1997 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
I A CAUTION:
I
A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below. injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in
the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
PARK
(P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK
(P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
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Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is
in PARK (P).
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK
(P)
Mechanism Check Park on
a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P). Then
1
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
injured and property could be damaged. Make can collect.
sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move. At
least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall). You should let your
GM dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures
to perform these services may be
found in a
GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs
of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts
as well as open seams, holes,
loose connections or other conditions which could
cause
a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust’’
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace
as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do
not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
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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.
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USAGE FLUIDLUBRICANT
Hood Latch
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
Assembly,
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
Pivots, Spring
Category LB or GC-LB.
Release Pawl requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Anchor
and equivalent) or lubricant
meeting
Hood and Door Multi-pur ose lubricant,
Hinges Superlube
%I (GM Part
No. 12346241
or equivalent).
.-. :. .
USAGE FLUIDLUBRICANT
Door Latches Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Weatherstrip Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Conditioning Part’No. 12345579
or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can
be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts.
Your owner information portfolio
is
a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
SERVICED
BY READING
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Maintenance Record
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Maintenance Record
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