1993 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

/r CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come
into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If you must drive with the liftgate or liftglass
open:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system
to its highest speed with the setting
on NORM
or VENT. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls’’ in
.the Index.
instrument panel, ope1 hem all the way.
If you have air vents on or under the
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock
and unlock the glove box.
To open, pinch the latch
release.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although
your Buick has a number of theft deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can
help.
Key in the ignition: If you walk away from your vehicle
with the keys inside, it’s an easy target for
joy riders or
professional thieves-so don’t do it. When you park your
Buick and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear
a chime
reminding
you to remove your key from the ignition and
take it with you. Always do this. Your steering wheel will
be locked, and
so will your ignition and transaxle. And
remember to lock the doors.
n
ProCarManuals.com

Parking at Night: Park in a lighted spot, close all
windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep your
valuables out of sight. Put them
in a storage area, or take
them with you.
Parking Lots: If you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your
keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition key?
What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
1. Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk or
glove box, or rear storage area in the’ wagon.
2. Lock the glove box.
3. Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
4. Then take the door key with you.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
72
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Key Positions Off: Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition, and transaxle,
but does not send electrical power to any accessories.
.Use
this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
A
warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition
is off and the key is in the ignition.
I
Run: An “on” position to which the. switch returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the “Run” position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
“Run” to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
Start: Starts the engine. When the engine starts, release
the key. The ignition switch will return to “Run” for
normal driving.
with the ignition key
h the ignition switch, YOU can turn Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
the switch to five positions: “Accessory” and “Run” \
are “on” positions that allow
.Accessory: An “on” position in which you can operate you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
your electrical power accessories. Press
in the ignition ‘ radio.
switch as you
turn the top of it toward you.
Lock: The only position in which you can remove the
key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and
transaxle.
ProCarManuals.com

I I.
If your key &ems suwn in ‘‘Lu~n IU Y~U
can’t turn it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is,
then turn the steering wheel left and right
while you turn the key hard. But turn the key
only with your hand. Using
a tool to force it
could break the key or the ignition switch. If
none
of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
I
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will find the VIN at the top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle Identification
Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper steps to
start
the engine.
Move your shift lever to
“P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t
start in any other position-that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use “N” (Neutral) only.
To start your 2.2L L4 (Code 4) engine:
1. Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because
of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
3. If it doesn’t start right away, push the accelerator pedal
about one-quarter of the way down while you turn the
key
to “Start;’ Do this until the engine starts. As soon
as it does, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
2. Turn your ignition key to “Start:’ When the engine
74
ProCarManuals.com

4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
To start your 3300 V6 (Code N) engine:
1. Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because of yourwehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
starts, let go of the key. The idle
speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
2. Turn your ignition key to “Start? When the engine
3. If it doesn’t start right away, push the accelerator pedal
about one-quarter of the way down while you turn the
key to “Start;’ Do
this until the engine starts. As soon
as it does, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
seconds-at a time will cause your battery to b
drained much sooner. And the excessive hea
can damage your starter motor,
4. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about
15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Turn the ignition
key to
“Off’ Wait 10 seconds, then repeat Step 3.
I
I
75
ProCarManuals.com

~ Driving T -ough Deep Standing Water
orktanding
water, water can come in through
your engine’s air intake and badly damage your en ine. If ou can’t avoid dee uddles
or stan
slowly.
Engine Block Heatel lada only)
In very cold weather, 0°F (-HOC) or colder, the engine
block
heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine warm-up.
To use the block heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded UC olt outlet.
I I
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet I
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a fire.
You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt outlet.
If the
cord won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-
prong extension cord rated for at least 15
amps.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
After you’ve
How long should you keep the block heater plugged in? The
answer depends on the weather, the kind of
oil you have,
and some other things. Instead of trying
to list everything
here, we ask that you contact a Buick dealer, in the area
where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic .Transaxle
There are several different
positions for your
shift
lever.
P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use\

when you
start your engine because your vehicle can’t
move easily.
I- -
I a CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is
not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set.
Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You
or others could be injured. To I
be sure your vehicle won’t move, when you’re
on fairly level
ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to “P” (Park).
See “Shifting
Into ‘P’ (Park)” in the Index. If
you are parking
on a hill, or, if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Parking
on Hills” or “Towing
a Trailer”
in the Index.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
ProCarManuals.com

f, ‘,,moving forward could damage your transaxle,
to
“R” only after your vehicle is stopped
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow’’ in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the
wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral)
only. Also, use “N” when your vehicle is
being towed.
I A CAUTION:
Shifting out,of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral)
while your engine is “racing” (running at high
speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly
on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit
people or objects. Don’t shift out of “P” (Park)
or “N” (Neutral) while your engine
is racing.
@ (Automatic Overdrive)
If your automatic transaxle has automatic overdrive, this
position is for normal driving. If you need more power
for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down. You’ll
shift down to the
next gear and have more power.
D (Third Gear)
If your automatic transaxle does not have Overdrive, this
position is for normal driving, at all
speeds, in most
street
and highway situations.
78
ProCarManuals.com