change wheel BUICK CENTURY 2003 User Guide

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off. See ªChanging a Flat
Tireº in the Index.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
·You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
·You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.
·The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
·The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
·The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
5-61

Tire Chains
Notice:Use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class ªSº type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install them
on the front tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblowoutº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the ¯at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel ®rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a ¯at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a ¯at tire.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
5-66

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ¯ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake ®rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't
move, you can put blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the other
side of the vehicle, at the opposite end.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
5-67

5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the spare compact tire to ®t underneath
the wheel well.
6. Remove all wheel nuts and take off the ¯at tire.7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
5-73

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
quali®ed applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward aftermarket driver or
passenger adaptive
equipment you may require
for your vehicle (hand
controls, wheelchair/
scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under the 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km) new car
warranty (whichever occurs ®rst).
Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network of Buick dealers.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides an
extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick's Roadside Assistance toll-free number is staffed
by a team of technically trained advisors, who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest Buick
dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
·Fuel delivery
·Lock-out service (identi®cation required)
·Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
·Change a ¯at tire
·Jump starts
7-6

Tires (cont.)
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-64
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-61
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-22
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-42
Top Strap......................................................1-40
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-38
Towing..........................................................4-32
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-32
Traction.........................................................3-28
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-28
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)...................4-10
Low Light...................................................3-29
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-38
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-23
Transaxle.......................................................5-19
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-14
Trunk Lock....................................................2-13
Trunk............................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-40
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-13
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-91
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-50
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-63
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-5
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss................................................3-49
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-65
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-80
14

What to Use..................................5-24, 5-37, 5-38
Wheels..........................................................5-64
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-64
Replacement...............................................5-64
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-16
When to Check and Change............................5-19
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-37
When to Check..............................................5-58
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-41
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-39
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-8
Window Lock-Out............................................2-16
Windows.......................................................2-15Power........................................................2-16
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check................6-10
Windshield Washer........................................... 3-8
Fluid..........................................................5-38
Windshield Wiper............................................5-56
Blade Replacement......................................5-56
Fuses........................................................5-88
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-7
Winter Driving................................................4-26
Wiper Blade Check.........................................6-11
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
16