2000 BUICK CENTURY instrument panel

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.

4-37 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.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanes
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.

5-9
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.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel cluster.
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and ªEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº in the Index.
You also have a LOW COOLANT warning light on
your instrument panel cluster. See ªLow Coolant
Warning Lightº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on and
the temperature gage will indicate an overheat condition
exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

6-4
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your
vehicle may fail a smog
-check test. (See ªMalfunction
Indicator Lampº in the Index.) If this occurs, return to
your authorized Buick dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not
the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not
recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing
MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your
emission control system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Buick dealer for service.To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.

6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle, located just
below the instrument
panel and to the left of
the steering column.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.

6-11
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
panel, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Level Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-43
To reset (calibrate) the system: turn the ignition switch
to RUN. Then press and hold the RESET button for
about five seconds. The red RESET button is located
inside your instrument panel fuse block. The fuse block
is located under the cover labeled FUSES, which is at
the end of the instrument panel on the passenger's side
of the vehicle. The RESET button is the first button in
the top row of the fuse block. The LOW TIRE light will
come on and flash three times. Then it will go off. If the
light doesn't go off, see your dealer for service.
The system completes the calibration process
during driving.
The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving
in each of three speed ranges to ªlearnº tire pressures.
The speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph (25 to 65 km/h),
40 to 65 mph (65 to 105 km/h) and above 65 mph
(105 km/h). When learning is complete, the system will
alert you after 2
-8 minutes if a tire is 12 psi (83 kPa)
different from the other three tires. Detection thresholds
may be higher and detection times may be longer on
rough roads, curves and at high speeds. The system
is not capable of detection at speeds greater than
70 mph (110 km/h).
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear,
rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and ªWheel
Replacementº later in this section for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.

6-51 Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.

Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.

Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for this product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.

For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.

Never use oils, varnishes, solvent
-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.

Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft
cloth or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.