heating BUICK CENTURY 1997 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BUICK, Model Year: 1997, Model line: CENTURY, Model: BUICK CENTURY 1997Pages: 406, PDF Size: 20.64 MB
Page 241 of 406
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index. You
also have a low coolant warning light on your
instrument panel. See “Low Coolant Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see
or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
5-15
ProCarManuals.com
Page 244 of 406
The coolant level should be at or above the COLD mark
on the overflow hose in the coolant bottle.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
r
r
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
1 NOTICE:
r
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fans are running.
If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-18
ProCarManuals.com
Page 286 of 406
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
J
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com
Page 288 of 406
Checking Coolant
I
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
COLD mark or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should
be up to the HOT mark or a
little higher. If
this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the coolnnt wcovev tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.)
6-22
ProCarManuals.com
Page 289 of 406
Radiator Pressure Cap
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-23
ProCarManuals.com
Page 303 of 406
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the
outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades are
more accessible for removal/replacement while
in
this position.
Pull the windshield wiper arm
3 to 4 inches
(7.5 to 10 cm) away from the windshield.
While holding the wiper arm away from
the glass,
push the release clip from under the blade
connecting point and pull
the blade assembly down
toward the glass to remove it from
the wiper arm.
Push the new wiper blade securely
on the wiper arm
until
you hear the release clip “click” into place.
For wiper blade replacement length and type, also see
“Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
Tires
Your new Buick comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see
your Buick Warranty booklet for details.
Pol .y maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0
0
0
0
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index. Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured
or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
6-37
ProCarManuals.com
Page 396 of 406
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
Page 397 of 406
tiuide en Franpis 11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
Flash-to-Pass ................................ 2-35
High/LowBeam
.............................. 2-35
On Reminder
................................ 2-41
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heated Foldaway Outside Mirrors
.................. 2-48
Heating
............................... 3-4.3-6. 3- 10
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-44
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-38
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-46
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
.. ................................. Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-41
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-41
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Cluster
..................................... 2-54
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-15
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-45
Exterior
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Reading. Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-45
ProCarManuals.com
Page 399 of 406
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