engine BUICK CENTURY 1997 Owners Manual

1997 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 1997 BUICK
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
1997 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.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated
PO. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners 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: $1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
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.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover)
ProCarManuals.com

Inside of Your Buick .......................... 6-45
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-48
Leather
..................................... 6-48
Outside of Your Buick
......................... 6-50
Special Problems
............................. 6-47
Stains
...................................... 6-46
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl ....................................... 6-47
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades
.................... 6-50
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3- 12
Comfort Controls
............................ 3- 1. 3.2
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-36
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3.24. 3.30
Compact Disc Player Errors .................. 3.24. 3.30
Control. Lossof
................................ 4-13
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
Convenience
Net ............................... 2-49
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-20
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-22
RecoveryTank
............................... 5719
Coolant Heater. Engine
.......................... 2-20
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-44
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-37
Cruise Light
................................... 2-67
Compact Spare
Tire
............................. 5-37
Cupholders
.................................... 2-49
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2 Damage.
Finish
............................... 6-52
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-52
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-42
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
......................... 3-11
Defogging ............................ 3-4.3.6. 3- 10
Defrosting ............................ 3.4.3.6. 3.10
Delayed Exit Lighting ........................... 2-45
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ............. 3.18.3.21. 3.29
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-35
DoorLocks ..................................... 2-4
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
................... 2-68
Driver Position
................................. 1 . IO
Driving
City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-36
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
On Snow or Ice
.............................. 4-25
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-34
Delayed Entry Lighting
.......................... 2-44
Through Deep Standing Water
................... 4-18
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Drunken Driving ................................ 4-3 Fabric Cleaning ............................. 6-46
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7 Features and Controls ............................ 2-1
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control .................. 3-4 Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter.Air
..................................... 6-15
Electrical Equipment. Adding
..... 2.20. 2-5 1. 3-35: 6-56
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2-20. 3.35. 6-55
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-60
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-60
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-3 1
Specifications ................................ 6-63
Starting Your
................................ 2- I9
Engine011
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- I2
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-41 Filter. Engine
Oil
............................... 6-14
Filter. Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-50
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire
. Changjng ............................. 5-25
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual 11
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canadian
................................ 6-3. 6-5
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-68
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Bre.akers ....................... 6-57
Finish Damage
................................. 6-52
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-60
Fuel
....................................... 2-68
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-22
GloveBox
.................................... 2-49
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
GAWR
....................................... 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-28
Lighter
....................................... 2-50
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-20’2-56
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-59, 4-9
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-58, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-57
Change Oil Soon
............................. 2-66
Charging System
............................. 2-57
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning
...................... 2-68
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-60
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-61, 6-22
LowFuel
................................... 2-68
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2-65, 6- 10
Low Traction ................................ 2-6 1
Low Washer Fluid Warning ................ 2-37, 2-67
Oilwarning
................................. 2-64
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-5, 2-56
Security
.................................... 2-66
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-62
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-67
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Delayed Locking
.............................. 2-8
Cruise
...................................... 2-67
Locks Automatic Power Door
......................... 2-7
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-40
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Lockout Prevention Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4 PowerDoor
.................................. 2-3
Rear Door Security Locks ....................... 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
..................................... 2-32
Loss of Control
................................ 4-13
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-61, 6-22
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2-65, 6-10
Low Traction Light ............................. 2-61
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ............. 2-37, 2-67
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Lubricants
and Fluids ............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-38
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-68
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-63
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-44
How it’s Organized
............................ 7-3
Long Trip/Highway
........................... 7-27
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
and Lubricants ............................... 7-42
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Maintenance Schedule, Recommended Fluids
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Malfunction Indicator Lamp .............. ... 2-62
Manual
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Front Seat
.................................... 1-2
Outside Mirrors .............................. 2-47
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
................ 3-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-46
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview
............. 2-47
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Heated Foldaway Outside
...................... 2-48
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-46
Manual Outside
.............................. 2-47
Power Outside
............................... 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-5 I
MMT ......................................... 6-4
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-49
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-23
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- I7
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer
.................................... 2-55
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-55
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-64
Overdrive.
(a) Automatic ................... 2-24.2-25
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-10
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-22
Shifting Into
................................. 2-27
Shifting
Out of ............................... 2-29
AtNight
.................................... 2-15
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
....................................... 2-15
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-30
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
.................. 6-16
Passing
....................................... 4-12
PASS-Key
I1 ................................. 2-16
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-41
Power
Auxiliary Connection
.......................... 2-51
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Outside Mirrors
.............................. 2-48
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-46
Seat (Six-Way)
................................ 1-3
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-24
Windows
................................... 2-32
Pregnancy . Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-18
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-10
Parking
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Publications. Service and Owner. Ordering
in Canada ... 8-9
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belts. Care ............................... 6-49
Safety Chains
.................................. 4-34
Safety Defects. Reporting
......................... 8-8
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... v111
Scheduled Maintenance Services ............... : .... 7-4
Seatback Reclining Front
............................... 1-3
Seats ManualFront
................................. 1-2
Power
....................................... 1-3
Restraint Systems
.............................. 1 - 1
Seatcontrols ................................. 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint . . 1-49. 1-50. 1-5 1. 1-53. 1-54
Six-Way Power
............................... 1-3
Two-WayManual
............................. 1-2
Second Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................. 2-25
Security Light
.................................. 2-66
Security System
................................ 2- 16
Service ........................................ 6-2
Bulletins. Ordering
............................ 8- 10
Engine Soon Light
............................ 2-62
Manuals. Ordering
............................ 8- 10
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-55
Publications. Ordering
......................... 8- 10
Work. Doing Your Own ......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6- 1
Service Vehicle Soon Light ....................... 2-67
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick
............ 1-24
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-52
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-22
Shifting Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-22
...
IntoPark .................................... 2-27
Outofpark
.................................. 2-29
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
..................... 1 . 13
Signaling Turns ................................ 2-34
Six-Way Power Seat
............................. 1-3
Skidding ...................................... 4-13
Sound Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-35
Spare Tire. Compact
............................. 5-37
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-62
Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-63
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-4
Speedometer
................................... 2-55
SRS
......................................... 1-19
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-46
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-39
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-19
Steam
........................................ 5-15
Steering
....................................... 4-9
in Emergencies ............................... 4-10
Power ....................................... 4-9
Tips
......................................... 4-9
Variable Assist (Magnasteer
TM ) ................... 4-9
Wheel.
Tilt .................................. 2-33
Steering Wheel Touch Controls. Audio
.............. 3-33
Storage Armrest
................................ 2-49
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-49
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-30
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-38
Sunvisors .................................... 2-50
Sunroof
....................................... 2-52
Symbols. Vehicle .................................. x
Synchronization. Remote Keyless Entry ............. 2-14
9-9
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