2003 BUICK CENTURY warning light

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:Your radiator cap is a 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
over¯ow tube on the radiator ®ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the
vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-30andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 3-29.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The emergency engine protection operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition
exists, this protection mode alternates ®ring groups
of cylinders to help prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a signi®cant loss in power and
engine performance. The engine coolant temperature
gage indicator will move to the red area, showing that an
overheated engine condition exists. Driving extended
miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheated
protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
5-26

When your brake ¯uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-27.
What to Add
When you do need brake ¯uid, use only DOT-3 brake
¯uid. Use new brake ¯uid from a sealed container
only. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-16.
Always clean the brake ¯uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of ¯uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake ¯uid.
Notice:
·Using the wrong ¯uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they'll have to be replaced.
Don't let someone put in the wrong kind of ¯uid.
·If you spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint ®nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
ªAppearance Careº in the Index. United States
Canada
5-40

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal ®rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won't work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are ®rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci®cations.
Your rear drum brakes don't have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the
rear brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brake pads replaced have the
rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-15.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-41

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 speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) 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 signi®cantly 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 speci®ed 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.
5-63

A
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature................3-48
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-88
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-41, 3-44
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-53
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-59
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-62
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag In¯ates?......1-60
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-58
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-56
Air Bag .........................................................3-25
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-40
AM ...............................................................3-50
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-52
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-79Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-82
Finish Damage............................................5-84
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-84
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Ashtrays........................................................3-16
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-40
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-50
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-51
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-52
Care of Your CDs........................................3-52
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-52
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-42
Setting the Time..........................................3-39
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-48
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-50
Automatic Transaxle Check..............................6-11
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System
Check........................................................6-12
Automatic Transaxle........................................5-19
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)...........3-16
1

B
Backing Up....................................................4-39
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Battery..........................................................5-42
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-11
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-26
Parking......................................................2-26
System Inspection.......................................6-15
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-55
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-53
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-49
Headlamps.................................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-94
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-35, 2-13, 2-30
Care of.........................................................5-82
Safety Belts................................................5-82
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-51
Your CD Player...........................................3-52
Your CDs ...................................................3-52
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-45
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-10
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-53
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-22
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Checking Coolant............................................5-24
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-63
Check...........................................................3-31
Engine Light...............................................3-31
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-85
Child Restraints..............................................1-36
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-50
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-42
Top Strap...................................................1-40
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-39
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-84
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-83
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-79
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-81
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-81
Cleaning Leather............................................5-81
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-81
Cleaning Tires................................................5-84
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-81Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-83
Cleaning........................................................5-79
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-79
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-20
Dual..........................................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-20
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-47
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-78
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-35
Coolant.........................................................3-30
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-30
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-21
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-14
Cruise Control Light........................................3-36
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-8
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-12
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-19
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-14
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-15
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-13
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-7
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature.................3-49
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-33
Dome Lamp...................................................3-15
Door.............................................................2-10
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Trunk Ajar Warning Light..............................3-36
Driver............................................................1-12
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driving On Grades..........................................4-40
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-39
Driving..........................................................4-16
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-26
Dual Climate Control System............................3-17
4