steering BUICK CENTURY 1996 Workshop Manual

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed
at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should
let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure an.y necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a Buick Service Manual. See “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front- Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well
as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a
heat
build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts
as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
7-40
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine,
see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
~~
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL
TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming to GM
Specification 6277M.
See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake System
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
Delco Supreme 11
@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 1052535 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
1050017
- 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
(GM
Part
NO. 1052884 - 1 Pt.,
7-41
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1996 BUCK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1996 BUCK
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1996 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owner’s and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for
all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$10.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
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Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-47
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-14
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6- 14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-5 1
Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 19
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-34
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn and Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement
...... 6-34
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-59
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-59
GAWR
....................................... 4-28
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 16
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-28
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-28
Guide en Franpis
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-28 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps .................................... 2-33
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-33
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-28
Onwarning
................................. 2-34
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-2
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-28
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn
......................................... 2-26
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2. 1 0
Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-39
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-37
Inspections
.................................... 7-41
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
9-4
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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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Short TripKity Definition ................... 7.5, 7.7
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7.5. 7.7
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-54
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1 - 1
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-37
MapLamp
.................................... 2-36
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-37
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-37
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-37
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-38
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-43
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-27
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2- 17
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- 10
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-48
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-48
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 17
Overheating Engine ............................. 5 - 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-16
Shifting Into ................................. 2-20
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-23
AtNight
..................................... 2-9
Brake
...................................... 2-19
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
........................................ 2-9
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-23
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passing
....................................... 4-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-41
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-38
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Seatback Recliner
.............................. 1-2
Steering
..................................... 4-8
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-25
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-25
Problems on
the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-9
Parking
Radiator
..................................... 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-25
Radio Reception
................................. 3-8
Radios ........................................ 3-5
Rain. Driving In ................................ 4-16
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-35. 2.36
9-6
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Seats Folding Rear
.................................. 1-4
Folding Second Seat
............................ 1-4
Folding Third Seat
............................. 1-5
ManualFront ................................. 1-1
Power ....................................... 1-2
Restraint Systems
.............................. I - 1
Seat Controls ................................. 1 . 1
Securing a Child Restraint ...................... 1-33
Second Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................. 2- 18
Service
........................................ 6-1
Bulletins. Ordering
............................. 8-9
EngineSoonLight ............................ 2-54
Manuals. Ordering
............................. 8-9
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-55
Publications. Ordering
.......................... 8-9
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6- 1
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6- 1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick ............ 1-25
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-52
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-16
Shifting
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2- 16
IntoPark
.................................... 2-20
OutofPark
.................................. 2-23
Shock Absorbers. Superlift
....................... 6-2 1
SignalingTurns ................................ 2-27
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Spare Tire. Compact
............................. 5-37
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-6 1
Sound Equipment. Adding ......................... 3-9 Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-63
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-3
Speedometer
................................... 2-48
SRS
......................................... 1-21
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-48
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-39
Starting Your Engine
....................... 2- 12. 2- 13
Steam
........................................ 5-13
Steering
....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-40
In Emergencies ............................... 4-10
Power
....................................... 4-8
Tips
......................................... 4-9
Wheel.
Tilt .................................. 2-26
Storage Areas
.................................. 2-38
Storage Compartment. Rear
....................... 2-39
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-32
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-38
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-43
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-21
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. x
System Controls. Climate Control System ............. 3-1
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-36
TapePlayerCare
................................ 3-9
Theft
.......................................... 2-9
Thermostat
.................................... 6-25
Third Gear Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-18
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-26
Time. Setting the
................................ 3-4
Tire-Loading Information
Label ................... 4-28
9-8
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