1997 BUICK CENTURY steering

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if
you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely
to leak out slowly.
But
if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer
to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to
go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how
to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAC ,,.IN:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and
roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire.
To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.
5-25
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“roclung” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 kmh) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle
is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries,
you may need
to be towed out. If you do need
to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
5-38
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Buick. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then
it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted
to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-
5
6-7
6- 10
6-15
6-17
6-20
6-24
6-25
6-26
6-29
6-30
6-37 6-45
6-45
6-48
6-49 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Buick
Cleaning the Built-in Child Restraint
Care
of Safety Belts and Built-in Child
Restraint Harness 6-49
6-49
6-50
6-50
6-5 1
6-52
6-52 6-52
6-5
3
6-53
6-54
6-55
6-55
6-56 6-62
6-62
6-63
6-63
6-63 Cleaning
Glass Surfaces
Cleaning the Outside
of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
Weatherstrips
Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
Cleaning Tires
Sheet Metal Damage
Finish Damage
Underbody Maintenance
Chemical Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Vehicle Dimensions
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6-1
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Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle,
located just below the
instrument panel and
to the
left
of the steering column.
Then
go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
6-8
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When you open the hood on the 3 100 (Code M) Engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Radiator
Fill Cap
C. Remote Positive Battery Terminal
Reservoir
D. Power
Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
J. Air Cleaner
6-9
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Power Steering Fluid How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe
the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again and
look at
the fluid level on the dipstick.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. When
the engine compartment
is hot, the level should be
at the
HOT mark. If the fluid is at the ADD mark, you
should add fluid.
6-24
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Fuse
23 24
26 27
28
29
30
31
32
Description
Cigarette Lighter -- Auxiliary
Power Connection, Data Link
Stoplamps
Parklamps Auxiliary Power Connection
--
Hot in ACC and Run
Crank Signal
-- Body Control
Module, Cluster, Powertrain
Control
Modules
Ignition Signal -- HVAC
Control Head
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
Air Bag
Anti-lock Brake Controls, Body
Control Module
Fuse
33
34
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Description
Hazard Flashers
Not Used
Ignition Signal
-- Hot in ACC and
Run
-- Body Control Module
Anti-lock Brake Solenoids
Low Blower
Anti-lock Brakes
Turn Signals Radio,
HVAC head, Keyless Entry,
Cluster
High Blower
Not Used
Steering Wheel Controls
Wipers
6-59
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Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger's Side
Some fuses and relays are in the underhood electrical
center on the passenger's side
of the engine compartment.
D
121
(31
(41
(51 F I I I I
m
[61
18j
(71 [TI
Fuse
1
2
3
Description
Cooling Fan
Starter Solenoid
Power Seats, Rear Defog
4
5
6
7
8
Relay
9
10
11
12
13
14
High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror, Door Locks
Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps,
ABS, Turn Signals, Cluster, Air Bag,
DRL Module
Cooling Fan
Interior Lamps, Retained Accessory
Power, ABS, Keyless Entry, Data Link,
HVAC Head, Cluster, Radio,
AUX Power, Cigarette Lighter
Ignition Switch, Wipers, Radio,
Steering Wheel Controls, Body Control
Module, AUX Power, Power Windows,
Sunroof, HVAC Controls, DRL, Rear
Defog Relay
Description
Cooling Fan 2
Cooling Fan 3
Starter Solenoid
Cooling Fan
1
Ignition Main
Not Used
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