1999 BUICK CENTURY steering wheel

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Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.

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5-20
10. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

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If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
the Enhanced Traction System off. (See ªEnhanced
Traction Systemº in the Index. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the
wheels as little as possible. REVERSE (R) and FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) gear. The Enhanced Traction System will
be turned off in FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) gear. Spin the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that
doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be
towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-21 Engine Coolant
6
-24 Power Steering Fluid
6
-26 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-27 Brakes
6
-30 Battery
6
-31 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Tires6
-50 Appearance Care
6
-50 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-53 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-53 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-55 Cleaning Tires
6
-57 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-58 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-58 Electrical System
6
-64 Replacement Bulbs
6
-64 Capacities and Specifications
6
-65 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-65 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
6
-65 Vehicle Dimensions

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Fuse Description
24 Stoplamps
26 Parking Lamps
27 Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)
-- Hot in ACC and Run
28 Crank Signal
-- Body Control Module,
Cluster, Powertrain Control Modules
29 Ignition Signal
-- HVAC Control Head
30 Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI)
31 Air Bag
32 Body Control Module
33 Hazard Flashers
34 Not UsedFuse Description
36 Ignition Signal
-- Hot in ACC and
Run
-- Body Control Module
38 Low Blower
39 Anti
-Lock Brakes
40 Turn Signals
41 Radio, HVAC Head, Remote Keyless
Entry, Cluster
42 High Blower
43 Not Used
44 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
45 Wipers

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Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger's Side
Some fuses and relays are located in the underhood
electrical center on the passenger's side of the
engine compartment.Fuse Description
1 ABS
2 Starter Solenoid
3 Power Seats, Rear Defog
4 High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror, Door Locks
5 Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps,
ABS, Turn Signals, Cluster, Air Bag,
DRL Module
6 Cooling Fan
7 Interior Lamps, Retained Accessory
Power, Keyless Entry, Data Link, HVAC
Head, Cluster, Radio, AUX Power
(Power Drop), Cigarette Lighter
8 Ignition Switch, Wipers, Radio, Steering
Wheel Controls, Body Control Module,
AUX Power (Power Drop), Power
Windows, Sunroof, HVAC Controls,
DRL, Rear Defog Relay

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Section 9 Index
A
dding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle 6-3 . . . . .
Air Bag
How Does it Restrain 1
-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How it Works 1-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location 1-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Readiness Light 1-21, 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System 1-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Makes it Inflate 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Will You See After it Inflates 1-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Should it Inflate 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning 3-3, 3-6, 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alarm, Instant 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control 3-21 . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . .
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna
Backglass 3
-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diversity 3-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed Mast 3-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antifreeze 6
-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light 2-53, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Theft, Radio 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care Materials 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arbitration Program 8-3, 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest, Front Storage 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest, Rear Storage 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtrays 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Astroroof 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Controls, Steering Wheel Touch Control 3-29 . . . . . . .
Audio Equipment, Adding 3-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems, Tips 3-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto-Down Window 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic
Headlamp Control 2
-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overdrive (
)2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Door Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Check 7-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Operation 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check 7-17 . . . . . . . . . . .

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Service 6-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulletins, Ordering 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Soon Light 2-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manuals, Ordering 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts Identification Label 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Ordering 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work, Doing Your Own 6-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service and Appearance Care 6-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Vehicle Soon Light 2-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . .
Sheet Metal Damage 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Lever 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting
Automatic Transaxle 2
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Into Park 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Out of Park 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signaling Turns 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six-Way Power Seat 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skidding 4-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sound Equipment, Adding 3-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare Tire, Compact 5-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications and Capacities 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications, Engine 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains, Cleaning 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starter Switch Check 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your V6 Engine 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steam 5-10, 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steering
in Emergencies 4
-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magnetic Variable Effort4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TILT-WHEEL2-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Wheel Touch Controls, Audio 3-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage Compartments 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage, Vehicle 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow 5-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sun Visors 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Symbols, Vehicle v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-36 . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature Control 3-2, 3-5, 3-7, 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft 2-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent Feature 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft-Deterrent System 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THEFTLOCK
3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TILT-WHEEL Adjustable Steering Column 2-32 . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information Label 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .