1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual 1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
Driving with a TrailerTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to getto know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel ofhandling and braking with the added weight of thetrailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you aredriving is now a good deal longer and not nearly asresponsive as your vehicle is by itself.Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer haselectric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving andthen apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be surethe brakes are working. This lets you check yourelectrical connection at the same time.During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that theload is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakesare still working.Following DistanceStay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as youwould when driving your vehicle without a trailer. Thiscan help you avoid situations that require heavy brakingand sudden turns.PassingYou’ll need more passing distance up ahead whenyou’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deallonger, you’ll need to go much farther beyond thepassed vehicle before you can return to your lane.Backing UpHold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that handto the left. To move the trailer to the right, move yourhand to the right. Always back up slowly and, ifpossible, have someone guide you.
Making TurnsI NOTICE:Making very sharp turns while trailering couldcause the trailer to come in contact with thevehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoidmaking very sharp turns while trailering.When you’re turning with a trailer, make widerturns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’tstrike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or otherobjects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signalwell in advance.Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerWhen you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need adifferent turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Checkwith your Buick dealer. The arrows on your instrumentpanel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lanechange. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will alsoflash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, changelanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrumentpanel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailerare burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behindyou are seeing your signal when they are not. It’simportant to check occasionally to be sure the trailerbulbs are still working.Driving On GradesReduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you startdown a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shiftdown, you might have to use your brakes so much thatthey would get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce yourspeed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce thepossibility of engine and transaxle overheating.If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than1,000 lbs. (450 kg) and you have an automatic transaxlewith overdrive, you may prefer to drive in THIRD (3)instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@I). Anoverdrive transmission is required if towing a trailer morethan 1,000 lbs. (450 kg).4-35
- 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 160 and 161: lg a TrailerA CAUTION:If you don’
- Page 162 and 163: Weight of the Trailer TongueThe ton
- 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.
- Page 210 and 211: Fuels in Foreign CountriesIf you pl
- Page 212 and 213: When you put the cap back on, turn
Making TurnsI NOTICE:Making very sharp turns while trailering couldcause the trailer to come in contact with thevehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoidmaking very sharp turns while trailering.When you’re turning with a trailer, make widerturns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’tstrike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or otherobjects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signalwell in advance.Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerWhen you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need adifferent turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Checkwith your <strong>Buick</strong> dealer. The arrows on your instrumentpanel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lanechange. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will alsoflash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, changelanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrumentpanel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailerare burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behindyou are seeing your signal when they are not. It’simportant to check occasionally to be sure the trailerbulbs are still working.Driving On GradesReduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you startdown a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shiftdown, you might have to use your brakes so much thatthey would get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce yourspeed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce thepossibility of engine and transaxle overheating.If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than1,000 lbs. (450 kg) and you have an automatic transaxlewith overdrive, you may prefer to drive in THIRD (3)instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@I). Anoverdrive transmission is required if towing a trailer morethan 1,000 lbs. (450 kg).4-35
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