warning BUICK CENTURY 1994 Owner's Manual

Page 159 of 308

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where you are going.
Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown
part of
the city just as you would for a cross-country
trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See
the
next section, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red
light.
Freeway Driving
..
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways,
parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways)
are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own
special rules.
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Page 164 of 308

.I. L.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and the
road,
you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a
lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful.
What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive
on. But wet
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Page 173 of 308

@) Part 5 Problems on the Road
I
I
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .
Part 5 includes:
HazardWarningFlashers ............................................................ 172
OtherWarningDevices
............................................................. 173
“Jump”Starting
................................................................... 174
TowingYourBuick
................................................................ 178
Engineoverheating
................................................................ 184
IfaTireGoesFlat
................................................................. 193
ChangingaFlatTire
................................................................ 194
CompactSpareTire
................................................................ 205
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow .............................................. 206
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Page 174 of 308

Hazard Warning Flashers
m
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have
a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lights will flash on and
off.
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Page 175 of 308

.-
Press the button in to make
your front and rear turn
signal lights flash on
and off.
Your hazard warning
flashers work no matter
what position your key is
in, and even if the key
isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, pull
out on the collar.
When
the hazard warning
flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Buick. But please follow the steps below
to do it safely.
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Page 180 of 308

Towing Your Buick
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Buick. The usual towing equipment is
a sling-type
(A) or a wheel-lift (B) or car carrier (C)
tow truck. If
your
vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell
the towing service:
0 That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
0 The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to
see them.
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Page 186 of 308

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage or the warning
light about a hot engine on
your Buick’s instrument
panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when
you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
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Page 187 of 308

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to keep your engine under load (in a drive gear
where the engine runs slower).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you're parked, to see
if the
warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning,
TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND GET EVERYONE
OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down. When you
decide it's safe to
lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the the
“FULL HOT” mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing
you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you
do it.
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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.
The following steps
will tell you how to use the jack and
change a
tire.
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