2004 BUICK CENTURY brake

Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Records
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s
performance. Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle
computers to monitor emission control components to
optimize fuel economy, to monitor conditions for
airbag deployment and, if so equipped, to provide
anti-lock braking and to help the driver control the
vehicle in difficult driving situations. Some information
may be stored during regular operations to facilitate
repair of detected malfunctions; other information
is stored only in a crash or near crash event by
computer systems commonly called event data
recorders (EDR).
In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such
as the Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such
as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position,
vehicle speed, seat belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance data, and the severity of a collision. This
information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety.Unlike the data recorders on many airplanes, these
on-board systems do not record sounds, such as
conversation of vehicle occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.
GM will not access information about a crash event or
share it with others other than
with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a specic
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
7-9

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-37
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-97
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-48, 3-55
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-49
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-55
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-58
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-55
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inates?..................................................1-56
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-54
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-52
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-63
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-64
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...............3-33Appearance Care............................................5-88
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-94
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-91
Finish Damage............................................5-93
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-95
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-62
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-63
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-64
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-62
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-63
Automatic Operation........................................3-21
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-22
1

B
Backing Up....................................................4-43
Battery..........................................................5-41
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-9
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Parking......................................................2-25
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brake Fluid....................................................5-38
Brake Wear...................................................5-40
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
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...........................................5-69
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specications..........................5-103
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-39, 2-13, 2-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-63
Your CD Player...........................................3-64
Your CDs ...................................................3-64
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-59
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-59
CD Messages........................................3-52, 3-61
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-53
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-20
Chains, Tires..................................................5-73
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Coolant............................................5-23
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
2

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-37
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-38
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-40
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-8
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-64
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-28
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-98
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lap Belt........................................................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-42
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-27
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-33
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-41
Charging System.........................................3-31
Cruise Control.............................................3-42
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-35
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-44
Low Traction...............................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-42
7

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-32
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-29
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-41
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-40
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-34
OnStar®Services............................................2-33
OnStar®System.............................................2-33
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-34
Operation Tips................................................3-26
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4Outlet Adjustment............................................3-25
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-32
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-25
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Brake........................................................2-25
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Parking on Hills..............................................4-44
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-26
Passenger Control..........................................3-24
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-43
PASS-Key
®II .................................................2-17
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-58
Playing a CD.........................................3-51, 3-60
Playing the Radio...................................3-45, 3-53
9

Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-17
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-97
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-16
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-10
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-25
Radio Data System (RDS).......................3-48, 3-55
Radio Messages.....................................3-51, 3-58
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-63
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-64
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-62
Understanding Reception..............................3-63RDS Messages......................................3-50, 3-57
Reading Lamps..............................................3-16
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-22
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-22
Rear Window Defogger............................3-20, 3-25
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-32
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation............. 2-5
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-13
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-79
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-76
Removing the Wheel Center Caps....................5-78
Removing the Wheel Covers............................5-78
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-41
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash.....................................................1-59
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-10
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
10

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-42
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Light...................................................3-34
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Trunk............................................................2-13
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-14
Trunk Lock....................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44U
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-100
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-70
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-73
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-89
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-34
Service Soon Light......................................3-42
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Records............................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-96
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-96
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-41
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-25
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-17
Visors...........................................................2-17
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