Buick 2003 Century Owner's Manual

Six-Way Power Seats Reclining Seatbacks Your vehicle is equipped with this feature on the driver’s side of the vehicle. It may also be equipped wi

Shifting Out of Park (P) Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes before y

Engine Exhaust A CAUTION: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or smell. It can cause unco

Running Your Engine While You Are Parked It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to kn

Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position. To reduce glar

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview mirror. Push the button in the center of the mirror to

Outside Power Mirrors The power mirror controls are located on the driver’s door armrest. Outside Convex Mirror To choose either the left or ri

Onstar@ System Onstar@ Services Onstar@ provides a number of service plans. Some of the services currently provided by Onstar@ are: 0 Onstar@ uses

Onstar@ Personal Calling With Onstar@ Personal Calling, you have a safer way to stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless phone that

Storage Areas Glove Box Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box, To open, lift the latch. Front Storage Area Center Console Stor

Sunroof Your vehicle may be equipped with an express-open sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a sunshade. The switch to open the sunroof is

3ut don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous.

Section 3 Instrument Panel Instrument Panel Overview ... ... 3.2 Hazard Warning Flashers ... ... 3.3 Other Warnin

I

The main components of the instrument panel are the following: A. Exterior Lamps Control B. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever C. Instrument Pan

The hazard warning flasher button is located on the top of the steering column. Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable position and release the lever to lock the whee

Turn and Lane-Change Signals The turn signal has two upward positions for right and two downward positions for left. These positions allow you t

Flash-to-Pass This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It works even if y

Windshield Washer At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, p

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control: Push in the SET button until you r

Head Restraints Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a

Exterior Lamps Parking Lamps: Pulling the control out, to the first position, turns on the parking lamps together with the following: This control,

Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp System Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle duri

Delayed Headlamps Delayed headlamp illumination provides a period of exterior lighting as you leave your vehicle’s area. The feature is activated

Interior Lamps Instrument Panel Brightness This feature controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. You can brighten or dim the instrum

Delayed Exit Lighting This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time after the ignition key is removed from the ignition. The ignition

Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop) Your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power connection. This feature provides power, ground and accesso

Climate Controls Dual Climate Control System With this system you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation for your vehicle. Manua

@ FAN: The left knob controls the fan speed. OFF: Turn the knob all the way counterclockwise to turn off the fan. LO (Low Fan Speed): This setting

Defogging and Defrosting @ DEF (Defrost): This setting, located on the right knob, directs most of the air through the defroster and the side

Dual Automatic Climate Control System With this system you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation for your vehicle. Automatic Operation

Rear Seats Split Folding Rear Seat If your vehicle has this feature it allows you to have access to the trunk from the inside of your vehicle. Pull

3. The length of time needed for warm up will depend on the outside temperature and the length of time that has elapsed since your veh

MID/FLOOR: This mode directs airflow through both the floor and the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of air is directed to the windshield and

Sensors The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the information to maintai

Defogging and Defrosting 9 FRONT (Defrost): This setting brings in outside air and directs most of the air through the defrost outlet. Some of the

Outlet Adjustment Open and close the air outlets, or adjust the direction of the airflow by moving the levers in the center of each outlet. Operati

For information on how often to change the passenger compartment air filter, see Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5. To change the passenger co

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you

Instrument Panel Cluster The instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fa

Speedometer and Odometer The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The odometer

Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system checks the air bag

Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you s

Charging System Light -7 The charging system light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition, as a check to show you it’s working. Th

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will also come on when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if your parkin

The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is normal. If the light doesn't

Low Traction Light LOW TRAC If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System, this light will come on when the system is limiting wheel spin. You

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage TEMPERATURE Tire Pressure Light You have a gage that shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer

Malfunction Indicator Lamp Service Engine Soon Light Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the control systems. SER

This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of two ways: Light Flashing - A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases

Are you low on fuel? As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of air are s

Oil Pressure Light If you have a problem with your oil, this light may stay on after you start your engine, or come on when you are driving. Thi

Low Oil Level Light LOW OIL Your vehicle is equipped with an oil level monitoring system. When the ignition key is turned on, the LOW OIL light

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some cr

Security Light SECURITY Cruise Control Light The SECURITY light will come on when you turn the key to START and stay on until the vehicle star

Low Washer Fluid Warning Light The LOW WASH light will come on when your windshield washers are LOW WASH container is low. working and the flui

Fuel Gage United States FUEL Canada Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left when the ignition is on. When the indicator near

Audio System(s) Notices Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle - like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way r

AM-FM Radio Playing the Radio ON/OFF: Press this knob to turn the,system on and off. VOLUME: Turn the knob to increase or to decrease volume. RECAL

P SCAN (Preset Scan): Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. Press P SCAN again to stop scanning presets.

Radio with Cassette (Base Level) Playing the Radio ON/OFF: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. VOLUME: Turn the knob to increase

P SCAN (Preset Scan): Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. Press P SCAN again to stop scanning presets.

Playing a Cassette Tape The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be

6 00 (Dolby): Press this pushbutton to reduce background noise. The display will show either OFF or ON for a few seconds when you press the but

6- 1

Radio with Cassette (Up Level) Standard Radio Shown Your vehicle may be equipped with a Concert Sound Ill sound system, which includes eight spe

P SCAN (Preset Scan): Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to the first preset station

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) BAL (Balance): Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the lef

5 SIDE: Press this pushbutton to play the other side of the tape. 6 00 (Dolby): Press this pushbutton to reduce background noise. The double-D sym

Radio with Cassette and CD Standard Radio Shown Your vehicle may be equipped with a Concert Sound Ill sound system, which includes eight

P SCAN (Preset Scan): Press this button to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. Press P SCAN again to stop scanning. The

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) BAL (Balance): Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the left

6 RAND (Dolby): Press this pushbutton to reduce background noise. The double-D symbol will appear on the display. Dolby Noise Reduction is manufac

Playing a Compact Disc Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. If you want

AM-FM: Press this button to listen to the radio when a CD is playing. SOURCE: Press this button to play a cassette tape ot a CD when listening to the

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ... or the instrument panel ... 1-10

Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK@ is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio function

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. Turn th

Audio Steering Wheel Controls If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain radio functions using the buttons on your steering wh

Understanding Radio Reception The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause st

You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of c

Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle Your Driving. the Road. and Your Vehicle ... 4-2 Drunken Driving ...

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start wi

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway de

According to the American Medical Association, a 180 Ib (82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce (355 mi) bottles of beer in an hour will end up w

or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. and your strongest bones take the forces. That's why safety be

But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerato

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts - heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking - rather than keeping pace with traffic. Thi

Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get

Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in sl

Steering nn V V Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but I I i

Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems - steering and braking - have to do their work

Off -Road Recovery You may find that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. An emergency

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in

e e e e Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. W

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust you

e e e e e Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brak

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen

City Driving One of the biggest problems with city streets is the what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Q1IIU

Freeway Driving Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But the

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When yo

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosi

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1.. ... ..* *.. ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. : :s : i> : :o : :x : .

Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyab

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There Winter Driving could be something in vour lane, like a stalled car or 0 an accident. -* You may

Driving on Snow or Ice Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothin

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble bec

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a e$rin~ ~it~?t]nn. VQIJ S~QIJ!~ prnhahly stay with your vehi

Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you an

If You Are 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 w

Towing Towing Your Vehicle Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See Roadside Assi

Dolly Towing Loading Your Vehicle Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps: 1. Put the front

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP A 1 s] DATE GWR GAWR FRT nEIl m MIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALLel VEHICLE SAFETY. BUMPER& T kTld The other label is th

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. t I t I t The lap part of the belt s

Towing a Trailer Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. 0 Put thin

That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety a

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Buick Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33136

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on th

Passing Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want t

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check wit

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the 4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your regular brakes until the chocks absorb the lo

4-42

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Service ... ... 5.3 Doing Your Own Service Work ... ...

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Appearance Care ... Care of Safety Belts ... Wea

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the

Service Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service nee

Doing Your Own Service Work If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much

Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. Gasoline Octane Use regular unleaded gasoline

California Fuel If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it is designed to o

Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be h

While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether below the fuel fill opening. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right (clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure you fully install the cap. T

Checking Things Under the Hood An electric fan under the hood L.I start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hand

Hood Release To open the hood, do the following: 1. Pull the handle inside the vehicle, located just below the instrument panel and to the lef

Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection this way. You can be seriously hurt you

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir B. Battery C. Underhood Fuse Block D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal E. Radiator Pressure Cap F.

I The engine oil fill cap is located toward the front of When to Add Engine Oil If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip of

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by looking for the starburst symbol. This symbol indicates

As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You should look for and use only oils wh

How to Reset the CHANGE OIL SOON Light The GM Oil Life SystemTM calculates when to change your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Any

Engine Air CleanedFilter The engine air cleaner/filter is located underneath a diagonal brace in the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the

Automatic Transaxle Fluid When to Check and Change A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level is when the engine oil is change

Checking the Fluid Level Prepare your vehicle as follows: Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running. a With the parking brake applie

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area. 4. If the fluid level is

Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 ye

Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. You can be seriously injur- -~ if your bel i buckled in the wrong place

Adding only plail. .later to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil before

Checking Coolant The engine coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle at the rear of the engine compartment. See

Radiator Pressure Cap Nofice: Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light, can indicate a serious problem. If you get an engi

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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixt

If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mixture directly to the radiator, but be s

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator Notice: Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could cause your en

Q: What’s wrong with this? You can be seriol y injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are h

7. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD 8. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, mark on the coolant recovery tank. but leave t

Power Steering Fluid 11. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck, r

When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system o

Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you w

Brakes Brake Fluid A Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. See

What to Add I have too much brake fk-, it can spil. an the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot enough. You or others could be

Notice: Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake system parts. For example, just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine

Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected

Battery Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free ACDelco@ battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement n

Q: What’s wrong with this? L A: The belt is twisted across the body. You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t

Jump Starting If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to fol

To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, squeeze the sides of the red plastic cap and pull the cap upward. You should always use the

Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has o

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative (-) cable doesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes

Jumper Cable Removal A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (-) Terminal To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehi

Headlamp Aiming Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been pre-set at the factor

Driver’s Side Headlamp Shown A. Vertical Aim Adjustment Screw B. Horizontal Aim Adjustment Screw Open the hood and locate the vertical and horizo

Bulb Replacement For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this section, contact your dealer. For the type of bulb, see Replacement Bulbs o

5. Remove the rubber access cover from behind the bulb you are replacing. 6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn and remove it 7. Lift the plas

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt i

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) 1. Open the trunk. 2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk lid. 3. Remove the old bulb by turning i

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps A A 1. Open the trunk. 2. If your vehicle is equipped with a convenience net, 3. Remove the three plastic wi

Back-up Lamps 14 1. Open the trunk lid. 2. Remove the seven wing nuts (A) from the lamp 3. Remove the lamp covering. covering. 4. Twist and

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade Chec

Tires Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and

Notice: Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires don’t have enough air (underinflatio

The tire inflation monitor system detects differences in tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire pressure. The system can aler

Tire Inspection and Rotation Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12 500 km). Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as p

Rust or dirt or. _. wheel, or on the parts to ~ which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could ~ c

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 w

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be ser

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section wi

Temperature - A, B, C The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ab

Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking and handl

Tire Chains Notice: Use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size

Changing a Flat Tire If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning

Removing the Spare The equipment you’ll need is Tire and Tools in the trunk. 1. Turn the center nut on the compact spare tire cover counterclockwise

3. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise and remove it. Then remove the jack and wrench. The tools you’ll be using include the jack (

Removing the Wheel Covers If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers, be sure to use a wheel wrench to begin the process of loosening the plast

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts. Don’t remove them yet. 2. Turn th

C' For jacking at the vehicle's rear location, put the jack lift head (B) about 5 inches (13 em) from the front edge of the rear wheel open

Center Passenger Position Lap Belt n If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions. 1-22 When you

5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground for the spare compact tire to fit unde

Never use 011 or grease on studs or nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident. 8. Inst

11. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown. ncorrect lee luts or improperly I - ltened wheel nuts can cause the whee

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools r L Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools When storing a compact spare tire in the trunk, put the protector/guide back in the foam holder. Storing a jack

Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation

Appearance Care Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can burst into flames if you strike a match or get them on

Here are some cleaning tips: Always read the instructions on the cleaner label. Clean up stains as soon as you can - before Carefully scrape off an

Vinyl Top of the Instrument Panel Use warm water and a clean cloth. Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may have to do this m

Care of Safety Belts Keep belts clean and dry. Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle Do not bleach or dye safety bell ~ ~ IOU do, it may sever

n GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem and the name CENTURY are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the part of a lap-shoulde

Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follo

Aluminum Wheels Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry

Underbody Maintenance Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed, accel

GM Vehicle Care/A (C( Description Finish Enhancer Swirl Remover Polish Cleaner Wax Foaming Tire Shine Low Gloss Wash Wax Concentrate 3pearance Mater

Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) SAMPI FdlJX1 M077675 In;‘- Service Parts Identification Label You’ll find this label

Electrical System Add-on Electrical Equipment Notice: Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle unless you check with your dealer first. Som

Fuses and Circuit Breakers The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers and

Fuses PARK LOCK- ~ Blank Blank PCM, BCM, U/H RELAY RADIO PREM. SOUND POWER MIRRORS Blank PANEL DIMMING Blank IGN 0, CLUSTER, PCM, BCM Blank ~ Blank B

BCM PWR Body Control Module HAZARD Hazard Flashers LH HEATED SEAT Driver's Heated Seat 1 Blank I Not Used I BCM ACC IB Ignition Signal: Hot

7 8 Usage High Blower, Hazard Flasher, Stoplamps, Power Mirror, Door Locks Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps, Anti-Lock Brake System, Turn Signals, C

Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are h

Usage Rear Compartment Release Parking Lamps Fuel Pump Headlamp (Left) Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used A/C Compressor

Capacities and Specifications Capacities and Specifications 1 Application Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a Automatic Transaxle Pan Removal and

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts I Part I Spark Plugs Wiper Blade Type Number AI 61 4C* 10406026 Type PF4

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Schedule ... 6.2 Introduction ...

Maintenance Schedule Introduction IMPORTANT: KEEP ENGlNE.OlL 1 AT ME PROPER LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED I Have you purchased the GM Protecti

How This Section is Organized This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts: “Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” explains what to ha

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services This part contains engine oil scheduled maintenance which explains the engine oil life system and how it in

Scheduled Maintenance The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles (166 000 km)

When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON li

When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. If the belt is no

37,500 Miles (62 500 km) 0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-60 for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (

67,500 Miles (1 12 500 km) 0 Rotate tires. See Tire lnspection and Rotation on page 5-60 for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See

100,000 Miles (166 000 km) 0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control Cl Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service. 0 Change autom

Part B: Owner Checks and Services Listed in this part are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to hel

At Least Twice a Year Restraint System Check Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractor

Star'-r Switch Check When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be injured. Follow the

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever positio

Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections Listed in this part are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for ins

Throttle System Inspection Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as neede

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. You can be seriously hurt if yo

Part E: Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and any ad

Maintenance Record Serviced By (cont’d) 6-1 8

Maintenance Record (cont’d) 6-1 9

Maintenance Record (cont’d) 6-20

Section 7 Customer Assistance Information Customer Assistance Information ... Customer Satisfaction Procedure ... Customer Assistance fo

Customer Assistance Information Customer Satisfaction Procedure Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and to Buick. Normally,

STEP THREE: Both General Motors and your dealer are committed to making sure you are completely satisfied with your new vehicle. However, if you

Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired and who use Text Tel

GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities This program, available to qualified applicants, can reimburse you up to $1,000 toward afterma

We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the following additional services depending on your needs: Hotels Glass replacement Tire repair

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may have this feature already. If it doesn’t, you can get it

Courtesy Transportation Buick has always exemplified quality and value in its offering of motor vehicles. To enhance your ownership experien

Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement If your vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs, reimbursement up to $30 per day (five days maximum

Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cau

Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll

Service Bulletins Service Bulletins give technical service information needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulleti

A Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature ... 3-61 Adding Washer Fluid ... 5-37 Additional Progr

Backing Up ... ... 4-39 Battery ... 5-42 Battery Replace

Child Restraints (cont.) Infants and Young Children ... 1-32 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH Sy

Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp System ... 3-1 2 Defensive Driving ...

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert t

Engine (cont.) Coolant Temperature Gage ... 3-35 Coolant Temperature Warning Light ... 3-34 Cooling System

G Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ... 3-35 Fuel ... 3-43 Speedometer ...

Inspection Brake System ... 6-15 Engine Cooling System ... 6-14 Exhaust Syste

Light (cont.) Low Traction ... 3-34 Low Washer Fluid Warning ... 3-42 Malfunctio

Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview ... 2-33 Automatic Dimming Rearview with Onstar@ ... 2-33 Manual Rearview Mirror ...

Playing a Compact Disc ... 3-59 Playing the Radio ... 3-45, 3-47, 3-51, 3-55 Power Auxiliary Connect

Restraint System Check ... 6-1 1 Checking Your Restraint Systems ... 1-63 Replacing Restraint System Part

Service Manuals ... 7-10 Setting Preset Stations ... 3.46, 3.48, 3.52, 3-56 Setting the Time ...

Top of the Instrument Panel ... 5-81 Top Strap Anchor Location ... 1-42 Top Strap ...

W Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ... 3-27 Warnings Hazard Warning Flashers ... 3-3 Other Warning

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-24. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosse

S31QN

6 NOTES

Child Restraints Older Children If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and

I Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two chi

Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the chil

Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about th

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young childr

I Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-s

Q: What are the different types of add-on child A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the restraints? vehicle’s owner, are availa

Child Restraint Systems The body structure of a young clL j is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts

I A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infa

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restrai

Top Strap A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger’s air ba

1-41

Top Strap Anchor Location Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for the rear seating positions. You’ll fi the rear seat filler pane

Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A

To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system will have a dot on

1 A. Vehicle anchor B. LATCH system attachment points With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a c

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want to use, where the bottom of

3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 4. Pull

5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the latch system, see Lower Anchorages and

1. .- 3 . 3. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. PC!! the rectr2int e!? thP se2t Run the

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. Your vehicle has a right fmnt passenger air bag. Never

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child rest

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle: POSSIBLE /i\ CAUTION INJURY PROTECT SHIELDING I CAUSTIC I CAUSE % BATERY ACI

Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has air bags - a frontal air bag for the driver

The side impact air bag for the driver is designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the driver’s sid

1 -‘one u 3 is up aJns ., 3r very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder

Where Are the Air Bags? The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in t

If something is between an occupant and an ~ air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person

When Should an Air Bag Inflate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal

What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For bot

What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates? After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize th

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several pla

NOTES vi

Restraint System Check Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckle

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts

Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ... 2-2 Remote Keyless Entry System ...

Leaving childrer I a vehicle wit ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could

The ignition key is for the ignition only. -1 The door key is for the The ignition and door keys don’t have plugs. Your dealer or Buick Roadsid

Remote Keyless Entry System Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation & : (Remote Alarm) Press this button to activate an alarm. The ignition must be in OFF or ACC for t

Programmable Modes Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the following modes. Mode 1: No Verification Mode 2: Horn Chirp only Mode 3: Headlamps Fl

Delayed Locking Delayed locking allows the doors to be locked while the passengers are exiting the vehicle. This feature also allows a brief time p

After an initial transaxle cycle, each additional cycle will toggle the enable/disable state of the delayed locking feature. During this procedure, t

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ... 1-2 Manual Seats ...

Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may dam

Doors and Locks Door Locks Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Passengers - especially children - can easily open the doors and fall out of

Power Door Locks Your vehicle is equipped with front power door lock switches. Press a power door lock switch to lock or unlock all doors. The re

Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was programmed to Mode 3. The mode in which your vehicle was programmed may have been ch

Trunk Lock Trunk It can be dangerous to d...e ~.%,1 the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’

Trunk Assist Handle Your vehicle may have an assist handle located on the inside of the trunk lid toward the driver’s side of the vehicle. Pull dow

Windows Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer perma

Power Windows To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the front of the sw

Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features,

Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try again. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears to be clean and dry, wai

Front Seats Manual Seats Lift the bar located under the front of the passenger’s seat. This will unlock the seat. Slide the seat to where you

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform bet

Notice: If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? If

Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the exces

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is attached to the underside of the

Automatic Transaxle Operation Your automatic transaxle will have a shift lever on the steering column. PARK (P): This position locks your fron

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You m

Notice: If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster, something may be wrong with

Parking Brake To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal with your left fo

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake with your left foot. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Rr lining Then, see if you can move the shift lever out of PARK (P) without first pushing the button.