1996 BUICK CENTURY battery

Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in and even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar. When
the hazard warning flashers are on, your
turn signals
won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
~f you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up
at the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and
some jumper cables to start your
Buick. But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
A CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some
or all
of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
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2.
3.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Buick, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Turn
off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
Find the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
A
I CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5-3
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Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need
to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new
GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take
care of that
first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don’t connect positive (+) to
negative (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage
the battery and maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
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6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Don’t let the
other
end touch metal.
Connect it
to the
positive
(+) terminal
of the good battery.
8. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good
battery’s negative
(-) terminal.
5-5
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9. Don't let the other end
touch anything until
the next step. The other
end of the negative
,(-)
cable doesn't go to the
dead battery. It goes to
a heavy unpainted
metal part on the
engine
of the vehicle
with the dead battery.
10. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
11 .. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
the engine
for a
while.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
5-6
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13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other
or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Buick dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Century. See “Roadside Assistance” in
the index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may
not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When
the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to see them.
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When you open the hood of your 2.2L engine you’ll see:
D. Engine Oil Cap and Dipstick G. Engine Fan
E. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick H. Air Cleaner
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir 1. Battery
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Power Steering Reservoir
6-8
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When you open the hood of your 3.1 L engine you’ll see:
A
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
E. Oil Fill Cap
E Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Fan
I. Air Cleaner
J. Battery
6-9
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