1994 BUICK CENTURY check oil

Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside in very cold weather,
0°F (- 18 “C) or
colder. If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater” in
the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for
your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing
oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of
oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station
or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
Your air cleaner is on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment.
To check or replace the filter, use a
screwdriver to loosen
the hose clamp, then lift the
rubber duct.
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I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at a Buick dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
I NOTICE:
loo much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come
out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading
if you check your transaxle
fluid.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid
to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick.
1. Pull
out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(OSL).
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made especially for
your automatic transaxle. Damage caused by fluid other
than DEXRON@-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE is
not covered
by your new vehicle warranty. dipstick
hole
to bring it to the proper level.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way. The following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if
you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 “F ( 128 “C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 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-M,” 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. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add
anything else.
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IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL
AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I protection
Plan
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer
for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it.
You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work, to do errands
or in many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements
than you will
find in the schedules in this part.
So please read this
part and note how you drive.
If you have any questions
on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done.
Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.
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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule
11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Section D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should
be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification” in the Index.
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SH
or SG Energy Conserving I1 oils of proper viscosity.
The
“SH or SG’ designation may be shown alone or
in combination with others, such as “SH/CD’ or
“SH, SG, CD,” “SG/CD,”etc. To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication -- Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. If your vehicle is equipped with grease fittings, lubricate the suspension and steering linkage. 3.
Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection -- For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this manual. See “Tires,
Inspection
& Rotation” in the Index. Check the tires
for uneven wear or damage. If you see irregular or
premature wear, check the wheel alignment. Check
for damaged wheels also.
4. Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection --
Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
5. 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 “Coolant” in the
Index.
This provides proper freeze protection and boil
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and maintain
proper 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.
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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
underhood checks at each fuel fill.)
WHAT TO DO
~
Engine Oil Level
Engine Coolant Level
Windshield
Washer Fluid Level Check the engine oil level and add the
proper oil if necessary. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index for further details.
Check the engine coolant level and add
the propexcoolant mix if necessary. See “Coolant” in the Index for further
details.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level in the windshield washer
tank and
add the proper fluid if necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
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System. Anti-lock Warning Light ................. 114
System Warning Light
......................... 113
Wear
....................................... 230
Brakes. Trailer
.................................. 168
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 147
Break-In. New Vehicle ............................ 74
Bulb Chart
...................................... 258
Bulb Replacement ....................... .232.233. 234
Bulbs. Halogen
.................................. 232
Braking
........................................ 144
Canadian Roadside Assistance
................... -286
Capacities and Specifications Chart
.............. 259. 260
Carbon Monoxide
................................ 86
Cargo Security Cover
............................. 105
Carrier. Luggage
................................ 106
Cassette Tape Player
............................. 125
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 136
Cautions. Safety
.................................. 10
CB Radio. Adding
............................... 126
Cellular Telephone. Adding
........................ 126
Chains. Tire
.................................... 244
Changing a Flat Tire
.............................. 194
Checking Brake Fluid
.................................. 228
Engine Coolant
............................... 223
Engineoil
................................... 213
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 226
Restraint Systems
.............................. 63
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 220 Underhood
.................................. 212
Windshield Washer Fluid
....................... 227
Chemical Paint Spotting
........................... 251
Child Restraints
.................................. 50
Children and Safety Belts ......................... -48
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ........................ 254
City Driving
.................................... 156
Cleaner. Air .................................... 218
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 250
Antenna
..................................... 137
Cassette Player
............................... 136
Fabric
...................................... 245
Glass ....................................... 248
Inside Your Buick
............................. 245
Leather
..................................... 248
Outside Your Buick
........................... 249
Power Antenna
............................... 137
Safety Belts
.................................. 248
Instrumentpanel
.............................. 248
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 251
vinyl
....................................... 247
White Sidewall Tires
........................... 250
Windshield and Wiper Blades
.................... 249
Clock Setting
............................ 127.129. 132
Comfort Controls
................................ 121
Compact Disc Care
.............................. 136
Compact Spare Tire
.............................. 205
Compartment. Rear Locking Storage
................. 108
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 144
Controls. Features and
............................. 65
Cigarette Lighter
................................ 109
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