BUICK CENTURY 1997 Owners Manual

What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage
hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where
the temperature
may
fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
6-25
ProCarManuals.com

~ NOTICE:
e
e
e
e
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion
if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are
put in, the fluid level
goes back up.
The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If
you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @I (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean
the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
A
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Wear
NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index. Your
Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time
your vehicle is moving (except when
you are
pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel
nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection”
in Section 7 of this manual
under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be
a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones
put in -- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts.
If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change
in many
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that
has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
6-29
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Storage Bulb Replacement
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days In this section you’ll find directions for changing the
or more, take off the black, negative (-) cable from
bulbs in some of the lamps on your Buick. See
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
“Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to find the type of
running down.
bulb you should use.
r
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
1 Halogen Bulbs
I m-
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to
read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamps 4. Connect the new headlamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
5. Insert the headlamp into the slots in the fascia.
6. Slide the retainers downward until they are
fully seated.
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist and pull the sidemarker lamp socket from the
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb from
headlamp assembly.
the socket.
1. Pull
up on the headlamp retainers to release the
assembly locator tabs.
2. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.
3. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the headlamp
bulb socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Put the socket back into the headlamp assembly and
turn it to the right until it
is secure.
7. Replace the rubber bulb access cover.
6-31
ProCarManuals.com

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one-quarter of a turn
right to left.
4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the bulb one-quarter ofa turn to the right
to replace.
6. Close the trunk.
6-32
ProCarManuals.com

TaiVStop/Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the three plastic wing nuts (A). (Pliers may
be required
to remove the wing nuts.)
A A
4
2. Pull the taillamp housing away from the body of
the vehicle (B).
3. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the socket
right to left.
4. Pull out the socket.
5. Pull the bulb out of the socket. (There are two bulbs
on each taillamp.)
6. Push in a new bulb.
7. Replace the socket into the housing and turn to
the right.
8. Replace the taillamp housing to the body of
the vehicle.
9. Install the wing nuts.
10. Tighten the plastic nuts.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com

Trunk Lid Applique 1. Open the trunk lid halfway.
2. Remove the wing nuts (A) from the studs on
the applique. (There are eight wing nuts. Pliers may
be required
to remove them.)
3. Remove the applique from the trunk lid.
Then:
1. Install the new bulbs into the applique sockets (B).
2. Connect the applique to the lid.
3. Reconnect the wing nuts to the studs on the applique
and hand-tighten.
4. Close the trunk lid.
6-34
ProCarManuals.com