1996 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

TrunkLiftgate Trunk Lock
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A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate,
liftglass or trunk lid open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate, liftglass or
trunk lid open or
if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal between
the body and the liftgate, liftglass or trunk lid:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on
NORM or VENT. That will force outside
air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
To unlock the trunk from
the outside, insert the door
key and turn it clockwise.
Remote Trunk or Liftgate Release
You’ll find the release
button in the glove box.
The trunk will unlock
anytime the ignition is on
or
off. If you have the
wagon, the liftgate wi1.l
unlock when the ignition is
on, and the transaxle is in
PARK (P).
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Wagon Liftgate &Beration
The liftgate on your wagon has a liftglass and a liftgate.
NOTICE: __~__ ~~
Be sure there are no overhead obstructions
before
you open the liftgate. You could slam the
liftgate into something and break the glass.
Turn the key to the right to unlatch the liftgate, then
pull up on the bottom of the liftgate. To close, pull
down
on the handle inside the liftgate, then firmly shut
the liftgate.
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Turn the key to the left to release the liftgate glass.
Then, pull the glass up by the handle.
To close, lower
the glass until the latch catches.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Buick and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with
you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
@ Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
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’ New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index
for more
information.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can
turn the switch
to five positions.
C
ACCESSORY (A): Position in which you can operate
your radio or windshield wipers. Press in the ignition
switch as you turn the top
of it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position in which you can
remove the key.
This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle.
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OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition, and
transaxle, but does not send electrical power
to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed
or towed, but never try to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door when the ignition is off and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return
to RUN
for normal driving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is all the way in.
If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
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Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Buick is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 2.2 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding it there
as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
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NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Starting Your 3.1 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for up
to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
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NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of
this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’ in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0” F (-‘18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
I
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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