2001 BUICK CENTURY lights

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry
Trunk Release
Automatic Transaxle
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield WipersCruise Control (If Equipped)
Exterior and Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Auxiliary Power Connection
OnStar® System (If Equipped)
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important for
you and your
passengers
whenever your
vehicle is driven:
CHILD
RESTRAINT
TOP STRAP
ANCHOR
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry
2
-17 Trunk
2
-20 Theft
2
-21 PASS-Key
II
2
-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-22 Ignition Positions
2
-24 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-26 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-33 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-34 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-34 Engine Exhaust2
-35 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-36 Horn
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-44 Interior Lamps
2
-46 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-52 Sun Visors
2
-52 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-53 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-57 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-60 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-61 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-23
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.
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.
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 ACC
and the key is in the ignition.

2-42
Exterior Lamps
The lamp controls
are located on the
instrument panel.
They control these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Courtesy LampsIf you pull the knob out halfway, it will turn on your
parking lamps and your other operating lamps. If you
pull the knob all the way out, your headlamps will then
come on.
Push the knob in all the way to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when you turn the ignition switch to OFF, LOCK
or ACC with the lamps on.
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lights are required on all vehicles first sold
in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the parking brake is released.

2-44
You can turn the feature on and off when you perform
the following sequence:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch, cycle the headlamp
switch on and then off two times.
4. Release the power door lock switch. These steps
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds, followed by a delay period of no more
than 10 seconds.
5. Then, press and hold the power door unlock switch.
While holding the door unlock switch, turn the
headlamp switch on and then off two times. Release
the courtesy door unlock switch. These operations
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds.
After releasing the door unlock switch, a single chime
will be heard if the delayed headlamp illumination
function has been disabled; two chimes will be heard
if the feature has been enabled. Disconnecting the
vehicle's battery for up to a year will not change the
programmed operation of this feature.Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights by
moving the LIGHTS knob. If you turn the knob past
MAX, your courtesy or interior lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps come on. These
lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easier to see as
you enter and exit your vehicle. You can also turn these
lamps on by twisting or turning the interior lights knob
all the way to the right.
Illuminated Entry
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a
set time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open a
door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.

2-45
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled if you turn the ignition key to RUN
or START, so the lamps will dim right away.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights your vehicle's interior for
a period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting to
work. Just after all the doors have been closed, the
delayed entry lighting feature will continue to work
until one of the following occurs:

The ignition is in RUN, or

the doors are locked or

an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to
work. When the ignition key is removed, interior
illumination will activate and remain on until one
of the following occurs:

The ignition is in RUN, or

the power door locks are activated or

an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the underside of the
rearview mirror.
Use the switch next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.

2-47
There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Each lamp is turned on and off by pressing the
button next to the lamp.
There are also three OnStar buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar. See ªOnStar Systemº in the Index for
more information about the services OnStar provides.
Electrochromic Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have an electrochromic day/night
rearview mirror. Push the button in the center of the
mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will darken
gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind you.
This may take a few moments.
The mirror's two outer buttons operate the lights on
the bottom sides of the mirror.