2001 BUICK CENTURY tire pressure reset

2-69 Low Tire Light
The low tire inflation
monitor system can
alert you to a large
change in the pressure
in one tire.
After the system has ªlearnedº tire pressures with
properly inflated tires, the LOW TIRE light will come
on if the pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi (83 kPa)
lower than the other three tires. The low tire inflation
monitor system won't alert you if the pressure in more
than one tire is low, if the system is not yet calibrated, or
if the vehicle is moving faster than 70 mph (110 km/h).
When the LOW TIRE light comes on, you should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires for damage.
(If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.)
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
The light will stay on (while the ignition is on) until you
reset (calibrate) the system. See ªLow Tire Inflation
Monitor Systemº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on and a chime will sound to indicate that there
is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often
will be indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist
your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.

6-43 Tire Inflation Monitor System
The tire inflation monitor system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system ªlearnsº
the pressure at each tire throughout the operating speed
range of your vehicle. The system normally takes
between 45 and 90 minutes of driving to learn the
tire pressures. This time may be longer depending on
your individual driving habits. Learning need not be
accumulated during a single trip. Once learned, the
system will remember the tire pressures until the
system is recalibrated.
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the LOW TIRE light will come on if the
pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi (83 kPa) lower than
the other three tires. The tire inflation monitor system
won't alert you if the pressure in more than one tire is
low, if the system is not properly calibrated, or if the
vehicle is moving faster than 70 mph (110 km/h).
The tire inflation monitor system detects differences
in tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire
-- but it doesn't replace normal tire maintenance.
See ªTiresº in the Index.When the LOW TIRE light comes on, you should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires for damage.
(If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.)
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
The LOW TIRE light will also be displayed (while the
ignition is on) until you reset (calibrate) the system.
Don't reset the tire inflation monitor system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not work properly and may not alert you when a tire
is low.
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure, rotate your tires,
or have one or more tires repaired or replaced, you'll
need to reset (calibrate) the tire inflation monitor
system. You'll also need to reset the system whenever
you buy new tires and whenever the vehicle's battery
has been disconnected.

6-44
To reset (calibrate) the system:
1. Turn the ignition switch to RUN.
2. 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.

6-45
Don't include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Reset the Tire Inflation Monitor
system. See ªTire Inflation Monitor Systemº in the
Index. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. See
ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:

You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.