parking brake BUICK CENTURY 1993 User Guide

If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill, turn the
wheels to the right.
If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill on the left
side of
a one-way street, your wheels should be turned to
the left.
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
“P” mk) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put
too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of “I”’ (Park). This is called “torque lock:’ To
prevent torque lock, always be sure to shift into “P”
(Park) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find
out how, see “Shifting Into ‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
When you are ready
to drive, move the shift lever out of
“P” (Park) BEFORE you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of “P” (Park).
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Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down,
you might have to use your brakes
so much that they
would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed
to around
45 mph (70 Mh) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transaxle overheating.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than 1,OOO
pounds (450 kg) and you have an automatic transaxle
with Overdrive, you may prefer
to drive in “D” instead
of Overdrive.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig
could
start to move. People can be injured, and both your
vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how
to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P”
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. (Park) yet.
3. When the wheel chocks
are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then, apply your parking
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
brake, and then shift to
“P” (Park).
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
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‘
A CAUTION:
Mu could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set
the parking brake firmly
on each vehicle. Put
an automatic transaxle
in “P” (Park) or a
manual transaxle
in “N” (Neutral). I
3. ”urn off the igni;,,n on both vehicles. lwLLL all .,hts
that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid sparla
and help save both batteries. And it could save your radio!
If you leave your radio OI,, it could be badl,
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
I 1
A CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine
is not running and can Injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools
away from any
underhood electric fan.
I
Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
-
/1 CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been blinded.
Use a
flashlight If you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. Mu
don’t need to add water to the Delco
Freedom@ battery installed
in every new GM
vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure
the
right amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that first. It you don’t,
explosive gas could be present.
Battery
fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you. Ifyou accidentally get it in
your
eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
-
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
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when your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key Front Towing Hook-Ups
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight-
ahead position, with a clamping device designed for
towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s steering column
lock for
this. The transaxle should be in Neutral and the
parking brake released.
I
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels, unless
you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the front
wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph (56 km/h) or farther
than
50 miles (80 km) or your transaxle will be damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the front wheels
have
to be supported on a dolly.
1
I
&!, CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if It Isn’t
properly secured.
This can cause a colllsion,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage.
The vehicle should be tightly secured with Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the
chains or steel cables before it is transported. information in “Towing Your Buick” earlier in this part.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps, I
1. Attach T-hook chains behind the front wheels into the
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp bottom of the floor pan on both sides.
edges underneath the towed vehicle. I
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8. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure
the
arrows on the pressure
cap line up like this.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout:’ here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat; the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage ~y
driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in “P” (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
CAUTION (Continued)
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Automatic ‘mansaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change your
fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have
this done at a Buick dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick. Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200” F (82” C to
93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50” F (lO°C), you may have to
drive longer.
To check the fluid level:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 Place the shift lever in “P” (Park) with the parking
brake applied.
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the. shift lever
through each gear range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in
“P” (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule II.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Section
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change-Always use
SG Energy Conserving 11 oils of proper viscosity.
The “SG” designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as ‘‘SG/CC:’
“SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC:’ etc.
To determine the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE
5W-30 or SAE
10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
2 Chassis Lubrication-Lubricate the transaxle
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides,
underbody contact points and linkage. If your
vehicle is equipped with grease fittings, lubricate
the suspension and steering linkage. these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification” in the Index.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
3 Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque (3300 V6
Code N Engine Only)*-Check the,torque of
the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
4 Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection-For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your
tires following the instructions
in this manual.
See “Tires, Inspection & Rotation” in the Index.
Check the tires for uneven wear or damage. If
you see irregular or premature wear, check the
wheel alignment. Check for damaged wheels also.’
*An Emission Control Service.
~2 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the.emission warranty
or limit recall liability prior
to the completion of vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section E: Maintenance Record.”
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At Least Once a Year
CHECK
OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
I
Key Lock Cylinders I Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Section D.
Body Lubrication Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges and \
latches, including those for the
hood, glove box door and console door. Section
D tells you what to use. I
Starter Switch
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly\
. If it does,
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” \
in the Index if necessary) and
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if
it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work onl\
y in “P” (Park) or “N”
the regular brake.
(Neutral). If the starter works in any other position, your \
vehicle needs service.
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CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Steering Column While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the key to “LOCK’ in each shift
Lock lever position.
The key should turn to “LOCK’ only when the shift lever is in “P” (Park).
The key should come out only in “LOCK.”
Parking Brake and
Automatic Transaxle
“P” (Park) Mechanism
Check
Underbody Flushing
/t! CAUTION:
When you are doing this chick, your vehicle could begin to mow. Mu or
others could be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of your vehicle In case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
-gular
bWe at wce ahauld +he vehicle hmnin +* m-
Park on a 1 ply steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your foot\
on the
regular brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running and transaxle in “N” (Neutral),
---
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held
by the parking brake only.
all brakes.
To check the “P” (Park) mechanism’s holding ability: Shift to “P” (Park). Then release
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from
the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can \
collect.
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~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~ INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for \
proper hookup, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear \
and rotors for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect o\
ther brake parts, including
drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking bra\
ke adjustment. You
may need to have your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or conditions
result
in frequent braking.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which may need to be
serviced.
Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be
wrong with the brake system. See “Brake System Warning Light\
” in the Index.
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