oil temperature BUICK CENTURY 1993 Owners Manual

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
231
ProCarManuals.com

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.
236
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index. \
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262” F (128” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use: Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 1825-Mi’ which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement
(sealer) with any complete coolant change. If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
I
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your coollng system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Mur vehicle’s coolant
warning system
Is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong mlx, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. bur engine could catch
fire and you or others’could be burned. Use a
50/50 mPx of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
: warranty. Too much
l
and crack t
other parts
239
ProCarManuals.com

Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your vehicle is
MAINLY driven under one or more
of the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles
When most trips are less than
10 miles (16 km) and outside
temperatures remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended
idling and/or frequent low-speed
operation, as
in stop-and-go’ traffic.
(6 km).
When towing a trailer.
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if
the vehicle
is used for delivery
service, p?lice,
taxi or other
commercial applications.
* An Emission Control Service.
z2T The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
has.determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission
wamty
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.”
ITEM
NO.
TO BE SERVICED WHEN TO PERFORM
See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or Months
Services” following Schedules
I and D[. (whichever occurs first).
2 I Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change.
Tire
and Wheel Rotation and Inspection At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) and every 15,000
Miles (25 000 km) or as necessary. I
61
Cooling System Service* Every 30,000 Miles (50 O00 km) or 24
Months. I
8 I Spark
Plug Replacement* I Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km). I
EGR System Inspection** Every 30,000 miles (50 OOO km)
(2.2L LA Code 4 engine only)
12 I Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection** I Every 30,000 Miles (50 OOO km). I
280
ProCarManuals.com

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
310
ProCarManuals.com

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
316
ProCarManuals.com