2003 BUICK CENTURY Owner's Manual

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

E
Electrical System............................................5-88
Add-On Equipment......................................5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-89
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-88
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-88
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-33
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-10
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-41
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance..................... 6-5
Engine..........................................................5-18
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-42
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-31
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-30
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-29
Coolant......................................................5-23
Cooling System Inspection............................6-14Engine (cont.)
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-20
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)......................4-10
Warning Light.............................................3-28
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-11
F
Filter.............................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-40, 3-42
Finish Care....................................................5-83
Finish Damage...............................................5-84
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-52
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-67
Flat Tire........................................................5-66
Fluid.............................................................5-19
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
5

FM ...............................................................3-50
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-39
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-37
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-38
System Inspection.......................................6-14
Fuses...........................................................5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-89
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-88
G
Gage............................................................3-30
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-30
Fuel..........................................................3-37
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Gasoline......................................................... 5-5
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5Glove Box.....................................................2-35
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-88
Headlamp......................................................5-49
Aiming.......................................................5-49
Headlamps....................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-38
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-4
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-31
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-33
How to Add Fluid............................................5-22
6

How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-58
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-32
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-32
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-31
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-36
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-29
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-13
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-8
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Inspection......................................................6-15
Brake System.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System................................6-14
Exhaust System..........................................6-14
Fuel System...............................................6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-14
Throttle System...........................................6-15Inspection (cont.)
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-89
Instrument Panel.............................................3-23
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-14J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps...........................................................3-11
Exterior......................................................3-11
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lap Belt........................................................1-22
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-13, 1-24
LATCH System...............................................1-42
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
7

LATCH System (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-45
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-28
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-16
Light.............................................................3-25
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
Change Engine Oil......................................3-35
Charging System.........................................3-26
Cruise Control.............................................3-36
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-29
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-28
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-38
Low Oil Level.............................................3-35
Low Traction...............................................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-36
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-31
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-24
Security.....................................................3-36
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-37
Tire Pressure..............................................3-30
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks............................................................2-10Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-38
Low Traction Light..........................................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-36
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-95
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-14
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-14
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . 6-16
8