1993 BUICK CENTURY parking brake

n
part 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick. and informat\
ion on starting.
shifting and braking . Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly-and what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2 includes:
Keys ........................................................................\
........
Locks ........................................................................\
...... 65
Remote Keyless Entry System ........................................................... 66
New Vehicle Break-In ................................................................. 72
Ignition ........................................................................\
..... 73
Starting Your Engine .................................................................. 74
Shifting the Transaxle ........................................... : ..................... 77
parking Brake ........................................................................\
80
ShiftingIntoPark ..................................................................... 81
Windows ........................................................................\
... 84
Horn ........................................................................\
....... 86
TiltSteeringWheel ................................................................... 86
Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever ....................................................... 86
Windshield Wipers, Washer ........................................................... 88
CruiseControl ..................................................................... 91
InteriorLights ....................................................................... \
95
Headlights ........................................................................\
.. 95
Mirrors ........................................................................\
..... 98
Instrument Panel ..................................................................... 105
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators .................................................. 106
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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.
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Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
I
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right
foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
If the ignition
is on, the brake system
I warning light will come on.
L
I
To release the parking
brake:
Hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull the
brake release lever.
NOTICE:
Driving with thiparl ‘g brake or )use
your rear brakesto oveFheat. ybu may have
-
replace them, and you could alse damage
other parts
of your vehicle.
If you are on a hill: See “Parking on Hills” in the Index.
That section shows
how to turn your front wheels.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill: See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from
moving.
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Shifting Into “P” (Park)
,3
/i CAUTION: ~
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehlcle
if the shift lever is not fully in “P” (Park) with ,
the parking brake firmly set. bur vehicle can -.
roll.
If you have left the engine runnin.g, the vehicle
can move suddenly. ybu
or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t inwe,
when you’re on fairly level ground, Use the ‘
steps that follow. If you are parking on a hill,
or if you’m pulling a trailer, also see. “Parking
on Hills” or “Towing B Trailer” in the Index.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set
the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the “P” (Park) position like
this:
Pull the lever toward you.
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F- LA- 1
Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to “Lock:’
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk
away from your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is
in “P” (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
“P”
(Park) with the parking brake firmly set. And, if
you leave the vehicle with the engine running,
it could overheat and even catch fire. Ybu or
others could be injured. Don’t leave your
vehicle with the engine running unless you
have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle
is in “P” (Park) and your parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you’ve
moved the shift lever into
the “P” (Park) position, hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from
“P” (Park) without first pulling
it toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t hlly
locked into
“P’ (Park).
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Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
1
I a CAUTION: I
Idling the engine with the air system “control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier
CAUTION under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling In a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the hlghest setting. One
place this can happen
is a garage. Exhaust-. -
with C0-n come in easily.’ NEVER park in a
garage wlth the engine running.
Another closed-in place can
be a blizzard.
It can be dpngeroua to get out of your vehicle
If the shift lever is not fully On “P” (Park) wlth
the parking
brake firmly set. bur vehicle can
roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
Os runnhg unless you. have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly.
Nu or others could be injured. To
I
I
I (See “Blizzard” In.the Index.)
CAUTION (Continued)
- - - -
I CAUTION (C __ ____ Jued) ..
be sureyour vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, always set your
parking
brake and move the shift lever to “P”,
(Park).
Follow the proper steps to be &re your
vehicle won’t move.
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 Thiler” in the Index.
i
Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank
to open and close each window.
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Headlight “On” Warning
If you open the door while leaving the lights on, you will
hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The Canadian Federal Government has decided that “Daytime Running Lights” (DRL)
are a useful feature, in
that DIU can make your vehicle more visible to
pedestrians and other drivers during daylight hours. DRL
are required on new vehicles sold in Canada.
Your DRL work with a light sensor on top
of the
instrument panel. Don’t cover it up. The low beam
headlights will come on at reduced brightness
in daylight
when:
The ignition is on
The headlight switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
At dusk, the exterior. lights will come bn &.nomatically
and the low
beams will change to full brightness. At
dawn, the exterior lights will go out and the low beams
will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL (if the
headlight switch is off).
Of course, you may still turn on the headlights any time
you need to.
To idle your vehicle with DRL off, set the parking brake
while the ignition is in the
“Off’ or “Lock” position.
Then start the vehicle. The
DRL will stay off until you
release the parking brake.
Map Light
& Press the switch to turn the
map light on and
off.
MAP
ON
OFF
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Volts Gage (Option)
When your engine is not
running, but
the ignition is
on (in the “Run” position),
the gage shows your
battery’s state of charge
in
DC volts. When the engine
is running, the gage shows
the condition of the
charging system. Readings
between the red warning
zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in either red
warning zone indicate a possible problem in the electrical
system. Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
Brake System Warning Light
Your Buick‘s hydraulic
brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For
good braking, though, you
need both parts working
well.
If the warning light
goes on, there could be a
brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
This light will also come on when you set your parking
brake, and will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull
off the road and
stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to -the floor. It may take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. (See “Towing Your Buick” in the Index.)
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