engine oil BUICK CENTURY 1993 Owners Manual

I
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD CAUSE
BATTERY
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for. you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
4
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e3
TURN
WARNING
A
HAZARD
FLASHER
HIGH BEAM
OR =, =o
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD ' ' ' 0- 0-
WIPER &
WASHER
t0 @e4 i
WINDSHIELD=
WASHER I
wlNDsHIELDw DEFROSTER
WINDOW
@
REAR
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
HEADLAMP
-
WIPER -
WASHER zQ
Thes, ,ymbols
are used on
warning and indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
ENGINE
TEMP
--
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY SYSTEM
FUEL
ENGINE OIL wb
PRESSURE
TEMP
OIL &
ANTILOCK BRAKE (i)
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
RADIO
k
VOLUME a
CONDITIONING AIR a
HATCHBACK e
TRUNK
RELEASE
SPEAKER
b
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NOTICE:
After you’ve
How long should you keep the block heater plugged in? The
answer depends on the weather, the kind of
oil you have,
and some other things. Instead of trying
to list everything
here, we ask that you contact a Buick dealer, in the area
where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic .Transaxle
There are several different
positions for your
shift
lever.
P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use\

when you
start your engine because your vehicle can’t
move easily.
I- -
I a CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is
not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set.
Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You
or others could be injured. To I
be sure your vehicle won’t move, when you’re
on fairly level
ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to “P” (Park).
See “Shifting
Into ‘P’ (Park)” in the Index. If
you are parking
on a hill, or, if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Parking
on Hills” or “Towing
a Trailer”
in the Index.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
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Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left, when the ignition is on. When the indicator nears
“E” (Empty), you still have a little fuel left, but you
should get more
soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage and are
normal operating characteristics:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads
“F” (Full).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half
full, but it actually took
a little more
or less than half the
tank‘s capacity to fill the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner, speed
up or brake.
The gage doesn’t go back to “E” when you turn off the
ignition.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your
oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving.
This
indicates that oil is not
going through your engine
quickly enough to keep it
lubricated. The engine could be low on oil, or
could have some other oil
problem. Have it fixed right
away.
The
oil light could also come on in three other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not funning,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when
you turn the
ignition to “Start? If it doesn’t come on with the
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ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the light
may blink on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment.
This is normal.
1 A CAUTIONS
Don't keep driving if the oil pmssure is low. If
you do, your engine can become QO hot that It
catches flm. "ybu or others could be burned.
Check wur oil as soon as possible end have
your t rlcle senrlced.
I
Battery Light
The battery warning light
will come on briefly when
you
turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show
you it is wcrking. Then it
should go out. If it stays on,
or comes on while you are
driving, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system. It could
indicate that you have a
or another electrical
. ., . loose generator drive belt
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to
turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out.
Of course, you’ll
find experienced and able service experts in Buick
dealerships
all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before
a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
hel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free
trip.
Is the tread good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended
pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along
your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to
avoid a major storm system?
levels?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
On the Road
Unless you
are the only driver, it is good to share the
driving task with others. Limit
turns behind the wheel to
about
100 miles (160 km) or two hours at a sitting. Then,
either change drivers or stop for some refreshment like
coffee, tea or
sol3 drinks and some limbering up. But do
stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier
meals tend
to make some people sleepy.
On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways
that do not have controlled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found on freeways.
Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping centers
with direct access to the highway, no passing zones and school zones, vehicles turning left and right
off the road,
pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and even animals.
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the .wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the
same scenery, along with the hum
of the tires on the
road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it \
happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the road
in
less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling. system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
‘will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
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2.2L L4 Cooling System
=
1
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll
see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
It!, CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
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3300 V6 Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
I A CAUTION:
An electrlc fan under the hood can start up
even when the englne Is not running and can
injure
YOU. Ksep hands, clothing and twls
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
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All Cooling Systems
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your c.ooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mix.
With plain water or the wrong mix, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn't get
the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
I
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. I
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.
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
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