1996 BUICK CENTURY brake

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to
fully apply your regular brake to shift from
PARK (P) when
the ignition is in the RUN position.
See “Automatic Transaxle Operation” in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear
you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out
of
PARK (P), try this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the key to OFF.
Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
Have the vehicle fixed as soon
as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
A-
I
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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-
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) 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’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on
a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
With power windows, switches on the driver’s armrest
control each of the windows when the ignition is on. In
addition, each passenger door has a control switch for its
own window.
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The rear window
washedwiper switch is at
the center of the instrument
panel. Press the top
of the
switch labeled
WASH and
the rear wiper will run at a
constant speed.
Press the switch further and hold
to spray washer fluid
while
the wiper continues to run. The wiper will
continue to run until you press the
OFF switch.
The rear window washer fluid reservoir is the same
reservoir as the windshield washer reservoir.
Cruise Control (Option)
With cruise control,
you can maintain
a
speed of about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more
without keeping
your
foot on the accelerator.
This can really help on
long trips. Cruise
control does not work
at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts
off.
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Resuming a Set Speed Increasing Speed While U
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But
you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) for about half
a second.
You’ll go right back up
to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at R/A longer than half a second,
the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
switch or apply the brake. You could be startled and
even lose control.
So unless you want to go faster, don’t
hold the switch at
WA.
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speea.
Push the
SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll
now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to WA. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed
you want, and
then release the switch.
(To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch
to R/A for
less than half a second and then release it. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go
1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pushing the SET button.
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
0 Push in the SET button at the end of the lever until
you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
0 To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button for less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down
to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be
too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; or
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Lamps
..
li
LtOWtS
0 Headlamps
0 Parking Lamps
0 Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
0 License Plate Lamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
To turn on the headlamps, press the switch with the
lamp symbol.
Press
the switch marked P to turn on the parking lamps.
Press
OFF to turn off all lamps.
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Headlamps on Warning
If you open the door while leaving the lamps on, you
will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (Option)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor in the instrument panel cluster makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when:
the ignition is on,
the headlamp switch is off, and
the parking brake is released.
When the
DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be
on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your headlamps will
come on to full brightness. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also come on. When
it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go off, and your low-beam headlamps will come
on at a
reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the 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.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when
you need it.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
., . I. .
1.r
LOW
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel lights by
rotating the control up or
down.
To turn on the
interior courtesy lamps,
rotate the control all the way
up to HI.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
Lamp Controls
Instrument Panel Brightness
Vents Control
Instrument Panel Cluster and Indicator Lamps
Audio System
Map Reading Lamps
G. Rear Window Defogger Switch
H. Glove Box
I. Wipermasher Rear Window (Wagon Only)
J. Climate Controls
K. Parking Brake Release
L. Hood Release
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Instrument Panel Cluster
LOW
TRACTION
AIR
BAG
TAILGATE
AJAR
YY
e 20
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY 1 0
P R N[DI32 1
MPH
:i
BRAKE
TEMPERATURE
APPLY BRAKE
TO SHIFT FROM PARK
ANTI -
LOCK
LOW
OIL
Domestic
Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast
you're going,
how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
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