brakes BUICK CENTURY 1993 Owner's Manual

Brake Master Cylinder
I
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that
the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back
up.
The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake
system.
If it is, you should have your brake system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t
work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add (01
remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is
hot enough. Mu or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid-such as Delco Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No.
1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well’
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
‘parts in them, as your Buick does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system-for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to have
new ones put in-be sure you get new genuine
GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change, for the worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect
I
can change in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have
to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom*
battery. Get one
that has the catalog number shown on
the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not ‘going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more,
take off the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down.
A CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
Ybu can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the ldex for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
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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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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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Towing a Trailer .................................. 175
Towing Your Buick
................................ 189
Traf%lc Lights ...................................... 140
Trailer Towing .................................... 175
Driving with a Trailer ........... i ............... -179
Maintenance. ................................... 181
Parking on Hills ......................... .. ....... 180
Trailer Brakes .................................. 178
Turn Signals .................................... 179
Transaxle, Automatic (see “Automatic Transaxle”)
Transmission, Automatic (see ‘Automatic Transaxle”)
Trip Odometer.
................................... 106
Trunk Lock
....................................... 69
Remote Release Button ............................ 69
Turn Signal Indicator ............................... 87
Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever ..................... 86
Cruise Control ................................... 91
Headlight High/Low Beam ......................... 88
Turn & Lane Change Signals ....................... 87
Turn Signal Indicator ............................... 87
Windshield Wipers .............................. -88
windshield Washer ................................. 89
Turn Signal Reminder ............................... 87
underbody Maintenance .......................... 263
Unleaded Gasoline ................................ 223
Upholstery Care .................................. 258
Urban Driving .................................. 1 . 162
Vehicle Identification Number.(VIN) ................. 265
Vehicle hading .................................. 249
Vehicle Storage .................................... 244
Vent Windows, Flip-Open ............................ 85
Ventilation .................................... U. 116
VIN ......................................... : ... 269
Visor Vanity Mirror. ............................... 100
Volts Gage ....................................... 109
warning Flashers. Hazard ......................... 184
Warning Lights .................................. -106
AirBag ........................................ 36
Battery ......................................... 108
Brake ......................................... 109
Coolant Temperature
............................. 110
Oil ........................................... 107
Safety Belt Reminder Light ......................... 29
Service Engine Soon .............................. 111
TailgateAjar .................................... 111
Washer, Windshield .................................. 89
WasherNiper, Rear Window ......................... 90
Weight
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
................... 250
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ............... 250
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................... 256
Wheel Covers, How to Remove ....................... 210
WheelNuts ...................................... 209
Wheel Nut Torque ................................. 215
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