2005 BUICK CENTURY mirror

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in
bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses.
Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night.
But if you are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night.
They may cut down on glare from headlamps, but
they also make a lot of things invisible.
4-16

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
4-21

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-23

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, get to know the
rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle is now a good deal
longer and not nearly as responsive as the vehicle is
by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires, and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check the electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This can
help avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed up ahead when
towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle is a good deal
longer with the trailer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the vehicle you have passed before you
can return to the proper lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-42

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.
SOUNDNot Used
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
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
ACCY PWR
BUSInterior Lamps
DR/ LCK Door Locks
5-92

Underhood Fuse Block
Some fuses and relays are located in the underhood
fuse block on the passenger’s side of the vehicle in the
engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
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
Fuses Usage
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, Audio
Steering Wheel Controls, Body
Control Module, Power Windows,
Sunroof, Heating, Ventilation, and
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)
5-94

Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-36
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-29
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-30
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-30
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-14
O
Odometer......................................................3-30
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-30
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-40
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
®System.............................................2-31
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6Outlet Adjustment............................................3-26
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-30
Power Mirrors.............................................2-30
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-26
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-25
Shifting Out of............................................2-26
Parking
Brake........................................................2-24
Over Things That Burn.................................2-27
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-26
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-Key
®II .................................................2-16
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-91
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-19
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-15
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
8

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-24
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-65
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-66
Care of Your CDs........................................3-66
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-44
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-63
Understanding Reception..............................3-64
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-29
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-29
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-71Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-59
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-58
Replacing Parts...........................................1-59
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-19
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts.........1-19
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-31
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked..........2-28
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-30
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-85
Center Passenger Position............................1-20
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
9