2005 BUICK CENTURY trailer

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

{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

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

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheated engine warning can indicate a
serious problem.
If there is an overheated engine warning and you do not
see or hear any steam, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If an overheated engine warning appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Adjust the heater to the highest temperature and fan
speed settings and open the window as necessary.
If the overheated engine warnings no longer exist,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warnings do not come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If the warning still
exists,turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicleuntil it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The overheated engine protection operating mode allows
the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine condition exists, this
protection mode alternates ring groups of cylinders to
help prevent engine damage. In this mode, there will be
a signicant loss in power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature gage indicator will move
to the red area, and the engine coolant temperature
warning light will come on, showing that an overheated
engine condition exists. Driving extended miles (km)
and/or towing a trailer in the overheated engine protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
5-26

(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

T
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-50
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-63
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-16
PASS-Key
®II ..............................................2-16
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Tires.............................................................5-53
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-87
Buying New Tires........................................5-64
Chains.......................................................5-68
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-70
Cleaning....................................................5-87
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-81
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-69
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-60
Inspection and Rotation................................5-63
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-73
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-61
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-71
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-79
Tire Sidewall Labelling..................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-57
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-64
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-36
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-36
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Light...................................................3-34
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-21
Trip Odometer................................................3-30
Trunk............................................................2-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
11