1994 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

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.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for
your vehicle will be identified with this new “starburst”
symbol, The “starburst” symbol indicates that the oil has
been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
I
You should look for this on
the front of the oil
container, and use
only oils
that display this new
symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD Sw“nwl’l li, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EX. _____ TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER 7
”F
t 100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
f
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 .,. GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
WEATHER
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (-18°C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show it.+ viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity
oils, such as SAE low-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst”symbo1
on the front of the-container, you should look for and
use oils containing the following three things:
SHor SG
“SH or SG” must be on the oil container, either by
itself
or combined with other quality designations,
such as
“SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc.
These letters show American Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you
save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
a doughnut
shaped logo (symbol) on most containers. If you cannot
find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you should look
for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing
the three things noted above.
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NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the
“starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG
designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dwty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other oil change after that.
than
10 miles (1 6 km).
door-to-door delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
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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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Remove the wing nut and pull off the cover. Remove and replace the filter. Replace the cover,
wing
nut and rubber duct. Tighten the hose clamp.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
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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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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C
to
93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F ( 10°C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
0 Park your vehicle on a level place and keep the
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
engine
running.
in “P’ (Park).
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P” (Park).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine. follow these
steps:
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The dipstick on the 2.2L L4 engine looks like this.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be
in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
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