service schedule BUICK CENTURY 1993 Owners Manual

Table of Contents
Introduction How to Use this Manual ....................................................... .10
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings\
and symbols.
Part 1 Seats and Safety Belts .......................................................... I3
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.
Part 2 Features & Controls .......................................................... .63
Part 3 Comfort Controls & Audio Systems. ............................................. W!
Part 4 Your Driving and the Road. .......................... : ........................ .I33
Part 5 Problems on the Road. ....................................................... .l83
Part 6 Service & Appearance Care .................................................... .221
Part7MaintenanceSchedule ...........................................................
Part 8 Customer .Assistance Information .............................................. .299
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how
to operate your sound system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and \
how to drive under different conditions.
This part tells you what to
do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
This part tells you when
to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This part tells
you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives you information
on “Reporting Safety Defects on page 302.”
hrt9Index ......................................................~...............30\
7
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want
to read.
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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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Air Cleaner
.-
If you have the 3300 V6 engine, your air cleaner is on the
driver’s side
of the engine compartment. To check or
replace the filter, release the latches and pull the air
cleaner open. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
I
Remove and replace the filter, then close the cover and
latches.
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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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Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended
in the Maintenance
Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressure as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that -all wheel
nuts are
properly tightend. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” in the
Index.
1
I A CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which
It Is fastened, can make the’wheel nuts
become loose after a Qlme. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the
vehlcle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to us8
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get
all the rust or dirt off. (See “Changing a
Flat Tlre” in the Index.)
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I
I
Part 7 Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
'LEVEL AND CHANGE
AS
RECOMMENDED
This part covers the maintenance
required for your Buick. Your vehicle
needs these services to retain
its safety,
dependability and emission control
performance.
Have you purchased the
GM Protection Plan?
The Plan supplements your
new vehicle warranties.
See your Buick dealer
for details.
part 7 includes:
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance ...................... .276
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................. ,276
How This Part is Organized ...................... .276
A.. Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules ................ .278
Selecting the Right Schedule ...................... ,279
Schedule1 ..................................... 280
Schedule I1 ................................... .282
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services .... -284
At Each Fuel Fill .............................. .287
B. Owner Checks and Services
At Least Once a Month ......................... .287
At Least Once a Year ........................... .288
C. Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ .290
D. Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............ .292
E. Maintenance Record. .......................... .295
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Introduction
A Word,About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly
how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive long
distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You
may use. your vehicle
in making deliveries. Or you may
drive it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you will
find
in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to have
their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be relied
upon to use proper parts and practices.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but
also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal
of important components can significantly affect
the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or
even the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to help keep your vehicle in
good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
How This Part is Organized
The remainder of this part is divided into five sections:
“Section
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some
of these services
can
be complex, so unless you are technically qualified
and have the necessary equipment, you should let your
dealer’s service department or another qualified service
center do these
jobs.
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Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules These schedules are for vehicles that:
This section tells you the maintenance services
you carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits.
should have done and when you should schedule them. You will
find these limits on your vehicle’s Tire-
Your Buick dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you Loading Informatio\
n label. See “Loading Your
to be happy with it. If you go to your dealer for your Vehicle’’ in the Index.
service
needs, you’ll know that GM-trained and ~
supported service people will perform the work using
genuine
GM parts.
are driven on reasonable road surfhces within legal
use the recommended unleaded fuel. See “Fuel” in the
driving limits.
Index.
278
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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
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The services shown in this schedule up to 48,OOO miles (SO 000 km) are to be
performed after 48,000 miles at the same intervals.
MILES (000)
3 16 19 I12 115 I18 121 124 I27 130 133 136 139 142 145 148 ~
KILOMETERS (000)
I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I 0
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