2003 BUICK CENTURY fuel pump

Here are four things that some owners ask about. All
these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage:
·At the gas station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
·It takes more (or less) fuel to ®ll up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it
took more (or less) than half of the tank's
capacity to ®ll it.
·The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
·The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.
Low Fuel Warning Light
If your fuel is low, a circular light on your instrument
panel cluster will come on and stay on and a chime will
sound periodically until you add fuel.
It will also come on for a few seconds when you ®rst
turn on the ignition as a check to show you it's working.
If it doesn't come on then, have it ®xed.United States
Canada
3-38

Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 87
or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine. A
little pinging noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is
considered normal. This does not indicate a problem
exists or that a higher-octane fuel is necessary. If you are
using 87 octane or higher-octane fuel and hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
Gasoline Speci®cations
It is recommended that gasoline meet speci®cations
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association for better
vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasoline
meeting these speci®cations could provide improved
driveability and emission control system performance
compared to other gasoline.
In Canada, look for the
ªAuto Makers' Choiceº
label on the pump.
Canada Only
5-5

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to ®nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be
covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
Filling Your Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel ®re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions
on the pump island. Turn off your engine when
you are refueling. Don't smoke if you're near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks,
¯ames and smoking materials away from fuel.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Don't leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle Ð this is against the law
in some places. Keep children away from the
fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
Turn your vehicle off to refuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged door
on the driver's side of the vehicle.
5-7

While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether
below the fuel ®ll opening.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if you
let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. This
spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap
slowly and wait for any ªhissº noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. don't top off or over®ll your
tank, and wait a few seconds after you've ®nished
pumping before you remove the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82.
5-8

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-31.
{CAUTION:
If a ®re starts while you're refueling, don't
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ¯ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not ®t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in the
Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ®ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
·Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
·Do not ®ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
·Bring the ®ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ®ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the ®lling is complete.
·Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Fuses Usage
4High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror, Door
Locks
5Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps,
Anti-Lock Brake System, Turn
Signals, Cluster, Air Bag, Daytime
Running Lamps Module
6 Cooling Fan
7Retained Accessory Power, Keyless
Entry, Data Link, Heating Ventilation
Air Conditioning Head, Cluster,
Radio, Cigarette Lighter
8Ignition Switch, Wipers, Radio,
Steering Wheel Controls, Body
Control Module, Power Windows,
Sunroof, Heating Ventilation Air
Conditioning Controls, Daytime
Running Lamps, Rear Window
Defogger Relay
Relays Usage
9 Cooling Fan 2
10 Cooling Fan 3
11 Starter Solenoid
12 Cooling Fan 1
13 Ignition Main
14 Air Pump (Optional)
15 Not Used
16 Horn
17 Fog Lamps
18 Not Used
19 Fuel Pump
5-92

Fuses Usage
20 Not Used
21 Generator
22 Engine Control Module
23 A/C Compressor Clutch
24 Cooling Fan
25 Electronic Ignition
26 Transaxle
27 Horn
28 Fuel Injector
29 Oxygen Sensor
30 Engine Emissions
31 Fog Lamps
Fuses Usage
32 Headlamp (Right)
33 Rear Compartment Release
34 Parking Lamps
35 Fuel Pump
36 Headlamp (Left)
37 Not Used
38 Not Used
39 Not Used
40 Not Used
41 Not Used
42 Not Used
43 Not Used
SYMBOL A/C Compressor Clutch Diode
5-93