BUICK CENTURY 1994 Owners Manual
Page 251 of 308
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield, Backglass and Wiper
Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside
of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM Part
No.
105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not form
when
you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked in full strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse
the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold
water.
Don’t wash your vehicle
in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not
allowed
to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry
the finish with a soft, clean chamois or a
100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick may
be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You
can get GM approved cleaning products from your dealer.
(See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index.)
Your Buick has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
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basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish.
I
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar
to the painted surface
of your buick. Don’t use strong
soaps, chemicals, chrome polish, abrasive cleaners
or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage this coating. After rinsing thoroughly,
a wax
may be applied.
NOTICE:
If you have aluminum wheels, don’t use an
automatic vehicle wash that has hard silicon
carbide cleaning brushes. These brushes can
take
off the protective coating.
White Sidewall Tires
Your Buick dealer has a GM White Sidewall Tire
Cleaner.
You can use a stiff brush with the cleaner.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth
at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended Fluids
& Lubricants’’ in the Index.)
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material
to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Use cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
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Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas
of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur
on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20
000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
You can get these from your Buick dealer.
I I I
PART
I NUMBER I SIZE I DESCRIPTION I USAGE
See Your Maintenance Schedule for Other Products
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
I 1111 11111 11 11 I I 111 I 11 111n1 111 I 11111 111 I 11111111 11 1111 111 11 I 111111 II I
I
ENGINE A4 f ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
mII I1 111111111 I111 111 1111l111111111111111111111111111111111111l111 II=
SAMPLE4UXRM072675 I
This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on your spare tire cover in the
coupe
or sedan. In the wagon, you’ll find the label on
the wheel well (remove the spare tire cover to expose
the wheel well). It’s very helpful if
you ever need to
order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
0 the model designation,
paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and special.
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
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Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Buick
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working
as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Buick, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick” in the Index.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by
a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal links
in the wiring itself. This
greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical
problems.
The fuse panel is located inside the glove box,
on the
left side.
To change a fuse, open the glove box. Pull down on the
fuse panel latch and open the door. Pull the fuse straight
out.
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r Fuse Usage
I
Fuse Amp Circuitry
1 15 ECM, MAF Sensor (3 100 Engine only)
2 20 ECM Injectors/Coil
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
I 16
5
15
10
20
20
10
20 20
30"
5
10
30"
25
20
Automatic Door LockAJnlock
Turn Signal Flasher, Back-up Lights, Trunkbiftgate Release
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bag)
Tail, Park, Side Marker, License Plate, Stop/Turn Signal Heater/Air Conditioner
Gages, Warning Indicators, Torque Convert Clutch, Audible Warning\
System, Computer Command
Control, Trunk Release, Brake Warning Indicator, Rear Defog Swit\
ch, Speedometer
Stop Lights, Hazard Flashers
Interior, Underhood, Courtesy,
I/P, Trunk Lights, Door Locks, Horn Relay, Passive Restraint System, \
Deck
Lid Release, Power Antenna
Liftgate Release, Power Windows
Illumination for:
I/P, Radio, Pod Lights, Ashtray, Console Light, Heater-A/C Control, D\
efog Switch,
Headlight Switch
Radio, Cruise Control
Seats, Door Locks, Rear Defog
Windshield WipefWash
Cigarette Lighter
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Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the light switch. An electrical overload will cause the
lights
to go on and off or, in some cases, to remain off. If
this happens, have your headlight system checked right
away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc.,
the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Window
Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting
the circuit until the problem is fixed.
Cigarette Lighter Fuse and Safety Belt Fuse
These fuses are located behind the glove box. The fuse
holders are taped together with gray tape.
Other Fuses
The Safety Belt/Chime (ICAM) Module fuse and the
Remote Lock Control fuse are located behind the fuse
block, above the hush panel.
The Fuel Pump and
ECM fuses are located under the
hood.
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Century Dimensions
Inches Unless Otherwise Noted
Overall:
Length .................
Width ..................
Height .................
Wheelbase ..............
Front Tread .............
Rear Tread ..............
Interior Front:
Leg Room ..............
Head Room .............
Shoulder Room ..........
Hip Room ..............
Sedan
189.1
69.4 54.2
104.9
56.7 58.7
42.1 38.6
55.9
50.0
Wagon
190.1 69.4 54.2
104.9
58.7
56.7
42.1 38.6
55.9
50.0
Interior Rear:
Leg Room ..............
Head Room .............
Shoulder Room ..........
Hip Room ..............
Trunk Capacity:
Cu . Ft .................
Passengers:
Front ...................
Rear ...................
Rear-Facing Third Seat ....
Sedan
Wagon
35.9 34.8
38.3 38.9
56.0 56.0
54.3
54.3
16.2
3
3
.
Base Curb Weight:
Lbs .................... 2974 41.6
3
3
2
3134
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~ ~~~ Replaceable Light Bulbs
Application Number
Exterior
Back-up Lamps ........................ 1156
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Except Luggage Carrier Mounted
........ 1 141
Front Parking/Tum Signal Lamps
.......... 2057
Headlamps Low-Beam
.......................... 9006
High-Beam
.......................... 9005
License Plate Lamps
..................... 194
Rear Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps
......... 2057
Tail Lamp Only
....................... 194
Tail/Stop Only
........................ 194
Front
................................ 194
Rear
................................. 24
Underhood Lamp
....................... 56 1
Luggage Carrier Mounted ............... 577
Sidemarker Lamps
Application Number
Interior
Air Conditioner/Heater Controls .......... T- 1 . 0
Ashtray ............................... 194
Cluster Lighting
........................ 161
Courtesy Lamps
........................ 561
Dome
............................... 2 1 1-2
Dome Courtesy
....................... 214-2
Domemeading Lamps
.................... 906
Gear Selector Indicator
................. 194G
GloveBox
............................. 174
Indicator Lamps
........................ 194
Indicator Lamp
. SRS .................... 195
Rear Compartment Lid Lamp
............. 1003
Rear Dome
. Wagon ................... 211-2
Turn Signal Indicators
.................... 194
Vanity Mirror
.......................... 124
Headlamp High-Beam
Indicator
............ 194
Map
.................................. 168
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