
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-6
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Airbag System
.........................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-29
OnStar
®System
......................................2-31
Storage Areas
.........................................2-33
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-28
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-44Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-36
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-45
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-52
Tires
......................................................5-53
Appearance Care
.....................................5-82
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-90
Electrical System
......................................5-90
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-96
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2005 Buick Century Owner ManualM

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, seeOlder Children on page 1-27
orInfants and Young Children on page 1-30. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you will want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We will start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to
wear it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight.
To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Do not let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
1-12

If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact air bag is
in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block
the in ation path of a side impact airbag.
1-53

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Trunk..........................................................2-12
Windows........................................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-16
PASS-Key
®II ...............................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-17
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-17
Ignition Positions..........................................2-18
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-19Starting Your Engine.....................................2-19
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-20
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-21
Parking Brake..............................................2-24
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-25
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-26
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-27
Engine Exhaust............................................2-27
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-28
Mirrors...........................................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-29
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-30
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-30
OnStar
®System.............................................2-31
Storage Areas................................................2-33
Glove Box...................................................2-33
Front Storage Area.......................................2-33
Convenience Net..........................................2-33
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

The vehicle has two keys that are used for
separate functions.
The ignition key is for the
ignition only.
The door key is for
the driver door and all
other locks.The keys have unique codes embedded in them to help
prevent theft. SeePASS-Key®II on page 2-16for
more information.
Your dealer or Buick Roadside Assistance can provide
the correct codes for the keys. Contact your dealer
or seeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for
more information.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If the vehicle has the OnStar
®system with an active
subscription, and the keys were locked inside, a
command could be sent by the OnStar
®system to
unlock the vehicle. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-31
for more information.
2-3

Remote Keyless Entry
System Operation
The remote keyless entry transmitter enables the
vehicle’s doors to be locked and unlocked, or the trunk
lid to be released, from about 3 feet (1 m) and up to
30 feet (9 m) away.
LOCK:Press the LOCK
button to lock all the doors.
UNLOCK:Press the UNLOCK button to unlock the
driver door and turn on the interior lamps. See
“Illumination on Remote Activation” later in this section
for more details. Press UNLOCK again to unlock
the passenger doors.
F(Trunk Release):To release the trunk lid, press
this button. The trunk will only unlock if the transaxle
is in PARK (P).
L(Remote Alarm):Press this button to activate an
alarm. The ignition must be in OFF or ACCESSORY for
the remote alarm to work. When the remote alarm
button is pressed, the headlamps will ash, the horn will
sound repeatedly, and the interior lamps will turn on.
The alarms will turn off when one of the following occurs:
The remote alarm button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter is pressed a second time.
The ignition is moved to RUN.
The alarms have been on for about two minutes.
Security Feedback
The remote keyless entry transmitter can be
programmed so that when the LOCK or UNLOCK
button is pressed, the vehicle gives visual or audible
feedback con rmation. Each lock or unlock command
veri cation must be programmed individually. The
ignition must be OFF for this feature to work.
Disconnecting the vehicle’s battery for up to a year will
not affect the programmed mode.
2-5