2005 BUICK CENTURY check oil

Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over
a year. However, your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system. It is also important to check
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-16

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air;
it helps to stop ame if the engine backres.
If it is not there and the engine backres,
you could be burned. Do not drive with it off,
and be careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions,
change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-19

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench dealer.
6-2

Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on, it means
that service is required for your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be reset. Your GM
Goodwrench dealer has GM-trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine GM parts
and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHANGE OIL SOON light appears, certain
services, checks and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that your rst service be MaintenanceI,
your second service be MaintenanceIIand that you
alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay be
required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the light comes
on within ten months since vehicle was purchased or
MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light comes on ten months
or more since the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.An Emission Control Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-53.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transaxle uid level and add uid as needed.•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (g).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
6-5

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-22for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for
further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-9

D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System.......................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-16
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-17
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-13
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-16
Door
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Trunk Ajar Warning Light..............................3-42
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-31
Winter........................................................4-26
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-21
Dual Climate Control System............................3-18
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-90
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-91
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-91
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-94
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-39
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-19
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Warning Light.............................................3-34
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
4

LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-31
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-33
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-40
Charging System.........................................3-32
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-35
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-43
Low Traction...............................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-41
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-42
Tire Pressure..............................................3-36
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-16
Delayed Exit...............................................3-17
Entry.........................................................3-16Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-43
Low Traction Light..........................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-41
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
7