2004 BUICK CENTURY instrument panel

WINDSHIELD/FLOOR:This setting directs some of the
air to the oor outlets and some to the defroster and
side window outlets. The air-conditioning compressor will
run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40°F (4°C).
MID/FLOOR:This mode directs airow through both
the oor and the instrument panel outlets. A small
amount of air is directed to the windshield and the side
window outlets.
MID (Instrument Panel):This mode directs air through
the instrument panel outlets.
FLOOR:This setting sends most of the air through the
outlets near the oor. The rest comes out of the
defroster and side window outlets.
VENT:Press this button to turn the air-conditioning
compressor on or off. The indicator light on the VENT
mode is lit when the compressor is turned off. The
interior brightness control might have to be adjusted to
the highest setting during the day in order to see
the indicator lamp.
VENT does not operate in the FRONT defrost mode.
RECIRC (Recirculation):Press this button to turn this
mode on or off. RECIRC limits the amount of outside
air coming into the vehicle and recirculates most of the
air inside your vehicle. It can be use to preventoutside air and odors from entering the vehicle or to
quickly heat or cool the air inside the vehicle. When this
button is pressed an indicator light will come on. The
interior brightness control might have to be adjusted to
the highest setting during the day in order to see the
indicator lamp.
This setting is not permitted in FRONT defrost mode
and is only permitted in WINDSHIELD/FLOOR mode if
the compressor is turned on.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot air inside
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, press the AUTO
button. The system will automatically enter the
recirculation mode where the temperature will be at the
full cold position for maximum cooling.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water dripping underneath
the vehicle while it is idling or after the engine is turned
off is normal.
Operating the climate control system in the RECIRC
mode may cause fogging of the vehicle’s windows when
the weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, select
either WINDSHIELD/FLOOR or defrost mode and
increase the speed.
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Sensors
The solar sensor on the vehicle monitors the solar heat
and the air inside of the vehicle. This information is
used to maintain the selected temperature by regulating
adjustments to the temperature, the fan speed, and
the air delivery system. The system may also supply
cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The
recirculation mode will also be activated, as necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center
of the instrument panel, near the windshield, or
the system will not work properly.
Passenger Control
The arrow buttons to control the temperature on the
passenger side of the vehicle are located to the right of
the PASSENGER CONTROL window. Press the
DUAL button so that the indicator light is on. Press the
right arrow to raise the temperature and press the
left arrow to lower the temperature on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
If the indicator light below the arrows is amber this
indicates that the passenger side temperature is
set the same as the driver’s side.
If the indicator light below the arrows is red, this
indicates that the passenger side temperature is
set warmer than that of the driver’s side.
If the indicator light below the arrows is blue this
indicates that the passenger side temperature is
set cooler than that of the driver’s side.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the outside of the windows is a result of high
humidity causing moisture to form and condense on the
cool window glass. This can be minimized if the
climate control system is used properly. There are two
modes to clear fog or frost from the windshield and
side windows. Use the WINDSHIELD/FLOOR mode to
clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly. For best results,
clear all snow and ice from the windshield before
defrosting.
1FRONT (Defrost):This setting brings in outside air
and directs most of the air through the defrost outlet.
Some of the air also goes to the oor vents and the side
window outlets. The indicator light on the button will
come on and WINDSHIELD will be seen on the display.
To defrost the windows quickly, press the FRONT
button, set the temperature to 90°F (32°C), select a high
fan speed, and turn the DUAL button off.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to let the driver know at a glance how the vehicle is running. it shows how
fast the vehicle is going, about how much fuel is in the fuel tank and many other things needed to drive safely
and economically.
United States version with Enhanced Traction System and ABS shown; Canada Base Level similar
3-28

Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle’s speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been
driven in either miles (used in the United States) or in
kilometers (used in Canada).
The vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer. If ERROR
is displayed, this indicates someone has probably
tampered with it and the numbers may not be accurate.
You may wonder what happens if the vehicle needs
a new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then that will
be done. But if it cannot, then it will be set at zero and a
label must be put on the driver’s door to show the old
mileage reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far the vehicle has been
driven since it was last reset. To set the trip odometer to
zero, press the button on the right side of the instrument
panel cluster.
The trip/select reset button will go back and forth
between the odometer and the trip odometer if the
button is pressed and released within 1.5 seconds.
If the button is pressed and held for longer than
1.5 seconds while in the trip odometer mode, it will be
reset to zero. If the button is pressed and held for longer
than 1.5 seconds while in the odometer mode, it will
have no effect.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START, a
chime will come on for several seconds to remind
occupants to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The system check includes the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, seeAir Bag
Systems on page 1-49.
This light will come on
when the vehicle is
started, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system is
functioning properly.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started, or comes on as the vehicle is being driven,
there may be an electrical problem and the air
bag system may not work properly. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
3-30

Low Fuel Warning Light
If the vehicle’s fuel is low, a circular light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on and a chime will
sound periodically until fuel is added to the fuel tank.
It will also come on for a few seconds when the ignition
is turned on as a check to indicate it is working. If it
does not come on then, have it xed.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle – like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio – be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added
improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and to give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with
it rst. Figure out which radio you have in your vehicle,
nd out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-19. United States
Canada
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Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time
to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will come on briey when you
start your vehicle.United States
Canada
4-6

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has an Enhanced Traction System (ETS) it
will limit wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on the
instrument panel cluster
while the ETS is limiting
wheel spin. SeeEnhanced
Traction System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow safe use of it again, you can re-engage
the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.The ETS operates in THIRD (3) and OVERDRIVE (
X).
If the vehicle is in THIRD (3), the system can upshift
the transaxle to OVERDRIVE (
X). The ETS is turned
off in SECOND (2) or FIRST (1) gear, and when the
parking brake is set. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-22.
While the ETS is on, this
warning light will come on
the instrument panel
cluster to show that the
system is not limiting
wheel spin.
SeeEnhanced Traction System Warning Light on
page 3-34. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, the ETS should always be left on. But the
system can be turned off. The ETS should be turned off
if the vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow
and rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck: In
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30.
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