2000 BUICK CENTURY Owner's Manual

2-68
Here are four things that some owners ask about. All
these things are normal and do not indicate that anything
is wrong with the fuel gage:

At the gas station, the pump shuts off before the gage
reads FULL (F).

It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it
took more (or less) than half of the tank's capacity
to fill it.

The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.

The gage may not indicate EMPTY (E) when the
ignition is turned off.Low Fuel Light
United States Canada
If your fuel is low, a circular light on your instrument
panel will come on and stay on and a chime will sound
periodically until you add fuel.
It will also come on for a few seconds when you first
turn on the ignition as a check to show you it's working.
If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
3
-4 Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
(If Equipped)
3
-7 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-8 Rear Window Defogger
3
-9 Ventilation System
3
-10 Audio Systems
3
-10 Setting the Clock
3
-10 AM-FM Stereo
3
-12 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
3
-16 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)3
-20 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone
Control (If Equipped)
3
-25 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-28 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-29 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-29 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-30 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-31 Fixed Mast Antenna
3
-31 Backglass Antenna (If Equipped)
3
-32 Diversity Antenna System (If Equipped)

3-2
Comfort Controls
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
With this system, the driver and passenger can maintain
separate temperatures. The system works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Control Knob
The left knob labeled FAN controls the fan
speed selection.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter may need to be
replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº or ªPassenger
Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on the
driver's side outlets independent of the temperature set by
the passenger. Slide the lever up to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever down to lower the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on the
passenger's side independent of the temperature set by
the driver. Slide the lever up to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever down to lower the temperature.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction of airflow. To access the various modes
available, turn the mode knob to the desired mode.
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel
outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40
F (4
C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
VENT: This setting brings in outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.

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BI-LEV: This setting brings in outside air and directs
it two ways. Half of the air is directed through the
instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents.
HTR: This setting sends most of the air through the
ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the defroster
and side window vents.
BLEND: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window
vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40
F (4
C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
DEF: This setting directs most of the air through
the defroster and side window vents. Some of the air
goes to the floor ducts and the side window vents.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is below
40
F (4
C). (Even when the compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle when the A/C light is on.Heating
On cold days, use HTR with the Driver and Passenger
levers all the way in the red area. This system will bring
in outside air, heat it, and send it to the floor ducts.
Heating (Engine Coolant Heater)
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside
-- 0
F (-18
C) or lower. An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to
let hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For a quick cool
-down on very hot days, use MAX
with the temperature lever's all the way in the blue area.
If this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in
your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the
temperature lever's in the blue area. The system will
bring in outside air and cool it.

3-4
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEV and set the temperature levers to a
comfortable setting. The system will bring in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than others.
Push the A/C button on for cooling.
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate
Control (If Equipped)
With this system, you set a temperature. You can
then either let the system automatically control airflow
direction and force to maintain the temperature, or you
can manually adjust it. The system works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.Automatic Control
For the most efficient operation, you should set the
system temperature and press AUTO. The system will
select the best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you
comfortable. The air conditioning compressor will run if
the outside temperature is above 40
F (4
C). You may
notice a delay of two to three minutes before the fan
comes on at start up in cool weather.
Temperature Control
The TEMP switch sets the temperature for the entire
system when the light on the DUAL button isn't lit.
If the DUAL button light is lit, this master temperature
control sets the temperature for the driver only. Press the
up arrow to raise the temperature and press the down
arrow to lower the temperature. The display will show
your selection for a few seconds, then the outside
temperature will be displayed. If you push the AUTO
button, the system will control the fan speed and airflow.
The driver's temperature and passenger's temperature
settings will be automatically maintained even if manual
overrides have been selected except for settings at 60
F
(15
C) and 90
F (32
C).
Setting the temperature to 90
F (32
C) will lock control in
full hot, direct air to the floor, and increase the fan speed to
high. The system will not return to automatic temperature
control until the temperature setting is lowered.

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Setting the temperature to 60
F (15
C) will lock control
in full cold, recirculate interior air, direct air to outlets
on panel and increase blower speed to high. The system
will not return to automatic temperature control until the
temperature setting is raised.
Passenger's Temperature Control
The PASSENGER CONTROL buttons with the arrows
adjust the temperature on the passenger's side so it is
warmer or cooler than the temperature for the driver's
side. Push the DUAL button so that the indicator light is
lit. Press the right arrow button to raise the temperature.
Press the left arrow button to lower the temperature.
The display will not show the passenger's temperature,
only that of the driver. Indicators in the passenger
control section will show passenger's side temperature
relative to the driver's set temperature.

The amber light indicates the same temperature as
set for the driver.

The red lights indicate a warmer temperature than
that of the driver.

The blue lights indicate a cooler temperature than
that of the driver.Hot Weather Example: When you start the vehicle in
hot weather, 80F (27C) or after being parked during
the day in full sun, if your driver set temperature is 75F
(23C) and you are in full automatic mode, the system
will automatically move the temperature to full cold.
The fan will be at low speed momentarily and then go
to the high speed. The air intake will be recirculated for
maximum cooling performance. As the interior of the
vehicle cools down to your desired comfort point, the fan
speed will decrease and the temperature will move to a
warmer position to maintain your desired comfort. As the
interior cools down or the sun load decreases the system
could switch to air delivered to A/C vents and the floor.
Cold Weather Example: When you start the vehicle in
cold weather, (below freezing) or after being parked
overnight. If your Driver Set Temperature is 75F (23C)
and you are in Full Automatic mode, the system will
automatically move the temperature doors to full hot.
The fan will start out at a low speed and will increase to
a higher speed as the engine warms up. The air will be
delivered to the floor. As the interior of the vehicle
warms up to your desired comfort point, the fan speed
will decrease and the temperature will move to a cooler
position to maintain your desired comfort. As the cabin
warms up or the sun load increases the system could
switch to air delivered to the windshield and the floor
(DEFOG mode).

3-6
Manual Control
If you prefer to manually control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle, you can select airflow
direction, fan speed, outside or recirculated air, air
compressor and temperature operation with the
following buttons:
AIR FLOW: This control has several settings to control
the direction of airflow when the system is not in AUTO.
To access the various modes available, continue to press
the AIR FLOW rocker button up or down until the
desired mode appears in the display:

WINDSHIELD/FLOOR: This setting directs half
of the air to the floor ducts and half to the defroster
and side window vents. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this setting
unless the outside temperature is below 40F (4C).

MID/FLOOR: This setting directs half of the air
through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the
remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defroster and side window vents.

MID: This setting directs air through the instrument
panel outlets.
FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air through
the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the
defroster and side window vents. When in this
setting and the RECIRC setting, the windows can
fog up. See ªRECIRCº in the Index.
FRONT: This setting brings in outside air and
directs most of the air through the defrost vent. Some
of the air also goes to the floor ducts and the side
window defogger outlets. The indicator on the button
will light and WINDSHIELD will be lit in the display.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is
below 40F (4C).
VENT: This pushbutton turns the air conditioning
compressor on and off. The indicator is lit when the
compressor is turned off. Recirculation is not permitted
when the compressor is off. The system will try to
control the temperature automatically, but without
the compressor.
VENT is not permitted in FRONT defrost mode. If the
VENT button is pushed while in FRONT defrost mode,
the indicator will light briefly and then turn off.

3-7
RECIRC: This setting recirculates much of the
air inside your vehicle. This setting is not permitted
in FRONT defrost mode and is only permitted in
WINDSHIELD/FLOOR mode if the compressor
is turned on. The indicator light will be lit when
recirculation is engaged, but will light briefly and
then turn off if selected when not permitted.
Operating the climate control system in the RECIRC
mode may cause fogging of the vehicles windows when
the weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch
the system to either WINDSHIELD/FLOOR or
WINDSHIELD mode and increase the fan speed.
To avoid re
-fogging of the windows, operate the
system with RECIRC disengaged.
Defogging and Defrosting

If you have the DUAL COMFORTEMP CLIMATE
CONTROL, your system has two settings for
clearing the front and side windows. To defrost the
windows quickly, press the DEF button with the
temperature knob all the way in the red area.For maximum defroster performance, set both
driver and passenger temperature controls to the
warmest setting.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows
clear, use BLEND.

If you have the DUAL AUTOMATIC
COMFORTEMP CLIMATE CONTROL, your
system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, press
the FRONT button; set the temperature to 90 F
(32C), select high fan speed and turn the DUAL
button off. To warm passengers while keeping the
windows clear, push the AIR FLOW button until
WINDSHIELD/FLOOR appears in the display.
Select fan speed for comfort and windshield
clearing performance.