2000 BUICK CENTURY wheel

1-28
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger air bag.

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you'll need some new parts for your
air bag system. If you don't get them, the air bag
system won't be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the frontal air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system, when
the system commands air bag inflation and driver's
safety belt usage at deployment. Some modules also
record speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag systems. Improper service can mean that an
air bag system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, or the air bag
covering on the driver's seatback, the bag may
not work properly. You may have to replace the
air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger's air bag, or the air bag
module and seatback for the driver's side
impact air bag. Do not open or break the air
bag coverings.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Remote Keyless Entry
2
-14 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 PASS-Key
II
2
-17 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-18 Ignition Positions
2
-19 Starting Your Engine
2
-20 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-26 Parking Brake
2
-27 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-29 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-30 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-31 Engine Exhaust
2
-31 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-32 Windows
2
-33 Horn
2
-33 Tilt-Wheel Adjustable Steering Column
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-40 Exterior Lamps
2
-42 Interior Lamps
2
-44 Mirrors
2
-47 Storage Compartments
2
-48 Sun Visors
2
-49 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-49 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-50 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-51 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-52 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-53 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-15
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Move the trunk release lockout switch to
LK (LOCK).

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.

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.

2-23
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shiftlock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in
the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see ªIf
You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-25
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

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.