1997 BUICK CENTURY light

The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is below
40°F
(4°C). (Even when the compressor is running, you
can control the temperature.)
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For a quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX with
the temperature knobs all the way in the blue area. If
this setting is used for long periods of time, the air
in
your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on
hot days, use NORM with the
temperature knobs in the blue area. The system will
bring in outside air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the
sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can
use BI-LEV and set the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting. The system will bring in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body.
You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than others.
Heating
On cold days, use HTR with the temperature knobs all
the way
in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat it and send
it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can
use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside (0°F
(- 1 SOC) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in
the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use
VENT to direct outside air through
your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the flow-through
ventilation system described later in this section.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front
and side windows. To defrost
the windows quickly,
use
FRONT.
For maximum defroster performance, set both driver and
passenger temperature controls to the warmest setting.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows clear,
use
BLEND.
ProCarManuals.com

Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control (If Equipped)
With this system, you set a temperature. You can then
either let the system automatically control airflow
direction and force it to maintain the temperature, or you
can manually adjust
it. The system works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Automatic Control
For the most efficient operation, you should set the
system temperature and press
AUTO. The system will
select the best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you
comfortable. The air conditioning compressor will run if
the outside temperature is above
40°F (4°C). You may
notice a delay of two to three minutes before the fan
comes on at start up in cool weather.
Driver’s Temperature Control
The TEMP switch sets the temperature for the entire
system when the light on the
DUAL button isn’t lit. If
the light is lit, this control sets the temperature for the
driver only. Press the up arrow to raise the temperature
and press the down arrow to lower the temperature. The
display will show your selection for a few seconds, then
the outside temperature will show.
If you push the
AUTO button,
the system will control the fan speed
and airflow.
3-7
ProCarManuals.com

Passenger’s Temperature Control
The PASSENGER CONTROL buttons with the arrows
adjust the temperature on the passenger’s side
so it is
warmer or cooler than
the temperature set by the driver.
Push the
DUAL button so the indicator light on it is lit.
Press the right arrow button to raise the temperature.
Press the left arrow button to lower the temperature. The
display will not show the passenger’s side temperature,
only that of the driver. Indicators in the passenger
control section will show passenger temperature relative
to the driver’s set temperature.
0 The amber light indicates the same temperature as
set for the driver.
0 The red lights indicate a warmer temperature than
that of the driver.
0 The blue lights indicate a cooler temperature than
that of the driver.
Manual Control
If you prefer to manually control the heating, cooling
and ventilation
in your vehicle, you can select airflow
direction, fan speed, outside or recirculated air and air
compressor operation with the following buttons:
AIR FLOW: This control has several settings to
control the direction of aifflow when the system is not
in AUTO.
To access the various modes available, continue to press
the following four
AIR FLOW up and down arrows
until the desired mode appears in the display:
0
0
0
0
WINDSHIELD/FLOOR: This setting directs half
of the air to the floor ducts and half to the defroster
and side window vents.
MID/FLOOR: This setting directs half of the air
through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the
remaining air
is directed through the floor ducts and
a little
to the defroster and side window vents.
MID: This setting directs air through the instrument
panel outlets.
FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air through
the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the
defroster and side window vents.
3-8
ProCarManuals.com

FRONT This setting brings in outside air and
directs most of
the air through the defrost vent. Some
of the air also goes
to the floor ducts and the side
window defogger outlets. The indicator on the button
will light and WINDSHIELD will be lit in the display.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is below
40°F (4°C).
VENT This pushbutton turns the air conditioning
compressor
on and off. The indicator lights when
the compressor is turned
off. Recirculation is not
permitted when
the compressor is off. The system
will try
to control the temperature automatically, but
without the compressor.
RECIRC: This setting recirculates much of the
air inside your vehicle. This setting is not permitted
in FRONT defrost mode and is only permitted in
WINDSHIELD/FLOOR mode if the compressor is
turned on. The indicator light will be
lit when
Recirculation is engaged, but will light for
one second
and then turn off if selected when not permitted.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For a quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area. If this
setting
is used for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use NORM with the
temperature knob
in the blue area. The system will bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may
not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEV and set the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting. The system will bring
in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air
to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more
at some times than others.
3-9
ProCarManuals.com

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations.
You can set up to
18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six
FM2). Just:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the radio on.
Press the AM-FM button to select the band.
Tune in the desired station.
Press and hold
one of the six numbered buttons. The
sound will mute. When it returns, release the button.
Whenever you press that numbered button, the
station you set will return.
Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
P SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your
preset stations for a few sec0nd.s. The radio will go
to
the first preset station, stop for a few seconds, then go
on to the next preset station. Press
P SCAN again to stop
scanning. The radio will not stop at a preset station if the
station
is weak.
Setting the Tone
BASS:
Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob
to increase or decrease bass.
TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to increase or decrease treble. If a station is weak
or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL:
Turn the control behind the upper knob to move
the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
FADE: Turn the control behind the lower knob to move
the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
3-14
ProCarManuals.com

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to
18 stations (six AM, six FM 1 and six FM2). Just:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM-FM to select the band.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons. The
sound will mute. When it returns, release the button.
Whenever you press that numbered button, the
station
you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
P SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your
preset stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to
the first preset station, stop for a few seconds, then
go
on to the next preset station. Press P SCAN again to stop
scanning. The radio will
not stop at a preset if the station
is weak.
Setting the Tone
BASS:
Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob
to increase or decrease bass.
TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to increase or decrease treble. If a station is weak
or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL: Turn the control behind the upper knob to move
the sound
to the left or right speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
FADE: Turn the control behind the lower knob to move
the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
Playing a Cassette Tape
The longer side with the tape visible should face to the
right. If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be
inserted and will begin playing. If
you hear nothing or
hear a garbled sound,
the tape may not be in squarely.
Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over.
3-16
ProCarManuals.com

AUTO SET Press this button and the system will seek
and
set the 12 strongest FM or the 6 strongest AM
stations on your preset buttons (depending
on which
band (AM or FM) you are listening to). AUTO SET will
flash while seeking and will remain on until this
function is complete. To return
to the stations you
manually set, press AUTO SET again.
Setting the Tone
BASS:
Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob
to increase or decrease bass.
TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to increase or decrease treble. If a station is weak
or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
TONE: This feature allows you to choose preset bass
and treble equalization settings designed for classical,
pop, rock, jazz, talk and country/western stations.
CLASS will appear on the display when you first press
TONE. Each time you press it, another setting will
appear
on the display. Press it again after C & W
appears and MANUAL will appear. Tone control will
return to the BASS and TREB knobs. Also, if you use
the
BASS and TREB knobs, control will return to them
and MANUAL will appear.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL:
Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to move
the sound to the left or right speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
Playing a Cassette Tape
The longer side with the tape visible should face to the
right.
If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be
inserted and will begin playing. If
you hear nothing or
hear a garbled sound, the tape may not be in squarely.
Press EJECT
to remove the tape and start over.
While the tape is playing, use
the VOLUME, FADE,
BAL, BASS and TREB controls just as you do for the
radio. Other controls may have different functions when
a tape
is inserted. The display will show an arrow to
show which side of the tape is playing.
3-20
ProCarManuals.com

AUTO SET Press this button and the system will seek
and set the
12 strongest FM or the 6 strongest AM
stations on your preset buttons (depending on which
band (AM
or FM) you are listening to). AUTO SET will
flash while seeking and will remain on until this
function is complete. To return to the stations you
manually set, press AUTO
SET again.
Setting the Tone
BASS:
Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to increase or decrease bass.
TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob to increase or decrease treble.
If a station is weak
or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
TONE: This feature allows you to choose preset bass
and treble equalization settings designed for classical,
pop, rock, jazz, talk and countqdwestern stations.
CLASS will appear on the display when you first press
TONE. Each time you press it, another setting will
appear on the display. Press
it again after C & W
appears and MANUAL will appear. Tone control will
return
to the BASS and TREB knobs. Also, if you use
the BASS and TREB knobs, control will return to them
and MANUAL will appear.
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn this
knob to move the sound to the left
or right speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn this
knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers.
The middle position balances the sound between
the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you’re not using them.
Playing a Compact Disc
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull
it in. The disc should begin playing.
If you want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio
is off, first press EJECT or RECALL.
If you’re driving on a very rough road or if it’s very hot,
the disc may not play and an error code may appear on
the display. When things get back to normal, the disc
should play.
If the disc comes out, it could be that:
0 E20: The disc is upside down.
ProCarManuals.com