engine coolant BUICK CENTURY 1993 User Guide

.
n
Part 6 Service and Appearance Care
. .
Here you will find information about the care of your Buick . This part 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 section devoted to
its appearance care .
Part 6 includes:
Service ........................................................................\
..... 222
Fuel ........................................................................\
...... 223
HoodRelease ....................................................................... \
226
Engine Oil ........................................................................\
. 227
Aircleaner ........................................................................\
2.3
TransaxleFluid ..................................................................... 236
Enginecoolant ..................................................................... 239
Power Steering Fluid ................................................................. 241
Windshield Washer Fluid .............................................................. 242
Brakes ........................................................................\
.... 243
Battery ........................................................................\
.... 244
BulbReplacement ................................................................... 245
Tires ........................................................................\
...... 251
Loadingyourvehicle ................................................................. 249
Appearancecare .................................................................... 258
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Add-on Electrical Equipment ............................ 265
Capacities and Specifications .......................................................... -270
Fuses&CircuitBreakers .............................................................. 266
ReplacementBulbs .................................................................... 269
ProCarManuals.com

/i 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.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it
firmly.
Engine Oil
I‘
I
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. The
3300 V6 engine oil dipstick is located near the front and
center
of the engine compartment.
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index. \
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262” F (128” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use: Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 1825-Mi’ which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement
(sealer) with any complete coolant change. If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
I
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your coollng system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Mur vehicle’s coolant
warning system
Is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong mlx, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. bur engine could catch
fire and you or others’could be burned. Use a
50/50 mPx of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
: warranty. Too much
l
and crack t
other parts
239
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Coolant
..
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s
side
of the engine compartment.
To Check Coolant: When your engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at “ADD:’
or a little higher.
When your engine
is warm, the level should be up to
“FULL HOT:’ or a little higher.
To Add Coolant: If you need more coolant, add the
proper
mix at the coolant recovery tank.
/i CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have
to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap-even
a little-when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and
it will burn if the engine parts are
hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot
engine.
240
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator Pressure Cap
ur radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
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 AC@ thermostat is
recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
mp ”-- How to Check Power
Steering Fluid:
I Unscrew the cap and wipe
the dipstick with a clean f rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the
dipstick. .1,. ,,
When me engine compartment is hot, the level should
When the engine compartment is cool, the level should
be at the “H” (Hot) mark.
be at the “C” (Cold) mark.
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
241
ProCarManuals.com

When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
,- . ,.
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add:
The windshield washer reservoir is located at the driver’s
side
of the engine compartment. The rear window washer fluid reservoir (for the wagon)
is the smaller
reservoir next
to the coolant recovery tank.
Open the cap labeled “WASHER FLUID ONLY? Add
washer fluid until the bottle
is full.
ProCarManuals.com

ITEM
NO. SERVICE
5 Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection-
* Inspect the belt for cracks, fraying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
6 Cooling System Service*-Drain, flush and
refill the system with new or approved recycled
coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M.
Keep coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index. This
provides proper freeze protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap
and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend
a pressure test of
both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
7 Transaxle Service-Change both the fluid and
filter every
l5,O00 miles (25 O00 km) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches
90°F (32OC) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
If you do’not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 0o0 km).
plugs with the proper type. See “Specifications
‘and Capacities” in the Index. delivery service.
8 Spark
Plug Replacement*-Replace spark
285
ProCarManuals.com

Section B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Be
sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Section
D.
At Each Fuel Fill (It is important for you or a service station attendant to perform these undechd checks at each fuel fill.)
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessar\
y. See “Engine Oil” in the
Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check the engine coolant level in the coolant recovery tank and add \
the proper coolant mix
I if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for furth\
er details. I
Windshield Washer Check the windshield washer fluid level in th\
e windshield washer tank and add the proper
Fluid Level
I fluid if necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the \
Index for further details. I
At Least Once a Month
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Tire Inflation Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflate\
d to the pressures specified on the Tire-
Loading Information label located on the rear edge of the driv\
er’s door. See “Tires”
in the
Index
for further details.
287
ProCarManuals.com

Section 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 FWID/LUBRICANT
..
Engine Oil GM Goodwrench Motor Oil or equivalent for API service SG. Energy Conserving 11 oils of
the proper viscosity.
The “SG’ designation may be shown alone or in combination with
others, such as “SGICC,” “SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC,” etc.
TO determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see “Engine Oil” in the Index. -1
- ~~
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of water (preferably distdled) and good quality ethyle\
ne glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part
No. 1052753 or equivalent) conforming to GM Specification 1825M or approved
recycled coolant‘conforming to GM Specification
1825M. I
Hydraulic Brake I Delco Supreme 1P B,rake Fluid (GM Part No. 1052535). or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
System
I
Parking. Brake Guides Chassis lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or GC-LB
I (GM Part No. 1052497 or equivalent).
I Power Steering
System
I
GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 1052884) or equivalent.
,
I
~ Automatic Transaxle I DEXRON@-IIE Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 12345881)
292
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Fluid ................................ .243. 292
Electrical Equipment
..................... .75. 117. 265
Engine Coolant
................ .195. 239. 270. 272. 292
Engine Oil
........................ .227. 270. 272. 292
Sound Equipment
................................ 117
Power Steering Fluid
................ .241. 271. 273. . 292
Transaxle Fluid
.................... .236. 271. 273. 292
Windshield Washer Fluid
.................... .242. 293
AirBag(S1R)
..................................... 35
Air Cleaner
............................. .233. 271. 273
Air Conditioner
.......................... .114. 270. 272
Alcohol in Gasoline
................................ 223
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 262
Antenna Care
..................................... 131
Antifreeze
.......................... .239. 270. 272. 292
Ashtrays and Lighter
............................... 104
Audiosystems
.................................... 116
AM/FM Stereo Radio
............................. 118
Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence
of
............... 143
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
....... .258. 264
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette Player
............ EO
AM/FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player ............ 123
Care
of Audio Systems ............................ 129 Radio Reception. Understanding
.............. 117
Setting the Clock
.................. .118. 121. 124
Automatic Door Locks
........................ 66
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt (see “Safety Belts”)
Automatic Transaxle Adding Fluid
................ .236. 271. 273. 292
Checking Fluid
........................... 236
Shifting
.................................. 77
Starting Your Engine
........................ 74
Batteries. Remote Lock Control
............... 66
Battery
.................................... 244
Jump Starting
............................. 185
Warnings
....................... .185, 186, 244
Battery Warning Light
........................ 108
Blizzard
................................... 173
Block Heater, Engine
.................... .76, 232
Blowout, Tire
............................... 205
Brake Adjustment
............................... 149
Fluid ............................... 243, 292
Master Cylinder
.......................... 243
Parking
.................................. 80
307
.
ProCarManuals.com