2003 BUICK CENTURY lock

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After you've moved
the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal
down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever out of
PARK (P). If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn't
fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-28

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control
system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P) when
the ignition is in the OFF position. In addition, you have
to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-23.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. There is no
shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
2-29

OnStaržSystem
OnStaržuses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and call centers
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information and convenience services. An OnStar
ž
subscription plan is included in the price of your vehicle.
You can upgrade or extend your OnStaržservices to
meet your needs.
A complete OnStar
žuser's guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStaržSubscription Service
Agreement are included in your vehicle's glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com,
contact OnStar
žat 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the blue OnStaržbutton to speak to an
OnStaržadvisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OnStaržServices
OnStaržprovides a number of service plans. Some of
the services currently provided by OnStaržare:
·Automatic Noti®cation of Air Bag Deployment
·Emergency Services
·Roadside Assistance Stolen Vehicle Tracking
·AccidentAssist
·Remote Door Unlock
·Remote Diagnostics
·Online and Personal Concierge Services
·Route Support
·RideAssist
·Information and Convenience Services
2-34

OnStaržPersonal Calling
With OnStaržPersonal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It's a hands-free wireless
phone that's integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts, no roaming charges and no access fees. To
®nd out more about OnStar
žPersonal Calling, refer
to the OnStaržuser's guide in your vehicle's glove box,
or call OnStaržat 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStaržVirtual Advisor
With OnStaržVirtual Advisor you can listen to the news,
entertainment and informative topics, such as traffic
and weather reports. You are able to listen and reply to
your e-mail through your vehicle's speakers.
A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required
prior to delivery of OnStar
žservices and prepaid
calling minutes are also required for OnStaržPersonal
Calling and OnStaržVirtual Advisor use. Terms and
conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be
found at www.onstar.com.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box.
To open, lift the latch.
Convenience Net
Your vehicle has a convenience net located on the back
wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store those in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie ¯at when
you're not using it.
2-35

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

To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the steering
wheel to a comfortable
position and release
the lever to lock the wheel
into place.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever located on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
·Turn and Lane-Change Signals
·Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
·Flash-to-Pass
·Windshield Wipers
·Windshield Washer
·Cruise Control
3-5

Windshield Washer
J
(Windshield Washer):At the top of the
multifunction lever, there is a paddle with the word
PUSH on it. To spray washer ¯uid on the windshield,
push on the paddle. The wipers will run for several
sweeps and then either stop or return to your preset
speed. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer ¯uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
The LOW WASH light on
your instrument panel
cluster will come on when
the ¯uid level is low.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, you can maintain a
speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
·Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
·Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
needless wheel spinning, and you could
lose control. Don't use cruise control on
slippery roads.
3-8