2005 BUICK CENTURY Owner's Manual

A
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-90
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning......................................3-18, 3-21
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)......... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-49
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-55
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-58
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-55
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?........................................1-56
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-54
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-66
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-33
Appearance Care............................................5-82
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-87
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-86
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-82
Finish Care.................................................5-86
Finish Damage............................................5-88
Glass Surfaces............................................5-85Appearance Care (cont.)
Instrument Panel.........................................5-85
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-85
Leather......................................................5-84
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-88
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-89
Vinyl..........................................................5-84
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-86
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-87
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-63
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-65
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-66
Care of Your CDs........................................3-66
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-66
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-66
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-44
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-63
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-64
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-21
1

B
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Parking......................................................2-24
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-49
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-96Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-27, 4-26, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-65
Your CD Player...........................................3-66
Your CDs ...................................................3-66
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-49
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-20
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-88
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap...................................................1-37
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-66
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-87
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-86
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-82
Finish Care.................................................5-86
Glass Surfaces............................................5-85
Instrument Panel.........................................5-85
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-85
Leather......................................................5-84
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vinyl..........................................................5-84
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-86
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-87
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-26
Dual..........................................................3-18
Dual Automatic............................................3-21
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-26
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-24
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-81Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-33
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Cooling System..............................................5-27
Cornering Lamps............................................3-15
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-15
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-41
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities.......................................... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors........................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
3

D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System.......................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-16
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-17
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-13
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-16
Door
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Trunk Ajar Warning Light..............................3-42
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-31
Winter........................................................4-26
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-21
Dual Climate Control System............................3-18
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-90
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-91
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-91
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-94
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-39
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-19
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Warning Light.............................................3-34
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
4

Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage...............................................5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-66
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-79
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Front Storage Area.........................................2-33
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-43
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-91
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-94
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-91
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-42
Speedometer..............................................3-30
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-33
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities............................................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-45
5

Headlamp Wiring............................................5-91
Headlamps....................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-14
Delayed.....................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heater...........................................................3-18
Heater...........................................................3-21
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
I
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Ination -- Tire Pressure..................................5-60Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-29
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-54
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-17
Cornering...................................................3-15
Courtesy....................................................3-15
Dome........................................................3-16
Exterior......................................................3-13
Interior.......................................................3-15
Reading.....................................................3-17
6

LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-31
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-33
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-40
Charging System.........................................3-32
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-35
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-43
Low Traction...............................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-41
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-42
Tire Pressure..............................................3-36
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-16
Delayed Exit...............................................3-17
Entry.........................................................3-16Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-43
Low Traction Light..........................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-41
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
7

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