traction control BUICK CENTURY 1998 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BUICK, Model Year: 1998, Model line: CENTURY, Model: BUICK CENTURY 1998Pages: 368, PDF Size: 2.55 MB
Page 230 of 368
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5-28
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. You should turn your
traction control system off. (See ªTraction Control Systemº
in the Index.) If your vehicle has traction control, you should
turn the system off. (See ªTraction Control Systemº in the
Index.) Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you
may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Page 275 of 368
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6-43 Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
Page 276 of 368
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6-44 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow tires,
space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a
half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Page 362 of 368
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9-6
Instrument Panel 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack, Tire 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Reminder Warning 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keyless Entry 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labels
Certification 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Parts Identification 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Identification Number 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamp, Trunk 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamps 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latches, Seatback 1-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2
-29 . . . . . . .
License Plate Holder 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light Sensor, Twilight Sentinel 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lighter 2-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights
Air Bag Readiness 1
-23, 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2-71, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Warning 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning 2-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake to Shift 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Oil 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Ajar 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Coolant Warning 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Fuel 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Pressure 2-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Reminder 1-9, 2-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Engine Soon 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction Control System Warning 2-71, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer Fluid Low 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Your Vehicle 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door, Delayed Locking 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check 7-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinder Service 7-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lockout Protection 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 367 of 368
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9-11
Tire-Loading Information Label 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare 5-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation Check 7-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Your Vehicle 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-24, 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing a Trailer 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing, Recreational Vehicle 4-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing Your Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction
Control System 4
-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control System Warning Light 2-71, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer
Brakes 4
-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving with 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Towing 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmitter
Remote Keyless Entry 2
-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Universal 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk
Lock 2
-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Release Lockout, Remote 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Release, Remote 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Override 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TTY Users 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn and Lane Change Signals 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal Reminder 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Twilight Sentinel2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .