2003 BUICK CENTURY light

Trunk Assist Handle
The vehicle may have an
assist handle located on
the inside of the trunk
lid toward the driver's side
of the vehicle.
Pull down on the handle to lower the trunk lid. Then
close the trunk with your other hand. If the trunk is not
properly closed, the DOOR/TRUNK ajar warning
light will appear in the message center of your
instrument panel cluster. See
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning
Light on page 3-36for more information.
Notice:The trunk assist handle is not designed to
be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk assist handle could damage it.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:The emergency trunk release handle is not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or
as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk.
Improper use of the emergency trunk release
handle could damage it.
The vehicle may have a glow-in-the-dark emergency
trunk release handle located inside the trunk on
the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to
light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from
the inside.
2-14

Power Windows
The switches on the driver's door armrest can be used to
control each of the windows when the ignition is on. In
addition, each passenger's door has a window switch.
Express-Down Window
The driver's window switch has an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch and the driver's window will open without
stopping.To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold
the front of the switch.
Window Lock-Out
The driver's window controls also include a lock-out
switch. Press LOCK to stop front and rear passengers
from using their window switches. The driver can
still control all the windows with the lock on. Press the
other side of the LOCK switch for normal window
operation.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the sun visors.
You can also move them from side to side. The sun
visors also have extenders that you can pull out
for added coverage.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Open the cover on the sun visor to expose the vanity
mirror.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors
If your vehicle has the lighted vanity mirrors, the lamps
come on when you open the cover.
2-16

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
PASS-KeyžII
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-KeyžII
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
žII is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert or
remove the key from the
ignition.PASS-Key
žII uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
žII system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle's
starter and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the
starter won't work and fuel won't go to the engine.
If someone tries to start your vehicle again or uses
another key during this time, the vehicle will not start.
This discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to
make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it's
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY warning
light on the instrument panel is ¯ashing, the key may be
dirty or wet. Turn the ignition off.
2-17

Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. If the starter still won't work, and the key
appears to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes
and try another ignition key. At this time, you may
also want to check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-89. If the starter won't work with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, the ®rst ignition key may be faulty. See your
dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
žII.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won't work. The
SECURITY warning light on the instrument panel will
then come on. But you don't have to wait three minutes
before trying another ignition key.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key
žII to have a new key made.If you're ever driving and the SECURITY warning light
comes on, you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
žII system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
žII system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
žII ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
žII to have a new key made. Also, seeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for more
information.
2-18

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. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
C (OFF):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.
D (RUN):This position is where the key returns to after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you can
use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
E (START):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 ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), your power
windows and audio system will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF
and before any of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
2-20

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-3
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-11
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Auxiliary Power Connection
(Power Drop)............................................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-28
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-28
Low Traction Light........................................3-29Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-30
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-30
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-31
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-34
Low Oil Level Light.......................................3-35
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-35
Security Light...............................................3-36
Cruise Control Light......................................3-36
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-36
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light........................3-36
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-37
Fuel Gage...................................................3-37
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-38
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
Setting the Time...........................................3-39
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-40
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-42
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-48
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-50
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-50
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-51
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-52
Care of Your CD Player................................3-52
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the
following:
A. Exterior Lamps Control. See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-11.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. See
Audio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-50.
E. Gear Shift Lever. See
Automatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-23.
F. Air Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
G. Side Window Defogger Outlet.
H. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-11.
I. Tilt Wheel Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-4.
J. Horn. (See
Horn on page 3-4.
K. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-39.
L. Ashtray. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-16.
M. Climate Control. See
Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-17.
N. Glove Box.
O. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-89.
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ¯ashers let you warn others.
They also let police know you have a problem. Your
front and rear turn signal lamps will ¯ash on and off.
3-3

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward positions for right and
two downward positions for left. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is ®nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ¯ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ¯ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.If the arrow ¯ashes faster than normal as you signal a
turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check the
fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-89.
A chime will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change your headlamps from low beams to
high beams, or high to low, pull the multifunction lever
all the way toward you. Then release it.
This light, located on the
instrument panel cluster,
will come on while the
high-beam lamps are on.
3-6