder ............................... 87
underbody Maintenance .......................... 263
Unleaded Gasoline ................................ 223
Upholstery Care .................................. 258
Urban Driving .................................. 1 . 162
Vehicle Identification Number.(VIN) ................. 265
Vehicle hading .................................. 249
Vehicle Storage .................................... 244
Vent Windows, Flip-Open ............................ 85
Ventilation .................................... U. 116
VIN ......................................... : ... 269
Visor Vanity Mirror. ............................... 100
Volts Gage ....................................... 109
warning Flashers. Hazard ......................... 184
Warning Lights .................................. -106
AirBag ........................................ 36
Battery ......................................... 108
Brake ......................................... 109
Coolant Temperature
............................. 110
Oil ........................................... 107
Safety Belt Reminder Light ......................... 29
Service Engine Soon .............................. 111
TailgateAjar .................................... 111
Washer, Windshield .................................. 89
WasherNiper, Rear Window ......................... 90
Weight
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
................... 250
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ............... 250
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................... 256
Wheel Covers, How to Remove ....................... 210
WheelNuts ...................................... 209
Wheel Nut Torque ................................. 215
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