BUICK CENTURY 1996 Owners Manual

The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
Some steps apply to all models, others to just the
sedan or wagon models. Follow the steps listed for
your vehicle.
The tools
you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheel
wrench
(B).
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Sedan
The equipment you’ll need is stored in the trunk.
1. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk.
2. Turn the center retainer bolt on the compact spare
tire housing counterclockwise to remove it, then lift
the tire cover.
3. Lift off the jack and remove the spare tire.
4. Remove the wheel wrench from the bag.
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Wagon
The equipment you’ll need is stored in the rear of
your vehicle.
1. Fold down the third seat, if so equipped. Then
remove the housing that covers the spare tire
by
carefully pushing in on the top edge of the cover and
pulling it away from the vehicle. Then lift up.
2. Remove the wing nut from the center of the spare
3. Remove the spare tire.
tire
and remove the adapter.
4. Turn the two wing nuts counterclockwise and
remove the
jack retainer plate. Then pull out the jack
and wheel wrench.
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Standard Wheel Cover Wire Wheel Cover
You
will be using the flat end of the wheel wrench to
remove the wheel cover. Pry along the edge
of the wheel
cover until it comes
off.
Removing the wire wheel cover requires this wire wheel
key wrench.
A. Put the flat end into the notch and carefully pry the
small center cover off.
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B. Remove the theft deterrent wheel nut by placing
the key end of the wire wheel wrench over the
nut and turning it to the left. Pull off the wire
wheel cover.
C. Next, attach the wheel wrench to the bolt on the end
of the jack. Raise the jack a little by rotating the
wheel wrench clockwise
(to the right).
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don't remove them yet.
2. Position the jack under the vehicle nearest the
tire to be changed. The jack location should be
approximately
5 inches (12.7 cm) from the
wheel well.
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r
Gettir under a vehicle w1 I it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured
or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
NOTICE:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow
the vehicle to fall
off the jack. Be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising your vehicle.
Sedan
3. Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the
ground for the spare tire to fit.
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Wagon
4. Then remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after
a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or
a paper towel
to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get
all the rust or
dirt off.
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Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface.
6. Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel
is held against the hub.
7. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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8. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in
a criss-cross
sequence
as shown.
L" CAUTION:
I-
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened
with a torque wrench to
100 lb-ft (140 Nom).
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I NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don’t try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover in
the trunk or, if
you have the wagon, in the rear cargo area, until you
have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
I NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare,
you could damage the cover or the spare.
A CAUTIGN:
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
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