2002 BUICK CENTURY steering

4-38 Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly
as responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good
deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
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.

5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
The hazard warning flasher
button is located on the top
of the steering column.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to turn
the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.

5-19
10. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

5-32
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
the Enhanced Traction System off. See ªEnhanced Traction
Systemº in the Index. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and FIRST (1) or SECOND (2)
gear. The Enhanced Traction System will be turned off in
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) gear. Spin the wheels as little
as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in
gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may
free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed
out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-22 Engine Coolant
6
-25 Power Steering Fluid
6
-27 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-28 Brakes
6
-31 Battery
6
-32 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement6
-41 Tires
6
-50 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-54 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-54 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-56 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-56 Cleaning Tires
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-66 Replacement Bulbs
6
-66 Capacities and Specifications
6
-67 Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
6
-67 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle
inside the vehicle,
located just below
the instrument
panel and to
the left of the
steering column.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release by pushing it to the right.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all of the filler caps
are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, you will see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive (+)
Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Fuse BlockE. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Engine Oil DipstickJ. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-25
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located on the
passenger's side of the vehicle at the back of the
engine compartment.