1997 BUICK CENTURY flat tire

Treadwear Temperature -- A, B, C
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction. The
temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
6-42
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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.
It Wknnls
Putting
a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size
for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
6-44
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I IMPORTANT:
I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
El
protection
Plan
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See your
Wlwranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your Buick
dealer
for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified
to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pegorm these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer
Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-37
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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
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Drunken Driving ................................ 4-3 Fabric Cleaning ............................. 6-46
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7 Features and Controls ............................ 2-1
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control .................. 3-4 Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter.Air
..................................... 6-15
Electrical Equipment. Adding
..... 2.20. 2-5 1. 3-35: 6-56
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2-20. 3.35. 6-55
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-60
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-60
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-3 1
Specifications ................................ 6-63
Starting Your
................................ 2- I9
Engine011
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- I2
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-41 Filter. Engine
Oil
............................... 6-14
Filter. Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-50
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire
. Changjng ............................. 5-25
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual 11
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canadian
................................ 6-3. 6-5
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-68
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Bre.akers ....................... 6-57
Finish Damage
................................. 6-52
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-60
Fuel
....................................... 2-68
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-22
GloveBox
.................................... 2-49
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
GAWR
....................................... 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
9-4
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tiuide en Franpis 11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
Flash-to-Pass ................................ 2-35
High/LowBeam
.............................. 2-35
On Reminder
................................ 2-41
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heated Foldaway Outside Mirrors
.................. 2-48
Heating
............................... 3-4.3-6. 3- 10
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-44
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-38
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-46
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
.. ................................. Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-41
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-41
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Cluster
..................................... 2-54
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-15
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-45
Exterior
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Reading. Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-45
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