1996 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

Section 9 Index
Air Bag ...................................... I -2 1
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-23
How it Works ................................ 1-22
Location
.................................... 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1-21? 2-49
Servicing
................................... 1-25
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 2-23
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-14
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-64
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-5 I
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-10
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-22
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2-53. 4.8
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-5 1. 4.6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Appearancecare
............................... 6-46
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-54
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-6
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-39
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-42 Audio
Equipment. Adding
......................... 3-9
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-4
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-17
Automatic Transaxle Check
....................... 7-38
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-17
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-16
Shifting
..................................... 2-16
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-40
Battery
...................................... 6.3 2
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Warning Light
............................... 2-50
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-6
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
Brake Replacement.
Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-6
Adjustment
.................................. 6-31
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-19
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-50
9-1
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Trailer ...................................... 4-33
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-23
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 4-8
Break.In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 10
BTSI
......................................... 2-23
BTSICheck
................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-4
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-6 1
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2.24.4.27. 4.33
Cargo Security Cover
............................ 2-40
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
............................. 3-6
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 3-9
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-27
Certification Label
.............................. 4-28
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-33
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-45
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-46
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in the Center Seat Position
.............. 1-36
Changing a
Flat Tire
.. t. .......................... 5-24
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in
the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-38
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
WheretoPut
................................ 1-33 Cigarette
Lighter
............................... 2-42
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning
...................................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-51
Fabric
...................................... 6-47
Glass
....................................... 6-49
Inside
of Your Buick .......................... 6-46
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-49
Leather
..................................... 6-49
Outside
of Your Buick ......................... 6-50
Special Problems
............................. 6-48
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl ....................................... 6-48
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-50
Climate Control System ........................... 3-1
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-4
Coinholder
.................................... 2-39
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-37
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-40
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-38
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-21
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-14
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-16
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-35
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
Cover. Cargo Security ........................... 2-40
Cooling System
................................ 5-15
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Cruise Control .................................. 2-30
Cupholders
.................................... 2-39
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- 1
Damage. Finish ............................... 6-52
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-52
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-34
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-7
Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-3
Defogging
..................................... 3-2
Defrosting
..................................... 3-2
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Door
Drive Position. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 18
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 13
Driving
City
....................................... 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-35
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone Users
......... 8-3
Locks
....................................... 2-3 OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-25
Wet Roads
.................................. 4-16
Winter ...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Electrical Equipment. Adding
................ 3-9. 6-56
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine 6-8. 6-9
Engine
Coolant
..................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-14
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Exhaust
..................................... 2-24
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Running While Parked ......................... 2-24
Specifications
................................ 6-63
Starting Your
........................... 2- 12. 2-13
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking
................................... 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Engine
Oil Pressure Light ........................ 2-57
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Through Deep Standing
Water
................... 4-18
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 2-53
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-24
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Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-47
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-14
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6- 14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-5 1
Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 19
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-34
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn and Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement
...... 6-34
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-59
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-59
GAWR
....................................... 4-28
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 16
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-28
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-28
Guide en Franpis
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-28 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps .................................... 2-33
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-33
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-28
Onwarning
................................. 2-34
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-2
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-28
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn
......................................... 2-26
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2. 1 0
Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-39
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-37
Inspections
.................................... 7-41
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
9-4
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Instrument Panel ............................... 2-44
Brightness Control
............................ 2-34
Cleaning
.................................... 6-49
Cluster
..................................... 2-46
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-34
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-25
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels
....................................... 4-28
Certification
................................. 4-28
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-33
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Interior Lamp Delay
........................... 2-35
Onwarning
................................. 2-34
Underhood
.................................. 6-10
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Liftgate Ajar Light .............................. 2-58
LiftgateLock
................................... 2-8
Lighter
....................................... 2-42
Lights Courtesy
.................................... 2-35
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-22
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-2 1 . 2-49
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-53. 4.8
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ............ 2-5 1. 4-6
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 2-53
Battery Warning .............................. 2-50
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-50
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-57
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Liftgate Ajar
................................. 2-58
Safety Belt Warning
............................ 1-8
Safety Belt Warning ........................... 2-49
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-54
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Automatic Door
............................... 2-4
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Door
........................................ 2-3
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Liftgate
...................................... 2-8
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-40
Trunk
....................................... 2-7
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-38
Luggage Carrier
................................ 2-42
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-64
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-44
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Trip/Highway Definition
.............. 7-6. 7-27
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
................ 7-6. 7-27
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-42
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
. 9-5
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Short TripKity Definition ................... 7.5, 7.7
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7.5. 7.7
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-54
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1 - 1
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-37
MapLamp
.................................... 2-36
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-37
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-37
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-37
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-38
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-43
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-27
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2- 17
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- 10
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-48
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-48
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 17
Overheating Engine ............................. 5 - 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-16
Shifting Into ................................. 2-20
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-23
AtNight
..................................... 2-9
Brake
...................................... 2-19
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
........................................ 2-9
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-23
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passing
....................................... 4-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-41
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-38
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Seatback Recliner
.............................. 1-2
Steering
..................................... 4-8
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-25
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-25
Problems on
the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-9
Parking
Radiator
..................................... 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-25
Radio Reception
................................. 3-8
Radios ........................................ 3-5
Rain. Driving In ................................ 4-16
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-35. 2.36
9-6
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Rear Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-28
Seat Passengers
.............................. 1-28
Storage Compartment
......................... 2-39
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Window Defogger
............................. 3-3
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-37
Inside Daymight ............................. 2-37
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-2
Recovery Tank. Coolant
.......................... 5- 16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-64
Remote
Keyless Entry
................................. 2-4
Trunk Release
................................. 2-7
Replacement
Bulbs
...................................... 6-60
Parts
....................................... 6-64
Wheel
...................................... 6-44
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-7
Restraints Child
....................................... 1-33
Checking
................................... 1-46
Head
........................................ 1-4
Replacing Parts
After a Crash ................... 1-46
Systemcheck
................................ 7-38
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2- 17
Right Front Passenger Position .................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-4
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-4
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-39
Rotation, Tires
................................. 6-40 Safety
Belts
................................... 1-8
Automatic Ldp-Shoulder
....................... 1-14
Care
....................................... 6-49
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-27
Children
.................................... 1-31
Driver Position ............................... 1-13
Extender .................................... 1-46
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1-13
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 17, 1-44, 1-45
LapBelt .................................... 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-43
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-28
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-28
Replacing After
a Crash ........................ 1-46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-31
Station Wagon Third Seat Passenger Position
....... 1-27
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-25
Warning Light
........................... 1-8, 2-49
WhyTheyWork ............................... 1-9
Safety Chains .................................. 4-33
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-7
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... viii
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-3
Seatback Power Recliner
................................ 1-2
Reclining Front
............................... 1-2
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Lap-Shoulder
................................ 1-29
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Seats Folding Rear
.................................. 1-4
Folding Second Seat
............................ 1-4
Folding Third Seat
............................. 1-5
ManualFront ................................. 1-1
Power ....................................... 1-2
Restraint Systems
.............................. I - 1
Seat Controls ................................. 1 . 1
Securing a Child Restraint ...................... 1-33
Second Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................. 2- 18
Service
........................................ 6-1
Bulletins. Ordering
............................. 8-9
EngineSoonLight ............................ 2-54
Manuals. Ordering
............................. 8-9
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-55
Publications. Ordering
.......................... 8-9
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6- 1
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6- 1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick ............ 1-25
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-52
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-16
Shifting
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2- 16
IntoPark
.................................... 2-20
OutofPark
.................................. 2-23
Shock Absorbers. Superlift
....................... 6-2 1
SignalingTurns ................................ 2-27
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Spare Tire. Compact
............................. 5-37
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-6 1
Sound Equipment. Adding ......................... 3-9 Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-63
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-3
Speedometer
................................... 2-48
SRS
......................................... 1-21
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-48
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-39
Starting Your Engine
....................... 2- 12. 2- 13
Steam
........................................ 5-13
Steering
....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-40
In Emergencies ............................... 4-10
Power
....................................... 4-8
Tips
......................................... 4-9
Wheel.
Tilt .................................. 2-26
Storage Areas
.................................. 2-38
Storage Compartment. Rear
....................... 2-39
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-32
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-38
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-43
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-21
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. x
System Controls. Climate Control System ............. 3-1
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-36
TapePlayerCare
................................ 3-9
Theft
.......................................... 2-9
Thermostat
.................................... 6-25
Third Gear Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-18
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-26
Time. Setting the
................................ 3-4
Tire-Loading Information
Label ................... 4-28
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