2005 BUICK CENTURY parking brake

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is
fully released, it means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while the vehicle is being driven,
pull off the road and stop carefully. The pedal may
be harder to push, or it may go closer to the oor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light will
come on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to RUN. If the anti-lock brake system warning light
stays on longer than normal after the engine has been
started, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and
stays on while the vehicle is being driven, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the anti-lock brake system
needs service. If the light is on and the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the vehicle still has brakes,
but it does not have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when the ignition key is turned to RUN. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.United States
Canada
3-33

Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If the vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction
System, (ETS) the warning
light may come on for
the following reasons:
When the vehicle is shifted to SECOND (2) or
FIRST (1). To turn the system back on, shift
to THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
If the vehicle needs service. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When the parking brake is set with the engine
running, and the parking brake does not release fully.
After the parking brake is fully released and the
transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2). This means there is a
problem with the system.
If an engine-related problem affects the ETS and
turns the system off.
When the ETS warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Low Traction Light
If the vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction System
(ETS), this light will
come on when the system
is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. Slippery road conditions may exist if the
low traction light comes on, so adjust your driving
accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds after
the ETS stops limiting wheel spin. SeeEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
The low traction light also comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned to RUN. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed so it will function properly to
indicate when the Enhanced Traction System is active.
3-34

The ETS operates in THIRD (3) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (
X). If the vehicle is in THIRD (3),
the system can upshift the transaxle to AUTOMATIC
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 2-21.
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.To turn the system off, move the gear shift lever to
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) gear. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. When the system is
turned off, the TRAC OFF warning light will come on
and stay on. If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when
the system is turned off, the TRAC OFF light will
come on – but the ETS will not turn off right away.
It will continue to operate until there is no longer a
need to limit wheel spin.
4-10

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you
will want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip
on page 4-22.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” that follows
for more information.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the
ignition key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position.
5. Release the parking brake.
4-37

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When towing a trailer, the vehicle may need a different
turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check with your
dealer. The arrows on the instrument panel will ash
whenever signaling a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other
drivers you are about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. You may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It is important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long hill or steep downgrade. If the vehicle is not
shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
If towing a trailer, you may want to drive in THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X). Shift to
a lower gear as needed.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if the rig ever has to be parked on a hill, here is
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer’s wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply the parking
brake, and shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-43

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start the engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle will need service more often when it pulls a
trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle uid; which
should not be overlled; engine oil, drive belt, cooling
system, and brake system. Each of these is covered
in this manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If trailering, it is a good idea to review this
information before starting on a trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
4-44

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-27Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps................5-48
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-50
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-53
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-63
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transaxle
uid dipstick handle is the
black loop located
toward the rear of the
engine. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
5-20