fuel BUICK CENTURY 1993 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BUICK, Model Year: 1993, Model line: CENTURY, Model: BUICK CENTURY 1993Pages: 324, PDF Size: 17.58 MB
Page 223 of 324

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Part 6 Service and Appearance Care
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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
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Fuel
Use redar unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or What about gasoline with blending materials that contain
oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
higher.-It should meet-specifications ASTM
D4814 in the mE is 66methyl kfliq+.bu@l Fuel that is no
U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should more than 15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
have the proper additives, so you should not have to add
an-g
to the fuel. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that
is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and .you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when you’re
accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal, and you
don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means you
have a problem.
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Page 226 of 324

Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits
from forming in your engine and fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines
are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use gasolines
with these blending materials, such as MTBE
and ethanol.
By doing so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country that have high
carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
F’uels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S.
or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at
all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that
means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact
a major oil company that does business in the country
where
you’ll be driving.
You
can also write us at the following address for advice.
Just tell us where you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) .
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
P. 0. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
I
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Page 227 of 324

Filling Your Tank
1
A CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very
bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or
refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames,
and smoking materials away from gasoline.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your
vehicle.
To take
off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
If you get gasoline on you and then something
ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline
can spray out on you if you open the fuel filler
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot
weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap
all the way.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear a clicking
noise.
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/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.
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Page 232 of 324

i
I ':
I 1
ISCOS E ENGINE OILS I '"'
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
LOOK
LABEL
HOT FOR THIS WEATHER (
SAL 10W-3-
PREFERREl
AE 5W-30
COLD IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED WEATHER GRADE MAY BE USE0 AT TEMPERATURES
00 NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
If you have the 3300 V6 engine use:
SAE 1OW-30
As shown in this chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going
to
be colder than 60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it's very cold, below 0°F (-18" C), you
should use
SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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Page 233 of 324

2.2L L4 Engine
LOOK
IR THI
LABEL
SAE 1OW-30
AE 5W-31 REFERREI
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USE0 AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
00 NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 Ofl ANY nTHFR CRAllF nll Nil1 RFfnMMFNnl
If you have the 2.2L LA engine use:
SAE 5W-30
As shown in this chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE
low-40 or SAE 20W-50.
Energy Conserving II
Oils with these words on the container will help you save
fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil
containers to help you select the correct oil.
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
only those oils that display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ Oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets
all the requirements fix your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add anything to your oil.
Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you
think
something should be added.
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MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR
RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI- CABLE U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION
STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
I MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE. Qw&$;+#;
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge
of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the GVWR for
your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out.
In the trunk or rear area don’t carry more than 160
pounds (72 kg) for the coupeshedans; 300 pounds (136 kg) for the six-passenger wagon.
If you have the eight-
passenger wagon, no additional cargo
can be carried if
you already have eight people in the vehicle.
A CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWRs.
If you do, parts on your vehicle can brerak, or It
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of your
vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle-like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else-they willgo as hst
as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if
there is a crash, they’ll keep
going.
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Page 265 of 324

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 for
these stains.
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 fdlout. Airborne pollutants can
f$ll 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
surhce.
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,OOO miles (20 OOO km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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Page 269 of 324

Fuse Usage
I
I
Fuse Rating
(AMPS)
A
B
C
D E
15
20
10
10
15
ECM; MAF Sensor (3300 Engine only)
ECM Injectors/Coil
Eng. A/C Relay; EGR Solenoid; Canister Purge Solenoid
Fan/Elect; Generator; DRL Module
Turn Signal Flasher; Back-up Lights;
TruWLiftgate Release
Fuse
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Rating
(AMPS)
10
20
20
10
20
20
30"
5
Circuitry N
0
P
Q
10
30"
25
20
15
15
15
Circuitry
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bagj
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 Switch;
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,
Defog Switch, Headlight Switch
Radio, Cruise Control
Seats, Door
Locks, Rear Defog
Windshield Wipe/Wash
Cigarette Lighter
Safety Belt/Chirne (ICAM) Module (Located
behind the fuse block, above the hush panel.)
Remote Lock Control (Located behind the fuse
block, above the hush panel.) Fuel Pump, ECM (Located under the hood.)
*Circuit Breaker
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