BUICK RIVIERA 1999 Owner's Manual

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6-29 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a 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
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery's label.The battery is located under the rear seat cushion. To
access the battery, see ªRemoving the Rear Seat
Cushionº in the Index. You don't need to access the
battery to jump start your vehicle. See ªJump Startingº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
A battery that isn't properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage your rear
seat safety belt systems. You may not be able to
see this damage, and the safety belts might not
provide the protection needed in a crash. If a
replacement battery is ever needed, it must be
vented in the same manner as the original
battery. Always make sure that the vent hose
is properly reattached before reinstalling the
seat cushion.

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To be sure the vent hose (A) is properly attached, the
vent hose connectors (B) must be securely reattached to
the vent outlets (C) on each side of the battery, and the
vent assembly grommet (D) must be secured to the floor
pan (E).
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº 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 ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

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Bulb Replacement
The following procedure tells you how to replace your
headlamp bulbs. For the type of bulb, see ªReplacement
Bulbsº in the Index.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer's service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
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.
Headlamps
A. Headlamp
B. Front Turn Signal
The entire front headlamp assembly must be removed to
replace the headlamps. If more hand clearance is
required, you may find it easier to remove the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly before replacing bulbs on the
driver's side.

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To remove the air cleaner assembly, see Steps 1 through
3 earlier in this section. See ªAir Cleanerº in the Index.The passenger's side high-beam headlamp access area is
next to the radiator pressure cap.
The passenger's side low
-beam headlamp access area is
to the right and slightly behind the high beam area.
The driver's side high
-beam headlamp access area is
located near the air cleaner.

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The driver's side low-beam headlamp access area
is behind and between the high
-beam area and the
air cleaner.
1. Loosen the two bolts on the inboard edge of the
headlamp assembly. This allows you to pull out
the assembly for more hand clearance when
changing bulbs.
2. Reach into the assembly
and turn the bulb socket
one
-quarter of a turn
toward the center of the
engine compartment,
while pressing it firmly.
3. Remove the wire connector from the bulb by
lifting the lock tab (B) and pulling it away from the
plastic base.
4. Install the bulb by putting the small tab (D) into the
small notch in the lamp (E).5. Turn the bulb socket one
-quarter of a turn making
sure the tab is properly engaged in the panel slot.
6. To reassemble, attach the wire connector (A) to the
plastic base making sure the lock tab (B) is over the
lock (C).
7. Replace the headlamp assembly and tighten the two
bolts on the inboard edge of the assembly.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with
horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been
pre
-set at the factory and should need no further
adjustment. This is true even though your vertical and
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the ª0º
(zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim),
or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you (for
vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps need to be
re
-aimed, we recommend that you take it to your dealer
for service; however, it is possible for you to re
-aim
your headlamps as described in the following procedure.

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NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.

If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver's seat.

Close all doors.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.The headlamp aiming devices are under the hood near
the headlamps.
Start with the horizontal aim. The adjustment screws can
be turned with an E8 Torx
 socket or T15 screwdriver.
Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.
1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw (A) until the
indicator (B) is lined up with zero.

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2. Turn the vertical aiming screw (C) until the level
bubble (D) is lined up with zero.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
The turn signal bulb is located in the front fascia.
1. Remove the panel on the underside of the bulb assembly
by pulling the two fasteners that hold it in place.
2. Reach in to press the locking tab and twist the bulb
socket one
-quarter of a turn counterclockwise and
pull the bulb out of the socket.
3. Replace the bulb, then reassemble by reversing Steps
1 and 2.
Taillamps/Rear Turn Signal/Back-Up
Lamps
Taillamps: A, B and C
Rear Turn Signal: A and C
Back
-Up Lamps: D
The entire taillamp assembly must be removed to
change any of these bulbs.

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To access them, do the following:
1. Remove the screws that secure the trunk trim over
the taillamp area.2. Remove the plastic wing nuts that hold the taillamp
assembly in place.

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3. Pull the taillamp assembly away from the vehicle
carefully, to avoid scratching the paint. The taillamp
has safety straps to help you hold the assembly while
replacing the bulbs.
The following instructions explain how to change
each bulb.1. Remove the bulb socket assembly by squeezing the
plastic lock and turning it one
-quarter of a turn
counterclockwise.

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2. Pull the bulb straight out to remove it from
the socket.
3. Install a new bulb into the socket. Reverse
the instructions to replace the socket and the
taillamp assembly.
Interior Lamps
Front and Rear Reading Lamps
To change the bulbs in the front and rear reading lamps,
do the following:
1. Carefully insert a flat head screwdriver in the slot
between the lens cover and molding.
2. Gently pry the lens cover away to expose the reading
lamp bulb. The lens cover should pop off.
3. Twist or pull the bulb from its assembly and install a
new bulb.
4. Snap the lens cover back in place.