1997 BUICK CENTURY brake fluid

system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If
you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @I (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean
the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
A
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-27
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Brake Wear
NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index. Your
Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time
your vehicle is moving (except when
you are
pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Buick. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3 7-4
7-4
7-4
7-7
7-27
7-37
7-37
7-37
7-38 Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting the Right Schedule
Footnotes
Footnotes
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
At Each
Fuel Fill
At Least Once a Month
At Least Twice
a Year At
Least Once a Year
Part
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Exhaust System Inspection
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Brake System Inspection
Part
D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-38
7-4 I
7-4 1
7-4 1
7-4 1
7-4 1
7-4 1
7-42
7 -44
7-1
ProCarManuals.com

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
I USAGE I FLUIDLUBRICANT I
System Delco Supreme
11
@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967
or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid). 1
Power Steering
System GM
Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent). 1
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
-
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu
ose lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part No.
1234624 1 or equivalent).
Windshield Washer Solvent GM
Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM
Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
7-42
ProCarManuals.com

Section 9 Index
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..... 6-3
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-23
How
it Works ................................ 1-21
Location
.................................... 1-21
Readiness Light
......................... 1.20. 2.56
Servicing
................................... 1-24
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-22
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-23
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-22
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-1s
Air Conditioning
........................ 3-3,3-6, 3-9
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-63
Alarm, Instant
................................. 2- 12
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ...................... 6-5 1
AM-FM Stereo ................................ 3- 13
AM-FM Stereo
with Cassette Tape Player ........... 3- 15
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control
........................ 3- 18
AM-FM Stereo
with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control
........................ 3-22
AM-FM Stereo
with Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control
.......... 3-26
Antenna Backglass
.................................... 3-37
FixedMast
.................................. 3-36 Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2.59. 4.9
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.58. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Using ....................................... 4-9
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3-31
Appearance Care
............................... 6-45
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-54
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-49
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-33
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-35
Audio Systems
................................. 3-12
Audio Systems. Tips
............................ 3-34
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-32
Automatic Headlamp Control
............................ 2-42
Overdrive
(0) .......................... 2-24.2-25
Power Door Locks
............................. 2-7
Transaxle Check
.............................. 7-38
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-17
Transaxle Operation
........................... 2-22
Transaxle Park Mechanism Check ................ 7-40
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-50
Auxiliary Power Connection
...................... 2-51
9-1
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Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement ................. 6-35
Battery
....................................... 6-29
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2- 13
Rundown Protection ........................... 2-46
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
RBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Brake
Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-26
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-29
System Warning Light
......................... 2-57
Parking
..................................... 2-26
PedalTravel
................................. 6-29
Trailer
...................................... 4-34
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-29
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- I7
BTSICheck ................................... 7-39
Built-in Child Restraint .......................... 1-34
Built-in Child Restraint. Cleaning
.................. 6-48
Built-in Child Restraint Harness. Cleaning
........... 6-49
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-30
BTSI
......................................... 2-29 Canadian
Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-5
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.14.2.30.4.27. 4.33
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3- 16.3.20. 3.28
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-35
Cellular Phone Provisions
........................ 2-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
Bulb Replacement .... 6-32
Certification
Label .............................. 4-29
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-34
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-44
Change Oil Soon Light
.......................... 2-66
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-25
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-57
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
...................... 1.32. 1.33. 1-49
Built-in
..................................... 1-34
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-51
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-53
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-54
TopStrap ................................... 1-50
Wheretoput
................................ 1-49
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-50
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-15
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-51
Built-in Child Restraint
........................ 6-48
Built-in Child Restraint Harness
................. 6-49
Fabric
...................................... 6-46
Glass ....................................... 6-49
Cassette
Tape Player Errors
............. 3- 17.3.21. 3.28
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-25
Cleaning
...................................... 6-45
9-2
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-28
Lighter
....................................... 2-50
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-20’2-56
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-59, 4-9
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-58, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-57
Change Oil Soon
............................. 2-66
Charging System
............................. 2-57
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning
...................... 2-68
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-60
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-61, 6-22
LowFuel
................................... 2-68
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2-65, 6- 10
Low Traction ................................ 2-6 1
Low Washer Fluid Warning ................ 2-37, 2-67
Oilwarning
................................. 2-64
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-5, 2-56
Security
.................................... 2-66
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-62
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-67
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Delayed Locking
.............................. 2-8
Cruise
...................................... 2-67
Locks Automatic Power Door
......................... 2-7
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-40
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Lockout Prevention Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4 PowerDoor
.................................. 2-3
Rear Door Security Locks ....................... 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
..................................... 2-32
Loss of Control
................................ 4-13
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-61, 6-22
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2-65, 6-10
Low Traction Light ............................. 2-61
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ............. 2-37, 2-67
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Lubricants
and Fluids ............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-38
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-68
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-63
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-44
How it’s Organized
............................ 7-3
Long Trip/Highway
........................... 7-27
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
and Lubricants ............................... 7-42
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Maintenance Schedule, Recommended Fluids
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Malfunction Indicator Lamp .............. ... 2-62
Manual
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Front Seat
.................................... 1-2
Outside Mirrors .............................. 2-47
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
................ 3-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-46
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview
............. 2-47
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Heated Foldaway Outside
...................... 2-48
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-46
Manual Outside
.............................. 2-47
Power Outside
............................... 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-5 I
MMT ......................................... 6-4
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-49
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-23
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- I7
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer
.................................... 2-55
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-55
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-64
Overdrive.
(a) Automatic ................... 2-24.2-25
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-10
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-22
Shifting Into
................................. 2-27
Shifting
Out of ............................... 2-29
AtNight
.................................... 2-15
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
....................................... 2-15
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-30
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
.................. 6-16
Passing
....................................... 4-12
PASS-Key
I1 ................................. 2-16
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-41
Power
Auxiliary Connection
.......................... 2-51
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Outside Mirrors
.............................. 2-48
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-46
Seat (Six-Way)
................................ 1-3
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-24
Windows
................................... 2-32
Pregnancy . Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-18
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-10
Parking
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Publications. Service and Owner. Ordering
in Canada ... 8-9
9-7
ProCarManuals.com