1993 BUICK CENTURY service indicator

Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left, when the ignition is on. When the indicator nears
“E” (Empty), you still have a little fuel left, but you
should get more
soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage and are
normal operating characteristics:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads
“F” (Full).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half
full, but it actually took
a little more
or less than half the
tank‘s capacity to fill the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner, speed
up or brake.
The gage doesn’t go back to “E” when you turn off the
ignition.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your
oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving.
This
indicates that oil is not
going through your engine
quickly enough to keep it
lubricated. The engine could be low on oil, or
could have some other oil
problem. Have it fixed right
away.
The
oil light could also come on in three other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not funning,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when
you turn the
ignition to “Start? If it doesn’t come on with the
107
ProCarManuals.com

X"' 1 r-l
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors
I operation of your fuel,
ignition and. emission
control systems. This light should come on when the
ignition is on, but the
engine is not running, as a
check to show
you it is
working.
If it does not
come on at all, have it fixed
right away.
If it stays on, or
it comes on while you are
driving, the computer is
I
indicating that you have a problem. You should take your
vehicle in
for service soon.
Liftgate Ajar Warning Light (Wagon)
.-
- The "TAILGATE AJAR"
~ light on your instrument
panel
will come on if your
I
TAI! GAY E
ALAR
liftgate is not completely
1 closed.
ProCarManuals.com

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you
will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder
to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when
you brake. Once the power assist
is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear wamlng sound means that
sooner or later pur brakes won't work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehlcle serviced.
I
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
worn and new pads
are needed. The sound may come squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving applied. This do\
es not mean something is wrong with
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly). your brakes.
ProCarManuals.com

i
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new
tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if
You can see the indicators at
three places around the tire.
You can see cord or
fabric showing through
the tire's rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that can't
be repaired well because of the size or location
of the
damage. enough to show cord
or fabric.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new .had a
Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC
Spec number. That way,
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed'
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC number will be followed by a
"MS" (for mud
and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same
size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted
or radial) as your original tires.
254
ProCarManuals.com

.
Lane Change Indicator ............................ 87
Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt
Front Automatic
................................. 30
Rear ............................................. 43
Use by Children ............................... .45, 51
Liftgate ...................................... .69, 111
Remote Release Button ........................ .66, 69
Lighter .......................................... 105
Lights Courtesy
....................................... 98
Daytime Running Lights ........................... 96
Halogen Bulbs .................................. 245
Headlights .........................;.. .......... 95
Interior Lights Delay .............................. 97
Map ............................................ 96
Operation ....................................... 95
Parking Lights ................................... 95
Reading ......................................... 97
Removing & Replacing . Bulbs ...................... 245
Replacement Bulbs .............................. 269
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint .................... 36
Taillights ....................................... 95
Warning Lights .................................. 106
Loading Your Vehicle .............................. 249
Lock, Remote Control ............. : ................ 66
Locks ........................................ 65, 69
Long Distance Driving ............................. 164
Low Battery ................................. .108, 185
Low Oil Pressure Warning ........................... 107
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............... 87
Lubricants and Fluids .............................. 292
Luggage Carrier
Deck
......................................... 100
Roof .......................................... 100
Maintenance Materials ........................... 264
Maintenance Record ............................... 295
Maintenance Schedule .............................. 275
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine S&n Light) ... 111
ManualFrontSeat .................................. 14
Map Light ......................................... 96
Master Cylinder, Brake ............................. 243
Methanol in Gasoline ............................... 223
Mileage Chart ...................... 1 .............. 320
Mileage Indicator (see “Odometer”)
Mirrors
Convex Outside Mirror
............................ 99
Inside Manual Day/Night ............................ 98
Inside Rearview Mirror with Reading Lights ........... 98
Manual Adjust ................................... 99.
Power Remote Control ............................ 99
Visor Vanity .................................... 100
MountainDriving ................................. 166
New Vehicle Break-In ............................. 72
Night Driving .................................... 155
312
ProCarManuals.com

Snowstorm (see “Winter Driving”)
Sound Equipment. Adding
........................... 117
Sound Systems (see ‘Audio Systems”)
Spare Tire. Compact.
...................... .205. 215. 218
Specifications and Capacities
................... .270. 272
Specifications. Engine
......................... .270. 272
Speed Control (see “Cruise Control”)
Speedometer
..................................... 106
Stains. Removing
.................................. 258
Starting .Your Engine
................................ 74
Starting Your Vehicle if the Battery
is Dead
Steering (see “Jump Starting”)
In Emergencies
.................................. 151
Off-Road Recovery
.............................. 152
Tips
.......................................... l50
Steering Wheel. Tilt ................................ 86
Stereo Sound Systems (see “Audio Systems”)
Storage Armrest
....................................... 103
Convenience Net
................................ 101
Rear Locking Compartment
........................ 103
Rear Storage Security Cover
....................... 101
Storing Your Vehicle ............................... 244
Stuck. If You Are
.................................. 219
Sun Visors
........................................ 100
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bag)
.............. 35
TAlgate Ajar warning Light
........................ 111 Tape Player (see “Audio Systems”)
Technical Facts
& Specifications
Bulbs
......................................... 269
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
.............. .75. 117. 265
Fluid Capacities
& Types ................ .270. 272. 292
Fuseusage
.................................... 267
Service
Parts Identification Label ................... 265
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................ 265
Temperature Warning Light
.......................... 110
Theft
............................................ 71
Thermostat
...................................... 241
Tilt Steering Wheel
................................. 86
Time. Setting the
.......................... .118. 121. 124
Tire hading
................................ .249. 251
Tires
........................................... 251
Chains
................................... .218. 257
Flat. Changing
.................................. 205
Inflation
....................................... 252
Inspection
& Rotation ............................ 253
Loading
................................... 249. 251
Pressure ....................................... 252
QualityGrading
................................. 255
Spare. Compact
......................... .205. 215. 218
Wear Indicators
................................... 254
Wheel Replacement
......................... .256. 257
When to Replace Wheels
.......................... 256
Winter Driving. and Tires
......................... 171
Torquebk
..................................... 170
BuyingNew
.................................... 254
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................. 256
ProCarManuals.com

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
316
ProCarManuals.com