1996 BUICK CENTURY load capacity

Luggage Carrier (Option)
If you have the optional luggage carrier, you can load
things on top
of a wagon, or on the deck lid of your
vehicle. The luggage carrier has slats attached to the
roof, side rails and adjustable crossrails. The crossrails
can be adjusted by loosening the screws. After moving
the crossrails, be sure to tighten the screws securely.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your Buick. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading,
see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss
of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and
cargo are still securely fastened.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 50 lbs.
(23 kg) for the deck lid or 200 lbs. (90kg) for the
roof on the luggage carrier may damage your
vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your
vehicle. Load your cargo
so that it rests on the
slats and does not scratch or damage the vehicle.
Put the cargo against the rear rail of the deck lid
carrier and fasten it securely. On the wagon, put
the cargo against the side rails of the roof carrier
and fasten it securely.
Ashtrays and Lighter
Reach under the front edge of the ashtray compartment
to open it.
To remove the ashtray for cleaning, reach
under the ashtray and push up from behind
it.
To clean the rear ashtrays, fully open the ashtray.
Press down on the snuffer
as you pull the ashtray
down and out.
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Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION VEHICLE CAP.
WT.
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS.
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT
XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives
you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and
the total weight that you can
carry. This weight
is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight
of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE
U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER,
AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS
IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
I
The other label, is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of
the driver’s door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes
the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
If
you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Don’t carry more than 160 lbs.
(72 kg) in the sedan
trunk or
300 lbs. (136 kg) in the wagon rear area.
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lg a Trailer Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a
2.2L (VIN Code 4) engine.
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work
well -- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your Buick dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Buick dealer
for important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Your
vehicle can tow
a trailer if it is equipped with the
3.1L V6 (VTN Code M) engine and proper trailer towing
equipment.
To identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity
is for your vehicle, you should read the
information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later
in this section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In
it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that
of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
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Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight
of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight
of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.
See “Loading
Your Vehicle”
in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(€3). If you have a weight-distributing hitch, the
trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to
see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers
on the Certification label at the rear edge of
the driver’s door or see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
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In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice
unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling
one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset. If
you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wl 21 Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace
it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Buick dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the
one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel
nuts for your
Buick model. Using
the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It
could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your
tires lose air and make you lose
control. You could have
a collision in which you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer
or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~ ~
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
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