1999 BUICK CENTURY height

yellowblue
1-13
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you.To move it down, squeeze the release lever and the
shoulder belt guide as shown and move the height
adjuster to the desired position. You can move the
adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt
guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it,
try to move it down without squeezing the release lever
to make sure it has locked into position.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt
is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away
from your face and neck, but not falling off
your shoulder.

yellowblue
1-39
A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a
child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These
forward
-facing restraints are designed to help
protect children who are from 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18 kg) and about 26 to 40 inches
(66 to 102 cm) in height, or up to around four
years of age. One type, a convertible restraint, is
designed to be used either as a rear
-facing infant
seat or a forward
-facing child seat.

yellowblue
6-29 Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make
a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.

yellowblue
6-49
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only SAE Class ªSº type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.

yellowblue
6-65 Engine Specifications
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 191 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 160 @ 5200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the
air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used. If
you're not sure, ask your dealer.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine/Air Cleaner Filter AC Type A1208C . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 10406026 . . . .
Battery AC Type 600 CCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter AC Type PF47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCV Valve AC Type CV892C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Cap AC Type RC27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RKE Batteries Type CR2032 (2) or equivalent . . . .
Spark Plugs
3100 (Code M) V6 AC Type 41
-940 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blade
Type Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length 22 inches (56 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase 109.0 inches (276.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread (Front) 62.0 inches (157.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread (Rear) 61.1 inches (155.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Length 194.6 inches (494.2 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Width 72.7 inches (184.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Height 56.6 inches (143.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue
9-9
Replacement, Bulbs 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Parts 6-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Wheel 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects 8-9, 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraints
Checking 1
-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Parts After a Crash 1-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Check 7-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraints, Child 1-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resynchronization, Remote Keyless Entry 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . .
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle 2- 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Right Front Passenger Position 1-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roadside Assistance 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roadside Assistance, Canadian 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rocking Your Vehicle 5-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotation, Tires 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belts 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adults 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Children 1-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extender 1-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Wear Properly 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Incorrect Usage 1-14, 1-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lap Belt 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lap-Shoulder 1-11, 1-28, 1-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Larger Children 1-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Questions and Answers 1-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Comfort Guides 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions 1
-28 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Seat Passengers 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reminder Light 1-5, 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing After a Crash 1-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Right Front Passenger Position 1-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smaller Children and Babies 1-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use During Pregnancy 1-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why They Work 1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belts, Care 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Defects, Reporting 8-9, 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Warnings and Symbols iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scheduled Maintenance Services 7
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatback
Reclining Front 1
-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seats
Manual Front 1
-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraint Systems 1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Controls 1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing a Child Restraint 1-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six-Way Power 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tw o-Way Manual 1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second Gear, Automatic Transaxle 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security
Feedback 2
-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue
9-10
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .