1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual 1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
lg a TrailerA CAUTION:If you don’t use the correct equipment and driveproperly, you can lose control when you pull atrailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, thebrakes may not work well -- or even at all. Youand your passengers could be seriously injured.Pull a trailer only if you have followed all thesteps in thisection. Ask your Buick dealer foradvice and information about towing a trailerwith your vehicle.NOTICE:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage yourvehicle and result in costly repairs not covered byyour warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, followthe advice in this part, and see your Buick dealerfor important information about towing a trailerwith your vehicle.Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a2.2L (VIN Code 4) engine.Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the3.1L V6 (VTN Code M) engine and proper trailer towingequipment. To identify what the vehicle traileringcapacity is for your vehicle, you should read theinformation in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears laterin this section. But trailering is different than justdriving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changesin handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to beused properly.That’s the reason for this part. In it are manytime-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.Many of these are important for your safety and that ofyour passengers. So please read this section carefullybefore you pull a trailer.Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harderagainst the drag of the added weight. The engine isrequired to operate at relatively higher speeds and undergreater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, thetrailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasingthe pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A TrailerIf you do, here are some important points:e There are many different laws, including speed limitrestrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sureyour rig will be legal, not only where you live butalso where you’ll be driving. A good source for thisinformation can be state or provincial police.Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitchdealer about sway controls.Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,axle or other parts could be damaged.Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that youtow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 kmh) anddon’t make starts at full throttle. This helps yourengine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at theheavier loads.Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speedfor trailers (or no more than 55 mph (88 km/h)) tosave wear on your vehicle’s parts.Three important considerations have to do with weight:the weight of the trailer,the weight of the trailer tongueand the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.Weight of the TrailerYour vehicle can tow normally up to 1,000 lbs. (450 kg).If your vehicle has a 3.1 L V6 engine with a four-speedautomatic transaxle and is equipped with the optionalheavy-duty engine cooling system, it can tow up to2,000 lbs. (900 kg).It depends on how you plan to use your rig. Forexample, speed, altitude, road grades, outsidetemperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull atrailer are all important. And, it can also depend on anyspecial equipment that you have on your vehicle.You can ask your dealer for our trailering information oradvice, or you can write us at:Buick Motor DivisionCustomer Assistance Center902 E. Hamilton Ave.Flint, MI 48550In Canada, write to:General Motors of Canada LimitedCustomer Assistance Center1908 Colonel Sam DriveOshawa, Ontario LlH 8P74-31
- Page 110 and 111: If the light flashes when you’re
- Page 112 and 113: Engine Coolant Temperature GageIkTE
- Page 114 and 115: If the Light Is FlashingThe followi
- Page 116 and 117: The oil light could also come on in
- Page 118 and 119: NOTES2-60
- Page 120 and 121: The upper lever has three air condi
- Page 122 and 123: Ventilation Tips000Keep the hood an
- Page 124 and 125: In addition to the four stationset
- Page 126 and 127: FORWARD: Press the right arrow to r
- Page 128 and 129: iFixed Mast AntennaThe fixed mast a
- Page 130 and 131: NOTES3-12
- Page 132 and 133: ~ DrunkenDriving The obvious way to
- Page 134 and 135: The body takes about an hour to rid
- Page 136 and 137: Avoid needless heavy braking. Some
- Page 138 and 139: Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t chang
- Page 140 and 141: Steering in EmergenciesThere are ti
- Page 142 and 143: 0 Do not get too close to the vehic
- Page 144 and 145: Driving at NightHere are some tips
- Page 146 and 147: Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRai
- Page 148 and 149: Hydroplaning usually happens at hig
- Page 150 and 151: eeway Driving-Mile for mile, freewa
- Page 152 and 153: Highway HypnosisIs there actually s
- Page 154 and 155: W* kter DrivingHere are some tips f
- Page 156 and 157: If You're Caught in a BlizzaruPut o
- Page 158 and 159: Loading Your VehicleTIRE-LOADING IN
- Page 162 and 163: Weight of the Trailer TongueThe ton
- Page 164 and 165: Driving with a TrailerTowing a trai
- Page 166 and 167: Parking on HillsYou really should n
- Page 168 and 169: Your hazard warning flashers work n
- Page 170 and 171: Using a match near a battery can ca
- Page 172 and 173: 9. Don't let the other endtouch any
- Page 174 and 175: To help avoid injury to you or othe
- Page 176 and 177: 2. Position a 4”x 4” wood beam
- Page 178 and 179: .. .. .I"=--I2. Position the lower
- Page 180 and 181: If No Steam Is Coming From Your Eng
- Page 182 and 183: ( A C A u TT” I:An electric fan u
- Page 184 and 185: INOTICE:In cold weather, water can
- Page 186 and 187: How to Add Coolant to the Radiatorr
- Page 188 and 189: 4. Fill the radiator with the prope
- Page 190 and 191: If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual f
- Page 192 and 193: SedanThe equipment you’ll need is
- Page 194 and 195: Standard Wheel CoverWire Wheel Cove
- Page 196 and 197: Gettir under a vehicle w1I it is ja
- Page 198 and 199: Never use oil or grease on studs or
- Page 200 and 201: I NOTICE:Improperly tightened wheel
- Page 202 and 203: NUTWHEEL WREN0FULL SIZE FLAT /COMPA
- Page 204 and 205: Don’t use your compact spare on o
- Page 206 and 207: NOTES
- Page 208 and 209: Your vehicle has an air bag system.
If You Do Decide To Pull A TrailerIf you do, here are some important points:e There are many different laws, including speed limitrestrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sureyour rig will be legal, not only where you live butalso where you’ll be driving. A good source for thisinformation can be state or provincial police.Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitchdealer about sway controls.Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,axle or other parts could be damaged.Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that youtow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 kmh) anddon’t make starts at full throttle. This helps yourengine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at theheavier loads.Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speedfor trailers (or no more than 55 mph (88 km/h)) tosave wear on your vehicle’s parts.Three important considerations have to do with weight:the weight of the trailer,the weight of the trailer tongueand the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.Weight of the TrailerYour vehicle can tow normally up to 1,000 lbs. (450 kg).If your vehicle has a 3.1 L V6 engine with a four-speedautomatic transaxle and is equipped with the optionalheavy-duty engine cooling system, it can tow up to2,000 lbs. (900 kg).It depends on how you plan to use your rig. Forexample, speed, altitude, road grades, outsidetemperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull atrailer are all important. And, it can also depend on anyspecial equipment that you have on your vehicle.You can ask your dealer for our trailering information oradvice, or you can write us at:<strong>Buick</strong> Motor DivisionCustomer Assistance Center902 E. Hamilton Ave.Flint, MI 48550In Canada, write to:General Motors of Canada LimitedCustomer Assistance Center1908 Colonel Sam DriveOshawa, Ontario LlH 8P74-31
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