1996 BUICK CENTURY lock

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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Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps go on. These
lamps are under the instrument panel. They make it
easy for you to enter and leave the vehicle. You also
can turn these lamps on by rotating the interior lamps
switch
to HI.
Interir -- amps Delay
Front Seat Reading Lamps
When you purl on the driver's outside door handle, the
dome and courtesy lamps will
go on and stay on for
about
40 seconds, or until you turn the ignition on.
If you pull on the driver's inside door handle within
30 seconds of switching off the ignition, the interior
lamps will go on and stay on for about five seconds,
to
allow you to unlock your door(s).
Press the switch
to turn the front seat reading lamps on
or
off.
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Power Remote Control Mirror (Option)
Both the driver’s and optional passenger’s side outside
mirrors can be adjusted with the control lever on the
driver’s door.
Turn the knob left or right
to select the driver’s or
passenger’s mirror. Rotate the knob to adjust the mirror.
Adjust each mirror
so that you can just see the side of
your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle when
you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface
is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
1 A CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box. To
open, pinch the latch release.
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Storage Armrest Rear Locking Storage Compartment
(Wagon)
Use your door key to unlock the storage bin on the
driver’s side near the liftgate.
The front armrest opens into
a storage area.
To open it,
lift the lever at the front edge. Inside is a coinholder, slots
to hold cassettes or
CDs and a dual cupholder. To use the
cupholder, flip it forward and close the armrest cover.
The cupholder can be removed
for cleaning. Flip
the cupholder into
the armrest storage area. Squeeze
the arms inward to release
the retainer pins. Remove
the cupholder.
The armrest can be raised so that a passenger can sit in
the center position.
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1 NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes
or other smoking
materials could set them on fire, causing damage.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating.
If you do, it won’t be able to
back
away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swmg down the visors. You
can also move them from side
to side.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror (Option)
If your vehicle has the optional lighted vanity mirror, the
lamps come
on when you open the cover. Close the
cover to turn out the lamps.
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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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Battery Light
I-+I
The battery warning light is
designed to come on briefly
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as
a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while
you
are driving, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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 comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right
away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If
it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.
If the light comes on while you
are 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, or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have the
vehicle towed for service.
(See “Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light” and ‘Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)
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A CAUTION:
--
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light
is flashing
after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
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 parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have
a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
Domestic
~~
Canadian
With the anti-lock brake system, one of these lights will
come on when you start your engine and will stay
on for
three seconds. That’s normal.
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