2005 BUICK CENTURY radio

Your tape bias is set automatically when a metal or
chrome tape is inserted.
If an error appears on the display, see “Cassette Tape
Messages” later in this section.
1
s(Reverse):Press this pushbutton to reverse
quickly within the tape. The radio will play while the
tape reverses. Press it again to return to playing speed.
2
\(Forward):Press this pushbutton to advance
quickly within the tape. The radio will play while the
tape advances. Press this pushbutton again to return to
playing speed.
6 SIDE:Press this pushbutton to play the other side
of the tape.
©SEEK¨:Your tape must have at least three
seconds of silence between each selection for seek to
work. Press the left or the right arrow to go to the
previous or to the next selection on the tape. SEEK and
a negative or positive number will be displayed.
Pressing the left or right arrow multiple times will
increase the number of selections to be searched
up to -5 or +5. If -5 or +5 is shown on the display the
cassette tape player will fast forward or rewind through
the four selections and stop at the fth selection.To scan cassette tape selections, press and hold either
SEEK arrow for two seconds until SCN appears on
the display. You will hear a beep. The tape will go
to the next selection, play for a few seconds, then
go on to the next selection. The cassette tape will
only scan forward. Press either SEEK arrow again to
stop scanning.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio when
a cassette tape or CD is playing. The inactive
cassette or CD will remain safely inside the radio for
future listening.
CD TAPE:Press this button to play a cassette tape
or a CD when listening to the radio.
Z(Eject):Press this button to eject a tape.
Eject may be activated with either the ignition or
radio off. Cassettes may be loaded with the ignition
or radio off if you press this button rst.
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Cassette Tape Messages
If an error message appears on the display, it could be
for one of the following reasons:
TIGHT TAPE:The tape is tight and the player
cannot turn the tape hubs. Remove the tape.
Hold the tape with the open end down and try to
turn the right hub counterclockwise with a pencil.
Turn the tape over and repeat. If the hubs do
not turn easily, your tape may be damaged and
should not be used in the player. Try a new tape to
make sure your player is working properly.
BROKEN TAPE:The tape is broken. Try a
new tape.
CLEAN PLAYER:If this message appears on the
display, the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned.
It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as
possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player.
SeeCare of Your Cassette Tape Player on page 3-65.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot
be corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays
an error number, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.
CD Adapter Kits
It is possible to use a portable CD player with your
cassette tape player after activating the bypass feature
on your tape player.
To activate the bypass feature, use the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Insert the adapter into the cassette slot.
4. Press and hold the CD TAPE button until READY
appears on the display.
The override feature will remain active until the eject
button is pressed.
Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player will pull it in. The CD should begin playing.
If you want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio
is off, rst press the eject button or DISP.
If you turn off the ignition or radio with a CD in the
player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the
ignition or system, the CD will start playing where
it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
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To scan tracks, press and hold either SEEK arrow for two
seconds until SCAN appears on the display. You will hear
a beep. The CD will go to the next track, play for a few
seconds, then go on to the next track. The sound will
mute and SCAN and the track number will appear on the
display. The CD will only scan forward. Press either
SEEK arrow again to stop scanning.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio when a
cassette tape or CD is playing. The inactive cassette or
CD will remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
CD TAPE:Press this button to play a cassette tape
or a CD when listening to the radio.
Z(Eject):Press this button to eject a tape.
Eject may be activated with either the ignition or
radio off. CDs may be loaded with the ignition or
radio off if you press this button rst.
CD Messages
CHECK CD:If this message appears on the radio
display, it could be for one of the following reasons:
It is very hot. When the temperature returns to
normal, the CD should play.
You are driving on a very rough road. When the
road becomes smooth, the CD should play.
The CD is dirty, scratched, wet, or upside down.
The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour
and try again.
There may have been a problem while burning
the CD.
The label may be caught in the CD player.
If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good CD.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.
3-62

Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
vehicle’s radio. It works by using a secret code to
disable all radio functions whenever battery power is
removed and the radio is placed in a different vehicle.
This feature requires no user input to be activated.
The radio is automatically armed when it is put into the
vehicle for the rst time.
When the ignition is turned off, the blinking red light
indicates that THEFTLOCK
®is armed.
If THEFTLOCK
®is activated, the radio will not operate
if stolen. The radio will display LOCKED and a red
LED indicator light will come on above the key symbol
to indicate a locked condition. If this occurs, the radio will
need to be returned to your GM dealer.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio functions
can be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include
the following:
QSEEKR:Press the up or the down arrow to go to
the next or to the previous radio station. The radio
will only seek stations with a strong signal that are in
the selected band.
When a cassette tape or CD is playing, press the
up or the down arrow to go to the next or the
previous selection.
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SCAN:Press this button until SCAN appears on the
display. The radio will go to the rst preset station on the
pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then go to the
next preset station. Press SCAN again to stop scanning.
The radio will only scan preset stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected band.
AM FM:Press this button to switch between FM1,
FM2, or AM.
When a cassette tape or CD is playing, press this
button to listen to the radio. The inactive tape or CD will
remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to play a cassette
tape or CD when listening to the radio.
MUTE:Press this button to silence the audio system.
Press it again to turn on the sound.
QVOLR(Volume):Press the up or the down arrow
to increase or to decrease the volume.
Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines.
Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise.
FM
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to come and go.
3-64

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and
extreme heat. If they are not, they may not operate
properly or they may cause failure of the tape player.
The tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. The radio may display CLEAN
PLAYER to indicate that the tape player has been used
for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer.
If this message appears on the display, the cassette
tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes,
but it should be cleaned as soon as possible to
prevent damage to the tapes and player. If there is a
reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to
see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If this
other cassette has no improvement in sound quality,
clean the tape player.
For best results, use a scrubbing action, non-abrasive
cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape
head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available
through your dealer.The cut tape detection feature of the cassette tape
player may identify the cleaning cassette tape as
a damaged tape, in error. If the cleaning cassette ejects,
insert the cassette at least three times to ensure
thorough cleaning.
A non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a
cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head
can be used. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner may not
clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner.
The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning
cassette is not recommended.
After the player is cleaned, press and hold the eject
button for ve seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER
indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator
was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the
cassette tape is in good condition before the tape player
is serviced.
3-65

Care of Your CDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from direct
sunlight and dust. If the surface of a CD is soiled,
dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent
solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling CDs. Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your CD Player
The use of CD lens cleaners for CD players is not
advised, due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the
CD optics with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
Chime Level Adjustment
The radio is the vehicle’s chime producer. To change
the volume level, press and hold pushbutton 6 with
the ignition on and the radio power off. The chime
volume level will change from the normal level to loud,
and Loud Chime Vol will appear on the radio display.
To change back to the default or normal setting, press
and hold pushbutton 6 again. The chime level will
change from the loud level to normal, and Soft Chime
Vol will appear on the radio display. Removing the radio
and not replacing it with a factory radio or chime will
disable vehicle chimes.
3-66

Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start the vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N) before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the auxiliary power outlet. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that are not needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the vehicle’s radio!
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