fuel BUICK CENTURY 1994 User Guide

Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, slide the upper lever
to VENT. Air
flow is through the instrument panel outlets. Rotate the
control next to the outlets to turn on, adjust or
turn off
the air flow. Adjust the lower lever
on the control panel
to the temperature desired.
Heating
When outside temperatures are cold, sliding the upper
lever
to HEATER and the lower lever to HOT will send
heated air through the heater ducts, and some through
the defroster vents. VENT and HEATER are labeled
ECONOMY positions because the air conditioner
compressor doesn't run in these two settings. This
reduces engine load, resulting in improved fuel
economy. If either setting fails to keep you comfortable,
or causes your windows
to fog up, slide the upper lever
to one of the Air Conditioning positions, or to DEF
(Defrost).
Defrosting
The DEF setting directs most of the air through the
defroster vents, and some through the heater ducts.
Defog
To quickly defog the windshield, set the upper lever to
DEF and move the fan switch to HI . Slide the lower
lever to
HOT.
In damp, cool weather (temperatures about 45 "-65"F,
7"- 1 8"C), you can use BI-LEV to defog the side
windows. Set the upper lever to BI-LEV and the fan
switch to
HI. Aim the side vents toward the side
windows. For increased air flow to the side vents, close
the center vents.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear
window. In winter, it can
also keep ice from forming
on the rear window.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
0 Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel. Engine Oil. Other Fluids: Have you checked all
levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
0 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?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along
your route? Should you delay your trip a short time
to avoid
a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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.
What can you
do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
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bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing
to keep warm.
You
can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
Run your engine only as long as
you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.
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Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Towing a Trailer
1 NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this section, and see your Buick
dealer
for important information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
Your car can tow a trailer if it is equipped with either the
2.2L L4 engine or the 3 100 SF1 V6 engine and proper
trailer towing equipment.
To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity
is for your vehicle, you should read
the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has
to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In
it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that
of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before
you pull a trailer.
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.
@) 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 ........................................................................\
..
Fuel ........................................................................\
.....
HoodRelease .....................................................................
EngineOil ....................................................................... \
Aircleaner ....................................................................... \
TransaxleFluid ....................................................................
Enginecoolant ....................................................................
Powersteering ....................................................................
Windshield Washer Fluid ............................................................
Brakes ........................................................................\
...
Battery ........................................................................\
..
BulbReplacement .................................................................
LoadingYourVehicle ...............................................................
Tires ........................................................................\
....
Appearancecare ..................................................................
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ..................................................
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ...........................................................
ReplacementBulbs .................................................................
Capacities and Specifications .........................................................
208
209
212
213 218
220
223
226
227
228
231
232
236 238
245
253
254 258
259
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Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM
D4814 in
the U.S. and CGSB
3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you should not have
to add anything
to the fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind
of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
“UNLEADED’ right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure
the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if
you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that
contain oxygen (oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol? MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl
ether.’’ Fuel that
is no
more than 15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is
no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’t use it. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And even at
5%
or less, there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers in this fuel to help avoid
these problems.
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will
help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working properly. It’s
good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for
cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates.
General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with
these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide
levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain deposit control additives and
oxygenates, and if
they have been reformulated to
reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write
us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle.
It is located on the
lower left side of the
instrument panel.
Then go
to the front of the
vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
Lift the hood.
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Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just pull the
hood down and close it
firmly. The 3100 V6 engine oil dipstick is located near the front
and center
of the engine compartment.
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD Sw“nwl’l li, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EX. _____ TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER 7
”F
t 100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
f
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 .,. GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
WEATHER
As shown in the 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 it.+ viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity
oils, such as SAE low-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst”symbo1
on the front of the-container, you should look for and
use oils containing the following three things:
SHor SG
“SH or SG” must be on the oil container, either by
itself
or combined with other quality designations,
such as
“SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc.
These letters show American Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you
save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
a doughnut
shaped logo (symbol) on most containers. If you cannot
find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you should look
for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing
the three things noted above.
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