2004 BUICK CENTURY light

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
before a tire has built up heat from driving.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64.Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
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Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to
279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity
of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of curb
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants
a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of a asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand and or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended Ination Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire ination pressure and
shown on the tire placard. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-64andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road.
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When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inated even when they’re underinated. Check
the tire’s ination pressure when the tires are cold.
Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press
the tire gage rmly onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire ination pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary.
If the ination pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The tire ination monitor system detects differences in
tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you if a tire is
low – but it does not replace normal tire maintenance.
SeeTires on page 5-57.
When the LOW TIRE light comes on the instrument
panel, stop as soon as you can and check all the tires
for damage. If a tire is at, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-74. Also, check the tire pressure in all four
tires as soon as possible. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-64.
In order for the tire ination system to function properly,
the vehicle must be driven between 45 and 90 minutes
before the system determines the tire pressure in
each tire. The driving time may be longer depending on
an individual’s driving habits. The data does not have
to be accumulated during a single trip. Once determined,
the system will store the tire pressures until the
system is reset.
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The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving
time in each of three speed ranges to determine
tire pressures. The speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph
(25 to 65 km/h), 40 to 65 mph (65 to 105 km/h)
and above 65 mph (105 km/h). When the storage of the
tire ination information is complete, the LOW TIRE
light will come on the instrument panel after two
to eight minutes if one tire is inated 12 psi (83 kPa)
less than the other three tires. Detection thresholds
may be higher and detection times may be longer on
rough roads, curves and at high speeds. The system is
not capable of ination differences at speeds greater
than 70 mph (110 km/h).
The tire ination monitor system will not alert you if the
pressure in more than one tire is low, if the system
is not properly calibrated, or if the vehicle is moving
faster than 70 mph (110 km/h).
The LOW TIRE light will stay on while the ignition is on,
until the system is resetDo not reset the tire ination monitor system without
rst correcting the cause of the problem and checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If the
system is reset when the tire pressures are incorrect, it
will not function properly and may not alert you when
a tire is low.
Any time a tire’s pressure is adjusted, the tires are
rotated, or one or more tires is repaired or replaced, the
tire ination monitor system will need to be reset. The
system also needs to be reset when new tires are
purchased and if the vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected.
To reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN.
2. Remove the passenger’s side instrument panel
cover to get to the fuse block.
3. Press and hold the RESET button in the fuse block
for about ve seconds.
4. The LOW TIRE light will come on and ash
three times. Then it will go off. If the light does
not go off, see your dealer for service.
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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 specied 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 signicantly 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 specied 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.
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Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
See your GM dealer for more information on purchasing
the following products.
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
Description Usage
Polishing Cloth
Wax-TreatedInterior and exterior
polishing cloth.
Tar and Road Oil
RemoverRemoves tar, road oil and
asphalt.
Chrome Cleaner and
PolishUse on chrome or
stainless steel.
White Sidewall Tire
CleanerRemoves soil and black
marks from whitewalls.
Vinyl CleanerCleans vinyl tops,
upholstery and
convertible tops.
Glass CleanerRemoves dirt, grime,
smoke and ngerprints.
Chrome and Wire Wheel
CleanerRemoves dirt and grime
from chrome wheels and
wire wheel covers.
Finish EnhancerRemoves dust,
ngerprints, and surface
contaminants. Spray on
wipe off.
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
(cont’d)
Description Usage
Swirl Remover PolishRemoves swirl marks,
ne scratches and other
light surface
contamination.
Cleaner WaxRemoves light scratches
and protects nish.
Foaming Tire Shine Low
GlossCleans, shines and
protects in one easy step,
no wiping necessary.
Wash Wax ConcentrateMedium foaming
shampoo. Cleans and
lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot LifterQuickly and easily
removes spots and stains
from carpets, vinyl and
cloth upholstery.
Odor EliminatorOdorless spray odor
eliminator used on
fabrics, vinyl, leather and
carpet.
See your General Motors parts department for these
products. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12.
5-95

Circuit
BreakersUsage
TIRE RESET Tire Ination Monitor Reset Button
PWR/WNDW
PWR S/ROOFPower Windows, Power Sunroof
R/DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
PWR/ SEAT Power Seat
Blank Not Used
Fuses Usage
PRK/LCK Ignition Key Solenoid
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
PCM,
BCM, U/HIgnition Signal: Hot in Run and Start,
Powertrain Control Module, Body
Control Module, Underhood Relay
RADIO PREM.
SOUNDRemote Radio Premium Sound
PWR MIR Power Mirrors
Blank Not Used
INT/ILLUM Panel Dimming
Blank Not Used
IGN 0: CLSTR,
PCM & BCMIgnition Signal: Hot in Run, Unlock
and Start; Cluster, Powertrain
Control Module, Body Control
Module
Fuses Usage
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
ACCY
PWR BUSInterior Lamps
DR/ LCK Door Locks
Blank Not Used
R/LAMPS Taillamps, License Plate Lamps
Blank Not Used
CRUISE Cruise Control
Blank Not Used
CLSTR Instrument Panel Cluster
LTR Cigarette Lighter
STOP LAMPS Stoplamps
ONSTAR OnStar
®
PRK/LGHT Parking Lamps
Blank Not Used
CRNK SIG,
BCM, CLSTRCrank Signal, Body Control Module,
Cluster, Powertrain Control Module
HVACIgnition Signal, Heating, Ventilation,
and Air Conditioning Control Head
BTSI (REGAL) Not Used
AIR BAG Air Bag
BCM PWR Body Control Module
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Fuses Usage
1 Anti-Lock Brake System
2 Starter Solenoid
3 Power Seat, Rear Window Defogger
4High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror,
Door Locks
5Ignition Switch, Stoplamps,
Anti-Lock Brake System, Turn
Signals, Cluster, Air Bag, Daytime
Running Lamps Module
6 Cooling Fan
7Retained Accessory Power, Remote
Keyless Entry, Data Link, Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Head; Cluster, Radio, Cigarette
Lighter
8Ignition Switch, Wipers, Autdio
Steering Wheel Controls, Body
Control Module, Power Windows,
Sunroof, Heating, Ventilation, and
Air Conditioning Controls; Daytime
Running Lamps, Rear Window
Defogger RelayRelays 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
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