1996 BUICK CENTURY air conditioning

When outside temperatures are cold, sliding the upper
lever to HEATER and the lower lever to HOT will
send heated air through the heater ducts, and some
through the defroster vents. VENT and
HEATER
are labeled ECONOMY positions because the air
conditioner compressor doesn't run
in these two
settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in
improved fuel economy. If either setting fails to keep
you comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up,
slide the upper lever to one
of the air conditioning
positions, or to DEF (defrost).
The
upper lever has three air conditioner settings. On
very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot,
inside air escape. This reduces the amount
of work your
air conditioner's compressor will have
to do, which
should help fuel economy.
MAX: Provides maximum cooling with the least
amount
of work. This setting recirculates much of the
air inside your vehicle
so it maximizes your air
conditioner's performance and fuel economy.
NORM: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This
setting cools outside air and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV: Use this on cool, but sunny days. This setting
brings
in the outside air, and directs it in two ways. The
cool air is directed to the upper portion of your body
through the instrument panel outlets, and warmed air is
directed through the heater ducts and defroster vents. At
times, this temperature difference may be more apparent
than others.
The air conditioner compressor operates in all air
conditioning positions, and in
DEF (defrdst) when the
outside temperature is above about
40°F (4.5"C).
r gii
The DEF setting directs most of the air through the
defroster vents and some through the heater dl
s.
To quickly defog the windshield, set the upper le ~ r to
DEF and move the fan switch to HI. Slide the lower
lever to HOT.
In damp, cool weather (temperatures about 45"to
65"F,
7 " to 18 " C), you can use BI-LEV to defog the side
windows. Set the upper lever to BI-LEV and the fan
switch to HI. Aim the side vents toward the side
windows, For increased airflow to the side vents, close
the center vents.
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Rear Window Defogger
REAR
!
The rear window defogger
uses
a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear
window. In winter, it can
also keep ice from forming
on the rear window.
Press the
ON portion of the switch. The indicator light
will glow. The rear window defogger
will turn off
automatically after about 10 minutes of use. You can
also
turn it off by turning off the ignition or pressing the
OFF portion of the switch.
I NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
Your Buick’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when
it is moving. Outside
air
will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air
conditioning fan is running.
For mild outside temperatures, when
little heating or
cooling is needed, slide the upper lever to VENT.
Airflow is through the instrument panel outlets. Rotate
the control next to the outlets to turn on, adjust or turn
off the airflow. Adjust the lower lever
on the control
panel
to the temperature desired.
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Refrigerant (R=l34a), Air Conditioning*
2.2L (Code 4) .................................................... 1.75 lbs. (0.8kg)
3.1L V6 (Code
M) ................................................. 2.0 Ibs. (0.9kg)
*See “Air Conditioning Refrigerants” later in this section.
Power Steering
Pump Only 2.2L
L4 (Code 4) .................................................. 1 pint (0.47 L)
3.1L V6 (Code M) ................................................. 1 pint (0.47 L)
2.2L L4 (Code 4) ................................................ 1.7 pints (0.82 L)
Wheel Nut Torque ............................................ 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Type
...................................................... RH/LH 4.75 pin RRpin
Length
............................................... 18” (457 mm) 16” (406 mm)
Complete System
3.1L V6
(Code M) ................................................ 1.6 pints (0.75 L)
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Fuel Tank
................
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........
NOTE: All capacities are approx
manual. .i
................................... 16.5
gallons 62.4 L
........ See Tire-Loading Information label on driver’s door.
mate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
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Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.2L L4 .................... AC Type A-905C
3.1L
V6 .................... AC Qpe A-925C
All Engines
................... AC Type PF-47
2.2L L4 ................... AC Type CV-900C
3.1L
V6 ................... AC Type CV-892C
2.2LL4
.......................... 24574912
Gap:
0.060 inch (1.50 mm)
3.1L V6 .................... AC Type 041-940
Gap:
0.060 inch (1 SO mm)
Batteries
Remote Keyless Duracell Type
Entry Transmitter ........ DL2016 (2) or equivalent
Engine Oil Filter
PCV Valve
Spark Plugs
8 .................
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Buick dealer.
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Section 9 Index
Air Bag ...................................... I -2 1
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-23
How it Works ................................ 1-22
Location
.................................... 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1-21? 2-49
Servicing
................................... 1-25
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 2-23
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-14
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-64
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-5 I
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-10
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-22
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2-53. 4.8
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-5 1. 4.6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Appearancecare
............................... 6-46
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-54
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-6
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-39
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-42 Audio
Equipment. Adding
......................... 3-9
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-4
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-17
Automatic Transaxle Check
....................... 7-38
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-17
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-16
Shifting
..................................... 2-16
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-40
Battery
...................................... 6.3 2
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Warning Light
............................... 2-50
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-6
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
Brake Replacement.
Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-6
Adjustment
.................................. 6-31
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-19
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-50
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Rear Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-28
Seat Passengers
.............................. 1-28
Storage Compartment
......................... 2-39
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Window Defogger
............................. 3-3
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-37
Inside Daymight ............................. 2-37
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-2
Recovery Tank. Coolant
.......................... 5- 16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-64
Remote
Keyless Entry
................................. 2-4
Trunk Release
................................. 2-7
Replacement
Bulbs
...................................... 6-60
Parts
....................................... 6-64
Wheel
...................................... 6-44
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-7
Restraints Child
....................................... 1-33
Checking
................................... 1-46
Head
........................................ 1-4
Replacing Parts
After a Crash ................... 1-46
Systemcheck
................................ 7-38
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2- 17
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-4
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-4
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-39
Rotation, Tires
................................. 6-40 Safety
Belts
................................... 1-8
Automatic Ldp-Shoulder
....................... 1-14
Care
....................................... 6-49
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-27
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position ............................... 1-13
Extender .................................... 1-46
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1-13
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 17, 1-44, 1-45
LapBelt .................................... 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-43
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-28
Replacing After
a Crash ........................ 1-46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
Station Wagon Third Seat Passenger Position
....... 1-27
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-25
Warning Light
........................... 1-8, 2-49
WhyTheyWork ............................... 1-9
Safety Chains .................................. 4-33
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-7
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... viii
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-3
Seatback Power Recliner
................................ 1-2
Reclining Front
............................... 1-2
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Lap-Shoulder
................................ 1-29
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