1997 BUICK CENTURY phone

Section 2 Features and Controls
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.
2-2
2-4
2-9
2- 14
2-15
2-16 2-17
2-17
2- 19
2-20
3-22
2-26
2-27
2-29
2-30
2-30
2-3 1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry TrUnk
Theft
PASS-Key@ I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked 2-32
2-33
2-33
2-34
2-4 1
2-44
2-46
2-49
2-50
2-50
2-5 1.
2-52
2-52
2-53
2-54
2-55 Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Lighter
Sun Visors
Auxiliary Power Connection
Sunroof
Cellular Phone Provisions
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1
ProCarManuals.com

Sunroof (If Equipped)
Your Buick may be ;?quipped with an express-open
sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a one-piece
sunshade. The control switch works
only when the
ignition or
RAP is on. See “Retained Accessory Power”
in the Index. The control switch is located overhead on
the headliner.
To open the sunroof, push the rear of the switch once
and the sunroof will open
to the vent position only. You
will need to open the sunshade by hand. Push the rear
of the switch
a second time and the
sunroof will open the remainder
of the way by itself.
This
is the express-open feature.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the front of the
switch until the sunroof motor stops. The sunshade can
only be closed by hand.
Cellular Phone Provisions (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a wiring harness that
will work with a dealer-installed
GM Hughes@ portable
phone. The phone has integrated features with the radio
and car audio speakers. See your Buick dealer for
more details.
2-52
ProCarManuals.com

To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
0 Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
0 Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio
-- be sure you can
add what you want.
If you can, it’s very
important
to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, Delco radio or other
systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s
systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure
of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player for
50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer.
If this message appears on
the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality,
try a
known good cassette to see
if it is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement
in sound quality, clean
the tape player.
3-35
ProCarManuals.com

Backglass Antenna (If Equipped)
Your AM-FM antenna is integrated with your rear
window defogger, located in the rear window. Be sure
that the inside surface of the rear window is not
scratched and that the lines on the glass are not
damaged.
If the inside surface is damaged, it could
interfere with radio reception.
NOTICE:
Do not try to clear frost or other material from
the inside of the rear window with a razor blade
or anything else that
is sharp. This may damage
the rear defogger grid and affect your radio’s
ability to pick up stations clearly. The repairs
wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Because this antenna is built into your rear window,
there is a reduced risk
of damage caused by car washes
and vandals.
If you choose to add a cellular telephone to your vehicle,
and the antenna needs to be attached to the glass, be sure
that you do not damage the grid lines for the
AM-FM
antenna. There is enough space between the lines to
attach a cellular telephone antenna without interfering
with radio reception.
3-37
ProCarManuals.com

Hydroplaning !
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen
if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning’
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can
if your
tires do not have much tread or
if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen
if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when
it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
“Tires’’ in the Index.)
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
ProCarManuals.com

Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and
how to report any safety defects.
8-2
8-4
8-5
8-7
8-8 Customer
Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Roadside Assistance
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program
Warranty Information 8-8 8-9
8-9
8-9 Reporting Safety Defects
to the United
States Government
Reporting Safety Defects
to the
Canadian Government
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
ProCarManuals.com

For prompt assistance, please have the following
information available
to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
e Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
e Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
e Nature of concern
We encourage you to call us
so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish
to write
Buick, address your inquiry
to:
Buick Motor Division Customer Relations Center
902
E. Hamilton Avenue
Flint,
MI 48550
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 Refer
to your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for addresses
of GM
Overseas offices.
When contacting Buick, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved in the dealership, using
the dealer’s facilities, equipment and personnel. That
is why we suggest
you follow Step One first if you
have a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Buick has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
Buick by dialing:
1 -800-83-BUICK. (TTY users in
Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
8-4
ProCarManuals.com

GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program
This program is available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Canadian owners refer to your Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information booklet for
information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration
Plan (CAMVAP). General Motors reserves the right to
change eligibility limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation in this program.
Both Buick and your Buick dealer are committed
to making sure you
are completely satisfied with
your new vehicle. Our experience has shown that,
if a situation arises where you feel your concern
has not been adequately addressed, the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure described earlier in this
section is very successful.
There may be instances where an impartial third party
can assist in arriving at a solution to a disagreement
regarding vehicle repairs or interpretation
of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. To assist in resolving these
disagreements, Buick voluntarily participates
in BBB
AUTO LINE. BBB AUTO
LINE is an out-of-court program
administered by the Better Business Bureau system to
settle automotive disputes. This program is available
free
of charge to customers who currently own or lease a
GM vehicle.
If you are
not satisfied after following the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure, you may contact the BBB using
the toll-free telephone number, or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203- 1804
Telephone: 1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to provide your name
and address, your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
and a statement of the nature of your complaint.
Eligibility is limited by vehicle age and mileage, and
other factors.
8-7
ProCarManuals.com