2000 BUICK CENTURY steering

2-18
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions:
ACCESSORY (A): The accessory position lets you use
the radio and windshield wipers when the engine is off.
To use ACC, push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will stay locked.
LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in LOCK. It's also the only position
from which you can remove your key. This position
locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It's a
theft
-deterrent feature.OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the steering
wheel. Use OFF if you must have your vehicle pushed
or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns
after you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when the ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.

2-22
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle will have a shift lever on the
steering column.
The graphic shown above is displayed on your
instrument panel cluster in reference to your steering
column shift lever.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles when you're in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-33
The driver's window switch has an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch and the driver's window will open a small
amount. If the rear of the switch is pressed all the way
down, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
The driver's window controls also include a lock
-out
switch. Press LOCK to stop front and rear passengers
from using their window switches. The driver can still
control all the windows with the lock on. Press the other
side of the LOCK button for normal window operation.
Horn
Press the horn symbols on your steering wheel pad to
sound the horn.
Tilt-Wheel Adjustable
Steering Column
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your
legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel into place.

2-34
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn and Lane Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control (If Equipped)

Flash
-to-Pass Feature
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has the following positions: two upward
(for right) and two downward (for left). These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If the arrow flashes faster than normal as you signal a
turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won't see your turn signal.

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)

3-28 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
SEEK: Press the up or
down arrow to tune to
the next or previous
radio station.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the player
will advance to the next or previous selection.
SCAN: Press the SCAN button and SCAN will appear
on the display. SCAN works as the PSCAN button on
your radio. It will scan through each of the preset radio
stations. If a preset radio station has weak reception, the
radio will not stop at the preset station. Press SCAN
again to stop scanning.AM
-FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, press this
button to stop it and the radio will play.
SRCE: Press this button to
change to the cassette tape,
compact disc function or
return to playing the radio.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the audio system.
Press it again to turn on the sound.
VOL: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
- 2 Defensive Driving
4
- 3 Drunken Driving
4
- 6 Control of a Vehicle
4
- 6 Braking
4
- 11 Steering
4
- 13 Off-Road Recovery
4
- 13 Passing
4
- 15 Loss of Control
4
- 16 Driving at Night
4
- 17 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads4
- 20 City Driving
4
- 21 Freeway Driving
4
- 23 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
- 23 Highway Hypnosis
4
- 24 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
- 25 Winter Driving
4
- 29 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
- 30 Loading Your Vehicle
4
- 32 Towing a Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. (Also see ªEnhanced Traction Systemº
in the Index.)
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up
your foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.