1999 BUICK CENTURY ECU

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2-16
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. If the starter still won't work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the
Index). If the starter won't work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS
-Key II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won't work. The
SECURITY light will then come on. But you don't have
to wait three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS
-Key II to have a new key made.
If you're ever driving and SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it off.
Your PASS
-Key II system, however, is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS
-Key II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS
-Key II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key II
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the Buick
Premium Roadside Assistance Center at
1
-800-252-1112. In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.

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2-62 Change Oil Soon Light
The CHANGE OIL SOON
light should come on briefly
as a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the
light doesn't come on, have
it serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on and stays
on after you start the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information, see ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index. To reset the Oil Life Monitor, see
ªEngine Oil Life Monitorº in the Index.
Security Light
The SECURITY light will
come on when you turn the
key to START and stay on
until the vehicle starts.It will also flash if your ignition key is too dirty or wet
for the PASS
-Key
II system to read the resistor pellet.
See ªPASS
-Key IIº in the Index.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will
come on.
If you're ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it
off. Your PASS
-Key II system, however, is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS
-Key II system.
Cruise Light
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control. See ªCruise
Controlº in the Index.

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3-27
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse
between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
1. Write down any three or four
-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.8. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM
-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure.
Unlocking the Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display.
2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
4. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.

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3-28
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will appear
on the display. You will have to wait an hour with the
ignition on before you can try again. When you try again,
you will only have three more chances (eight tries per
chance) to enter the correct code before INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.
Disabling the Theft
-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show
---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won't turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
To unlock a secured radio see ªUnlocking the
Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a Power Lossº earlier in
this section.

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4-25
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.

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4-31
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages or anything else
-- they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.

Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

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4-36
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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5-8
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to tow a
vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel
-lift or
car
-carrier equipment. Additional ramping may be required
for car
-carrier equipment. Don't have your vehicle towed on
the drive wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must be
towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle more than
500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the drive wheels
have to be supported on a dolly.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.