1996 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

Never do this.
Here
a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part
is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would ‘then be applied right
on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug
on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should
use it. The front seat lap-shoulder belts have
plenty of extra length built in,
so they will fit almost
all people.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt warning light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If
you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even
if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in
this section.
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Here you can learn about the many standard and
optional features on your Buick, and information
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.
*
Keys
I
A CAUTION:
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows
or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in
a vehicle with young children.
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The ignition keys are
-1 The door keys are for the When a new Century
is delivered, the dealer removes the
plugs from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
Each plug has a code
on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs in a safe place.
If you lose your keys, you'll be
able to have new ones made easily using these plugs.
1 I'NOTICE:
Your Buick has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have
a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.
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Door Locks
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle. There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key or Remote Keyless
Entry transmitter,
if your vehicle has this option.
From the inside,
to lock the
door, slide the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the
lock control forward.

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Power Door Locks
Press the power door lock
switch on either front door
to lock
or unlock all the
doms atmce.
Automatic Door Locks
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. All of the
doors will automatically lock when you move your shift
lever out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If someone
needs to get out while the vehicle is running, have that
person use the manual or power lock. When
the door is
closed again, it will lock automatically if the transaxle is
in gear. All doors will automatically unlock when
you
turn the ignition off.
If you don’t want the doors to automatically unlock
when the key is turned
OFF, you can remove the
UNLOCK fuse located in the glove box. See “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index for more information.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Remote Keyless Entry System
(Option)
If your Buick has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors
or unlock your trunk from up to 30 feet (9 m)
away using the key chain transmitter supplied with
your vehicle.
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Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions on battery replacement.
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
blocking the signal.
for service.
0 Check the distance. You may be too far from your
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
0 See your Buick dealer or a qualified technician
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Your Remote Keyless Entry System operates
on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
( 1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
lperat
fhe drwer’s door will unlock and the interior lamps will
go on when UNLOCK is pressed. If pressed again
within five seconds, all doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will go
out after 40 seconds or when you turn on
the ignition.
All doors will lock when DOOR is pressed.
Press the opened trunk symbol
to unlock the trunk or
wagon liftgate. The transaxle must be in
PARK (P). If
you have the wagon, the ignition must also be OFF.
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Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter. is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter
is lost or stolen,
a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When
the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your
vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be
matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost
transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle
can have
only two transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the batteries in your key chain
transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the batteries are weak if the transmitter
won’t work at the normal range
in any location. If you
have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter
works, it’s probably time
to change the batteries.
For battery replacement, use two Duracella batteries,
I-
To replace batteries:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime (or
2.
3.
4.
5.
similar object) in a slot between the covers and twist.
Lift
off the front cover, bottom half first.
Remove and replace the batteries. Reassemble the transmitter. Make sure the cover
is on tightly,
so water won’t get in and snap the
cover together.
Check the transmitter operation.
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