1998 BUICK CENTURY tow

yellowblue
2-36
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse and check for burned
-out
bulbs. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
Turn Signal Reminder
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile,
a chime will sound. To turn off the chime, move the turn
signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the turn signal lever toward you until you
hear a click. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel will also
be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you a little,
but not so far that you hear a click.
Your high
-beam headlamps will stay on as long as you
hold the lever toward you. The high
-beam indicator on
the dash will also come on. Release the lever to turn the
high
-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers

yellowblue
2-41

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Interior Courtesy Lamps
Pull the knob toward you to the first setting to turn on
the parking lamps and other operating lamps without the
headlamps. Pull the knob toward you to the second
setting to turn on the headlamps as well as the other
operating lamps.
Turn the knob from left to right to control brightness of
the instrument panel lights.
Lamps On Reminder
If the headlamp switch is left on, you'll hear a warning
chime when you turn the ignition off, remove the key
from the ignition and open the driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:

the ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will turn off and your low
-beam and parking
lamps will become active. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on. When it's bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your
high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.

yellowblue
2-42
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lamps at night when you are in
PARK (P), turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control, located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch, all the way toward AUTO MIN. When
released, the spring control will return to the twilight
sentinel minimum delay position, and all exterior lamps
will turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps (Option)
The cornering lamps are designed to come on when you
signal a turn. This will provide more light for cornering
at night.
Twilight Sentinel

Twilight sentinel turns your headlamps, taillamps and
parking lamps on and off by sensing how dark it is
outside. The control is located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch.To operate this feature, leave the headlamp switch off.
The vehicle's twilight sentinel is always enabled.
Twenty
-three seconds after entering a darkened
environment, the headlamps and parking lamps will turn
on. If the ignition is turned on at night, the exterior
lamps will come on.
To turn off all exterior lamps at night when you are in
PARK (P), turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control, located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch, all the way toward AUTO MIN. When
released, the spring control will return to the twilight
sentinel minimum delay position, and all exterior lamps
will turn off.
If you move the control all the way to AUTO MAX,
your lamps will remain on for three minutes after you
turn off your engine. If you move the control toward
AUTO MIN, the lamps will go off quickly when you
turn off your engine. You can set this delay time for only
a few seconds or up to three minutes.
Light Sensor
Your twilight sentinel and daytime running lamps work
with the light sensor on top of the instrument panel.
Don't cover it up. If you do, it will read ªdarkº and the
headlamps will come on.

yellowblue
2-46
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lights
behind you. Pull the tab toward you for night use; push
it away from you for daytime use.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
(Option)
Your vehicle may have an automatic electrochromic
day/night rearview mirror.
When this feature is turned on, the mirror automatically
changes to reduce glare from headlamps behind you. A
photocell on the mirror senses when it is becoming dark
outside. Another photocell built into the mirror face
senses when headlamps are behind you.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare (this change may take a
few seconds). The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the glare is reduced.

yellowblue
2-47
Mirror Operation
To turn on the automatic dimming feature, press
AUTO. To turn off automatic dimming, press OFF.
The green indicator light will be illuminated when this
feature is active.
Time Delay
The automatic mirror has a time delay feature which
prevents unnecessary switching from the night back to
the day position. This delay prevents rapid changing of
the mirror as you drive under lights and through traffic.
Cleaning the Photocells
Use a cotton swab and glass cleaner to clean the
photocells when necessary.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
with Compass (Option)
Your vehicle may have an electrochromic inside
rearview mirror with a compass.
When set in the MIRROR position, this mirror
automatically changes to reduce glare from headlamps
behind you. A time delay feature prevents rapid
changing from the day to night positions while driving
under lights and through traffic.
The mirror also includes an eight
-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face. When on,
the compass automatically calibrates as the vehicle
is driven.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray glass
cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause the liquid
cleaner to enter the mirror housing. Use a cotton swab and
glass cleaner to clean the photocells when necessary.

yellowblue
2-57 Convenience Net
Your vehicle has a convenience net. You'll see it just
inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops. For heavier loads, store them in
the trunk as far forward as you can.
There are six retainers to secure the convenience net,
allowing two different placements for the net. You can
unhook the net so that it will lie flat when you're not
using it. When reinstalling the net, make sure the label
points toward the upper retainer.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
NOTICE:
Don't put papers or other flammable things into
your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them, causing a
damaging fire.
Front Ashtray
The front ashtray is behind a panel above the compact
disc storage area. Press on the panel door to reveal the
ashtray and cigarette lighter.
The front center ashtray may be lifted out for cleaning.
Press the tabs on each side of the ashtray and pull up to
remove. It snaps back into place.
Rear Ashtray
To remove the rear ashtray for cleaning, open the lid and
ease the ashtray upward until the edge can be grasped to
pull the ashtray up and out.
Cigarette Lighter
To use the cigarette lighter, push it all the way in and let
it go. When it is hot, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
If you hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating, it won't be able to back away
from the heating element when it's ready. This
can make it overheat, damaging the lighter and
the heating element.

yellowblue
2-70 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
START. If it doesn't come
on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if
there's a problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light and chime stay on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.

yellowblue
2-75
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.