1999 BUICK CENTURY engine coolant

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3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air
bleed valves.
There are two bleed valves. One is located on the
thermostat housing. The other is located on the
thermostat bypass tube.
4. Fill the radiator with the
proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture, up to
the base of the filler
neck. (See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index
for more information
about the proper
coolant mixture.)
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air bleed
valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the valves after
the radiator is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.

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6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
mark on the coolant recovery tank.
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap off.8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
9. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.

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10. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº 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 ªblowout,º 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.

6-
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. 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 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-21 Engine Coolant
6
-24 Power Steering Fluid
6
-26 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-27 Brakes
6
-30 Battery
6
-31 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Tires6
-50 Appearance Care
6
-50 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-53 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-53 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-55 Cleaning Tires
6
-57 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-58 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-58 Electrical System
6
-64 Replacement Bulbs
6
-64 Capacities and Specifications
6
-65 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-65 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
6
-65 Vehicle Dimensions

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Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

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When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirG. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

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Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
ACDelco
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an ACDelco


thermostat is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

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NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant.