1996 BUICK CENTURY lock

Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the key
to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
lever is in PARK (P).
A C A UTION:
-
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move.
You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this until
the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
Shift to PARK (P). Then release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-39
ProCarManuals.com

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine,
see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
~~
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL
TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming to GM
Specification 6277M.
See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake System
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
Delco Supreme 11
@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 1052535 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
1050017
- 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
(GM
Part
NO. 1052884 - 1 Pt.,
7-41
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-2
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-8
ProCarManuals.com