2005 BUICK CENTURY turn signal

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

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

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

5. Remove the rubber access cover from behind the
bulb being replaced.
6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn and remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
7. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical connector
and pull the connector from the headlamp
bulb socket.8. Connect the new headlamp bulb to the electrical
connector, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
9. Insert the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly.
10. Reverse all steps to reassemble the headlamp
assembly, then check the lamps.
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove the rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist the sidemarker lamp socket, located on
the outboard side of the headlamp assembly,
counterclockwise and pull it from the
headlamp assembly.
4. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the
lamp assembly.
5-48

Taillamps, Turn Signal,
and Stoplamps
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the convenience net If the vehicle has one.3. Remove the three plastic wing nuts (A).
One wing nut is located on top of the carpet.
The other two are located underneath the carpet.
4. Pull the taillamp housing (B) away from the body of
the vehicle.
5. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the
socket counterclockwise.
6. Pull out the socket.
7. Pull the old bulb out of the socket. There are
two bulbs on each taillamp.
8. Push in a new bulb.
9. Reverse these steps to reinstall the lamp assembly.
5-50

Back-Up Lamps
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the seven hex nuts (A) from the
lamp covering.
3. Remove the lamp covering.
4. Twist and pull the bulb socket (B) from the
lamp assembly.5. Twist and pull the old bulb from the bulb socket.
6. Twist and push the new bulb into the lamp socket.
7. Twist and push the lamp socket into the
lamp assembly.
8. Reverse Steps 2 and 3 to reinstall the
lamp covering.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-Up Lamps 1156
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)3155
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps4157NAK
High-Beam Headlamps 9005
Low-Beam Headlamps 9006
Taillamps and
Stoplamps/Turn Signal3057
Taillamp 194
For any bulb not listed here contact your dealer.
5-51

Fuses Usage
Blank Not Used
R/LAMPS Taillamps, License Plate Lamps
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
CRUISE Cruise Control
Blank Not Used
CLSTR Instrument Panel Cluster
LTR Cigarette Lighter
STOP LAMPS Stoplamps
ONSTAR OnStar
®
PRK/LGHT Parking Lamps
Blank Not Used
CRNK SIG,
BCM, CLSTRCrank Signal, Body Control Module,
Cluster, Powertrain Control Module
HVACIgnition Signal, Heating, Ventilation,
and Air Conditioning Control Head
BTSI (REGAL) Not Used
AIR BAG Air Bag
Fuses Usage
BCM PWR Body Control Module
HAZARD Hazard Warning Flashers
LH HTD SEAT Not Used
Blank Not Used
BCM ACCYIgnition Signal: Hot in ACCESSORY
and RUN, Body Control Module
Blank Not Used
LOW BLWR Low Blower
ABS Anti-Lock Brakes
TRN SIG Turn Signals, Cornering Lamps
RADIO, HVAC,
RFA, CLSTR
ALDLRadio, Heating Ventilation and
Air Conditioning Head; Remote
Keyless Entry, Cluster
HI BLWR High Blower
RH HTD SEAT Not Used
STR/WHL/
CNTRLAudio Steering Wheel Controls
WPR Windshield Wipers
5-93

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