2001 BUICK CENTURY climate control

2-35
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be 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've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

2-59
The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Lamp Controls
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Steering Wheel Audio Controls (If Equipped)
E. Gear Shift Lever
F. Vents
G. Side Window Defog Vent
H. Hood ReleaseI. Tilt Wheel
J. Horn
K. Audio System
L. Ashtray
M. Climate Controls
N. Glove Box
O. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

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.

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.
For the automatic system to function, the temperature
must be set between 61
F (16
C) and 89
F (31
C).
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).

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 vehicle's 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 (32
C), 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.

3-8 Rear Window Defogger
Dual ComforTemp

Climate ControlDual Automatic
ComforTemp

Climate Control
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window. Press the button to
turn the rear defogger on. It will turn off after about
15 minutes. If you turn it on again, the rear defogger
will only run for about 7.5 minutes before turning off.
You can also turn it off by pressing the button again.
NOTICE:
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle
license or decal across the defogger grid.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.

6-47 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter
-type snow
tires, space
-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.