tow BUICK CENTURY 1996 Workshop Manual

I - mg Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 ’ 2)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for what
to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. 3-
Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
An Erni,wion Control Service.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
IJ‘yocr do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Roadside Assista- -- Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network
of 3,000 Buick
dealers. Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides
an extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance:
- Provides owners with access to minor repairs or
- Takes the anxiety out of uncertain situations by
towing for disabled vehicles.
providing easy access to service professionals trained
to work
with Buick owners, 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, including weekends and holidays.
For details on Buick Premium Roadside Assistance,
please consult your Buick Premium Roadside Assistance
owner booklet included
with your owner’s manual. For
needed assistance, call the Buick Premium Roadside
Assistance toll-free hotline: 1-800-252- 11
12.
Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under the 36 month/36,000 mile
(60 000 km) new car
warranty (whichever occurs first).
Canac Road e As! tance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
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Courtesy Transportation
To Buick Motor Division, Quality Means Service -- and
service means “keeping you on the road.”
Included with your 1996 Buick new car warranty
(36 month/36,000 miles
(60 000 km), whichever occurs
first), is Courtesy Transportation, a program which will
provide Buick retail customers with:
Reimbursement toward a loaner vehicle, courtesy of
Buick Motor Division, for up to five days for
vehicles requiring overnight warranty repairs. Also,
reimbursement up to $30 a day (five days maximum)
may be available for the cost of a rental car, bus or
even a cab.
A free one-way shuttle ride up to
10 miles from the
dealership is available for customers whose vehicles
require same-day warranty repairs. Courtesy
Transportation is Buick’s way
of extending the
Premium Service you’ve come to expect from Buick
and its
3,000 dealers. Please review the Courtesy
Transportation glove box card contained in your vehicle,
or consult your Buick dealer for details.
Some state insurance regulations make
it impractical to
rent vehicles to people under
21 years of age. If you are
under 21 and have difficulty renting a vehicle, Buick
will reimburse you up
to $30/day, for any documented
transportation you receive. Please consult your dealer
for details.
For warranty repairs during the Complete Vehicle
Coverage period in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
interim transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult your
dealer for details. The Courtesy Transportation program
is available only in the United States and Canada.
8-5
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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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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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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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Rear Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-28
Seat Passengers
.............................. 1-28
Storage Compartment
......................... 2-39
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Window Defogger
............................. 3-3
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-37
Inside Daymight ............................. 2-37
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-2
Recovery Tank. Coolant
.......................... 5- 16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-64
Remote
Keyless Entry
................................. 2-4
Trunk Release
................................. 2-7
Replacement
Bulbs
...................................... 6-60
Parts
....................................... 6-64
Wheel
...................................... 6-44
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-7
Restraints Child
....................................... 1-33
Checking
................................... 1-46
Head
........................................ 1-4
Replacing Parts
After a Crash ................... 1-46
Systemcheck
................................ 7-38
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2- 17
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-4
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-4
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-39
Rotation, Tires
................................. 6-40 Safety
Belts
................................... 1-8
Automatic Ldp-Shoulder
....................... 1-14
Care
....................................... 6-49
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-27
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position ............................... 1-13
Extender .................................... 1-46
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1-13
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 17, 1-44, 1-45
LapBelt .................................... 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-43
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-28
Replacing After
a Crash ........................ 1-46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
Station Wagon Third Seat Passenger Position
....... 1-27
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-25
Warning Light
........................... 1-8, 2-49
WhyTheyWork ............................... 1-9
Safety Chains .................................. 4-33
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-7
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... viii
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-3
Seatback Power Recliner
................................ 1-2
Reclining Front
............................... 1-2
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Lap-Shoulder
................................ 1-29
9-7
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Tires ......................................... 6-38
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-43
BuyingNew
................................. 6-41
Chains
..................................... 6- 45
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-24
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Compact Spare
............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-39
Inflation Check
............................... 7-37
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-40
Loading
.................................... 4-28
Pressure
.................................... 6-39
Temperature
................................. 6-43
Traction
.................................... 6-43
Treadwear
................................... 6-43
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-42
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-4 1
Wheel Replacement ........................... 6-44
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-41
TopStrap
..................................... 1-33
TorqueLock
................................... 2-22
Torque. Wheel
Nut .............................. 5-33
Torque. Wheel Nut
.............................. 6-62
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-30
Traction
...................................... 6-43
Towing
Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7 Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-33
Drivingwith
................................. 4-34
Hitches
..................................... 4-33
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-36
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-36
Safety Chains
................................ 4-33
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
Towing
..................................... 4-30
Turnsignals
................................. 4-35
Weight
..................................... 4-31
Automatic
................................... 6-17
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-4
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-5
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-48
Trunk
Lock
........................................ 2-7
Release, Remote
............................... 2-7
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal
and Lane Change Indicator ............. 2-27
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-28
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-27
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-35
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-32
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-35
9-9
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Underbody Flushing Service ..................... 7-40
Underbody Maintenance ......................... 6-53
Vehicle
Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings .............................. ix
Dimensions
................................. 6-63
First Sold in Canada ........................... 1 - 13
Identification Number ......................... 6-55
Loading .................................... 4-28
Storage ..................................... 6-32
Ventilation System ............................... 3-3
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-43
Visors. Sun .................................... 2-43
warning Devices ............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-48
Washer Fluid. Windshield ........................ 6-27
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-50
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-50
Wheel
Alignment
.................................. 6-43
Nut Torque ............................. 5.33. 6.62
Replacement ................................. 6-44
Windows ..................................... 2-25
Power ...................................... 2-25
Wagon Rear Vent .............................. 2-26
Windshield Washer ............................. 2-29
Fluid .................................. 2-29. 6.27
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-37
Rearwindow ................................ 2-30
Windshield Wiper .............................. 2-28
Blade Replacement ........................... 6-37
Winter Driving ................................. 4-24
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-56
WreckerTowing ................................. 5-7
Fuses ...................................... 6-56
9-10
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