light BUICK CENTURY 1996 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BUICK, Model Year: 1996, Model line: CENTURY, Model: BUICK CENTURY 1996Pages: 340, PDF Size: 17.61 MB
Page 248 of 340

/I CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use
on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold
in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or
to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect
to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
6-42
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Page 253 of 340

If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Usin - lam-npe Cleanel- -In
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
hcuum and brush the area to remove any loose
dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following
the directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with
a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper
towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If
you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper.
Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section
of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
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Page 254 of 340

Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
3. Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on a vehicle’s seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit
juice, milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water and allow to dry.
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a
GM Vinylkeather Cleaner or equivalent product.
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Page 265 of 340

Fuse Circuitry
STOP HA2 Stoplamps, Hazard Flashers
CTSY Interior, Underhood, Courtesy,
UP, Trunk Lamps, Door Locks,
Horn Relay, Passive Restraint
System, Deck Lid Release,
Power Antenna Remote Keyless
Entry, Vanity Mirror
WDO* Power Windows
INST LPS Illumination for:
I/P, Radio, Pod
Lamps, Ashtray, Console Lamp,
Heater and A/C Control, Defog
Switch, Headlamp Switch,
Power Antenna
Fuse Circuitry
RADIO Radio
PWR ACC* Seats, Door Locks, Rear Defog,
Power Seat Recliner, Rear
Window Wiper, Trunk Release
WPR
CIG LTR Windshield
Wiperwasher
Cigarette Lighter
*Circuit Breaker
6-59
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Page 266 of 340

Replacement Bulbs
'OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB INSIDE LAMPS BULB
'.Back-up
Lamps . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 1156
Front ParkingEurn Signal Lamps
. . . . . . . . 2357NA Courtesy' Lamps
194 Dome Lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
,License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Headlamps Glove
Box Lamp . . . . .<. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
' Sidemarker Lamps (Front) . . . . , , . . . . . . . 194NA Heater and A/C Control . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1 .o
Ashtray ................................. 194
.. I I.
Lamps (Rear) . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Stop/TaiVTurn Signai Lamps
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2397
Underhood Lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 089
Taillamps (between stop and back-up lamps) . . . 194
High-Beam Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . 194
High-Level Stoplamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . 1156
Indicator Lights Rear Window Defogger Switch
. . . . . . . . . . . 2102
Lighted Rearview Mirrors
, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212-2
Cluster (Illumination)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Turn Signal Indicators . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
6-60
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Page 307 of 340

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt warning light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for
any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all
hinges and latches, including those for the hood,
rear compartment, glove box door, and any folding
seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to use. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to
a corrosive environment.
7-37
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Page 329 of 340

Section 9 Index
Air Bag ...................................... I -2 1
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-23
How it Works ................................ 1-22
Location
.................................... 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1-21? 2-49
Servicing
................................... 1-25
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 2-23
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-14
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-64
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-5 I
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-10
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-22
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2-53. 4.8
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-5 1. 4.6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Appearancecare
............................... 6-46
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-54
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-6
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-39
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-42 Audio
Equipment. Adding
......................... 3-9
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-4
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-17
Automatic Transaxle Check
....................... 7-38
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-17
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-16
Shifting
..................................... 2-16
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-40
Battery
...................................... 6.3 2
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Warning Light
............................... 2-50
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-6
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
Brake Replacement.
Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-6
Adjustment
.................................. 6-31
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-19
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-50
9-1
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Trailer ...................................... 4-33
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-23
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 4-8
Break.In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 10
BTSI
......................................... 2-23
BTSICheck
................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-4
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-6 1
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2.24.4.27. 4.33
Cargo Security Cover
............................ 2-40
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
............................. 3-6
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 3-9
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-27
Certification Label
.............................. 4-28
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-33
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-45
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-46
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in the Center Seat Position
.............. 1-36
Changing a
Flat Tire
.. t. .......................... 5-24
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in
the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-38
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
WheretoPut
................................ 1-33 Cigarette
Lighter
............................... 2-42
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning
...................................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-51
Fabric
...................................... 6-47
Glass
....................................... 6-49
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-46
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-49
Leather
..................................... 6-49
Outside
of Your Buick ......................... 6-50
Special Problems
............................. 6-48
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl ....................................... 6-48
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-50
Climate Control System ........................... 3-1
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-4
Coinholder
.................................... 2-39
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-37
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-40
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-38
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-21
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-14
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-16
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-35
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
Cover. Cargo Security ........................... 2-40
Cooling System
................................ 5-15
9-2
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Cruise Control .................................. 2-30
Cupholders
.................................... 2-39
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- 1
Damage. Finish ............................... 6-52
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-52
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-34
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-7
Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-3
Defogging
..................................... 3-2
Defrosting
..................................... 3-2
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Door
Drive Position. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 18
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 13
Driving
City
....................................... 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-35
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone Users
......... 8-3
Locks
....................................... 2-3 OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-25
Wet Roads
.................................. 4-16
Winter ...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Electrical Equipment. Adding
................ 3-9. 6-56
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine 6-8. 6-9
Engine
Coolant
..................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-14
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Exhaust
..................................... 2-24
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Running While Parked ......................... 2-24
Specifications
................................ 6-63
Starting Your
........................... 2- 12. 2-13
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking
................................... 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Engine
Oil Pressure Light ........................ 2-57
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Through Deep Standing
Water
................... 4-18
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 2-53
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-24
9-3
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Instrument Panel ............................... 2-44
Brightness Control
............................ 2-34
Cleaning
.................................... 6-49
Cluster
..................................... 2-46
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-34
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-25
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels
....................................... 4-28
Certification
................................. 4-28
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-33
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Interior Lamp Delay
........................... 2-35
Onwarning
................................. 2-34
Underhood
.................................. 6-10
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Liftgate Ajar Light .............................. 2-58
LiftgateLock
................................... 2-8
Lighter
....................................... 2-42
Lights Courtesy
.................................... 2-35
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-22
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-2 1 . 2-49
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-53. 4.8
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ............ 2-5 1. 4-6
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 2-53
Battery Warning .............................. 2-50
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-50
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-57
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Liftgate Ajar
................................. 2-58
Safety Belt Warning
............................ 1-8
Safety Belt Warning ........................... 2-49
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-54
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Automatic Door
............................... 2-4
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Door
........................................ 2-3
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Liftgate
...................................... 2-8
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-40
Trunk
....................................... 2-7
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-38
Luggage Carrier
................................ 2-42
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-64
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-44
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Trip/Highway Definition
.............. 7-6. 7-27
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
................ 7-6. 7-27
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-42
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
. 9-5
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