flat tire BUICK CENTURY 1993 User Guide

n
ACAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people
in a sudden stop or turn, or
In a crash.
* Put things In the trunk or rear area of your
vehicle. In
a trunk, put them as far forward
as you can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
* Never stack heavier things, IPke suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
* When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
* Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle comes with high
quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. These
tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers and their
warranties are delivered with every new Buick. If your spare tire is a different brand than your road tires, you
will have a tire warranty folder from each
of these
manufacturers.
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a ngsult
of too much friction.
Mu could
have an air-out and a serious
accident.
See “Loading bur Vehicle” in the
Index.
* Underlnflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check
all tires
frequently to maintain the recornmended
pressure. Tire pressure should
be checked
when your tires are cold.
* Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken
by a sudden Impact,
such as when you
hit a pothole. Keep tires at
the recommended pressure.
tread
Is badly worn, or If your tlps have
been damaged, replace them.
* Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
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Inflation-Tire Pressure When to Check: Check your tires once a month’or
The Tire-Loading Inforlnation label which is on the rear
’ more. Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
edge of the driver’s door shows
the correct inflation at 60 psi (420 kPa).
pressures for your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three
hours or driven no more than a ‘mile.
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell
you the pressure, especially if you have radial tires-which
may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. \
They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
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Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended
in the Maintenance
Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressure as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that -all wheel
nuts are
properly tightend. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” in the
Index.
1
I A CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which
It Is fastened, can make the’wheel nuts
become loose after a Qlme. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the
vehlcle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to us8
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get
all the rust or dirt off. (See “Changing a
Flat Tlre” in the Index.)
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Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material'of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Those grades are molded on the sidewalls of'passenger
car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicIes may vary with
respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved
for use
on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the, factory to give you the longest tire life and
best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you-notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a
smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel'nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air
out, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your Buick dealer
if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
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Introduction
A Word,About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly
how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive long
distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You
may use. your vehicle
in making deliveries. Or you may
drive it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you will
find
in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to have
their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be relied
upon to use proper parts and practices.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but
also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal
of important components can significantly affect
the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or
even the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to help keep your vehicle in
good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
How This Part is Organized
The remainder of this part is divided into five sections:
“Section
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some
of these services
can
be complex, so unless you are technically qualified
and have the necessary equipment, you should let your
dealer’s service department or another qualified service
center do these
jobs.
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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.
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Pedal Travel ...................................... 149
RearDrum
..................................... 149
Replacement
................................... 244
Warning Light-
.................................. 109
Wear Indicators-Disc Brakes ....................... 148
Brake System Wakng Light
......................... 109
Braking in Emergencies .............................. 149
“Break-In:’ New Vehicle
Normd Driving. ................................. 72
When Towing a Trailer
........................... 176
Braking
......................................... 146
Buckling Up (see “Safety Belts”)
Bulb Replacement
Headlight
................................. .245. 269
Turn Signal ............................... .246, 269
Taillight
.................................. .247. 269
capacities and Specifications
................. .270. 272
CarbonMonoxide
.............................. 83. 173
Cargo Security Cover
................................ 101
Cassette Tape Holder
............................... 103
Cassette Tape Player
(see “Audio Systems”)
Center Passenger Position
............................ 41
Chains. Tire
................................. .217. 257
Changing a Flat Tire
............................... 205
Checking BrakeFluid
.................................... 243
Engine Coolant
................................. 239
Engine0
il ..................................... 227 Power Steering Fluid
............................. 241
Safety Belt Systems
......... ...................... 60
Transaxle Fluid .................................. 236
Underhood
..................................... 226
Chemical paint Spotting
............................ 263
ChildRestraints
.................................... 47
Children’
......................................... 45
Cigarette Lighter
.................................. 105
Circuit Breakers
& Fuses ........................... 266
Cleaner, Air
............................. .233. 271. 273
Cleaning AluminumWheels
............................... 262
Antenna
....................................... 131
Cassette Player .................................. 129
Fabric
........................................ 258
Glass
.......................................... 261
Inside of Your Buick ............................. 258
Materials ........................................ 264
Outside of Your Buick
............................ 261
Safety Belts
.................................... 261
Special Problems
................................ 260
Top of Instrument Panel
........................... 260
Underbody Maintenance
.......................... 263
Vinyl
......................................... 260
Warnings ...................................... 258
Weatherstrips
.................................... ‘262
White Sidewall Tires
............................. 262
Windshield and Wiper Blades
...................... 261
Climate Control
................................... 115
CityDriving ..................................... 162
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Engine Coolant .......................... .238. 270. 272
Checking
& Adding ......................... .l95. 239
Proper Mixture
to Use ............................ 239
Safety Warnings About
.................... 110. 195. 201
Temperature Gage
................................ 110
Temperature Warning Light
........................ 110
(see “Engine Coolant”)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
Engine Exhaust
................................ .83. 173
Engine Identification
.............................. -265
Engineoil
....................................... 227
Additives
...................................... 231
Checking
& Adding ................. .227. 270. 272. 292
Crankcase Capacity
.......................... .270. 272
Energy Conserving
.............................. 231
Warning Light
.................................. 107
When to Change
................................ 232
Engine Specifications
......................... .270. 272
Engine. Starting
.................................... 74
Ethanol in Gasoline.
............................... 223
Exhaust Dangerous Gas
in ............................ .83. 173’
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ................. 40
Expressway Driving
............................... 163
Extender. Safety Belt
................................ 60
Disposing of Used Oil ............................ 232
Filter
................................. 232.271. 273
Engine Overheating
............................ 110. 195
Running Engine While Parked
....................... 84
Exterior Appearance (see “Appearance Care”) Fabric
cleaning
(see ‘%Appearance care”)
Fan Warnings
.................... .186. 187. 197. 199. 226
Filling the Fuel Tank
...................... .225. 270. 272
Filter. Oil
................................ 232.271. 273
Finish Damage
................................... 263
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........................... 184
Flat Tire
........................................ 205
Flip-Open Rear Vent Windows
........................ 85
Flooded Engine
.................................... 75
Capacities
..................................... 292
Power Steering
..................... .241. 271. 273. 292
Transaxle
......................... .236. 271. 273. 292
Windshield Washer
...................... .89. 242. 293
Fluids and Lubricants
.............................. 292
Fog. Driving
in ................................... 160
FoldingRearSeats .................................. 18
Freeway Driving
.................................. 163
French Language Manual
............................. 2
Fluid
Brake
..................................... 243. 292
Foreign Counties
.................................... 224
Fuel
............................................ 223
AlcoholinFuel
................................. 223
Capacity
................................... 270. 272
Exhaust Warnings
........................... .83. 173
Filling Your Tank
....................... .225. 270. 272
In Foreign Countries
............................. 224
Mileage Chart
.................................. 320
Gage
.......................................... 107
Requirements . ................................... 223
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Warnings ...................................... 225
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................... 266
Gages Battery
......................................... 109
Coolant Temperature
............................. 110
Fuel
.......................................... 107
Gasoline
........................................ 223
Gasoline Tank. Filling Your
................ .225. 270. 272
Gear Positions (see “Shifting the Transaxle”) Gearshift Lever
(see “Shifting the Transaxle”)
GloveBox
........................................ 71
Halogen Bulbs ............................ .245. 269
Hazard Warning Flashers
........................... 184
Headlight
& Taillight. Removing and Replacing . .245. 247. 269
Headlights
........................................ 95
High-Low Beam Changer
.......................... 88
Instrument Panel Light Intensity Control ............... 95
“0n”Warning
................................... 96
Replacement Bulb ............................... 269
Head Restraints
.................................... 17
Hearing or Speech Impaired
......................... 301
Heater (see “Comfort Controls”)
Heater, Engine Block
.......................... .76. 232
HighBeams
................................... 88, 157
Highway Hypnosis ................................. 165
Wiring
........................................ 268 HillandMountainRoads
............................ 166
Hills. Parking on ............................. .168. 180
Hood Release .................................... 226
Safety Warning
............................ .226. 227
Warning. Overheated Engine
.............. .195. 200. 202
Horn ............................................ 86
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings
............... .195. 200. 202
Hydroplaning ..................................... 159
Identification Number. Vehicle
...................... 265
Idling Your Engine
................................. 82
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ............. 219
Ignition Key
........................................... 64
Positions ....................................... 73
Indicator Lights
(see “Warning Lights”)
Infant Restraint (see “Child Restraints”)
Inflation. Tires
................................... 252
Inside Rearview Mirror
.............................. 98
Instrument Panel .................................. 105
Instrument Panel Warning Lights ...................... 106
...................................... J ack. Ti re 205
Jump Starting
..................................... 185
Keyless Entry System
............................. 66
I
Keys ............................................ 64
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Traffic Lights ................................... 140
Your Own Signals
................................ 141
Roads. Hill and Mountain
........................... 166
Rocking Your Vehicle
............................... 218
Rotation. Tire
.................................... 253
Running Your Engine While Parked .................... 84
safety Belt Extender
.............................. 60
Sa~~Bel ts ....................................... 23
Adults
......................................... 29
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
....................... 30
Center Passenger Position
.......................... 41
Checking
....................................... 60
Children ........................................ 45
ChildRes traints
.................................. 47
Cleaning
....................................... 261
Driver Position
.................................. 30
Extender ....................................... 60
Howtowear .................................... 29
LargerChildren
.................................. 58
Pregnancy. Use During ............................ 40
Questions &Answers
.............. .28, 29. 33. 34. 35. 61
RearSafetyBel ts ................................. 43
Replacement
.................................... 61
Right Front, Adult Passenger
........................ 40
Smaller Children and Babies
........................ 46
Third Seat Passenger Position
....................... 41
TopStrap
....................................... 48 Torn
........................................... 61
Twisted
........................................ 35
Vehicles First Sold in Canada
....................... 30
Warning Light
................................... 29
Why You Should Wear Safety Belts ................... 23
Safety Defects. Reporting
........................... 302
Scheduled Maintenance Services
...................... 278
Seat Belts
(see “Safety Belts”)
Seats
............................................ 14
Front Seatback Latches
........................... -17
HeadRestraints
.................................. 17
Manual Front Seat
................................ 14
Power Seat
...................................... 15
Rear Seats, Folding ............................... 18
Reclining Seatback
................................ 15
Second Seat, Folding .............................. 18
Third Seat, Folding
............................... 20
Service Engine Soon Light ........................... 111
Service Information ................................. 221
Service
parts Identification Label ..................... 265
Service Publications
............................... 303
Service Publications Order Form
..................... 305
Setting the Clock .......................... .118, 121, 124
Setting
the Trip Odometer ........................... 1%
Shifting Into “P” (Park) ............................. 81
Shifling the Transaxle
............................... 77
Signaling
Turns ............................... .87, 141
Signs, Road
...................................... 134
SIR (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint) .................. 35
Skidding
........................................ 154
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