Section |
Page |
2001 Buick Century Owner's Manual |
1 |
|
24 |
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly |
24 |
Adults |
24 |
Driver Position |
24 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
24 |
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster |
26 |
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy |
31 |
Right Front Passenger Position |
32 |
Air Bag Systems |
33 |
How the Air Bag Systems Work |
36 |
Where are the air bags? |
36 |
When should an air bag inflate? |
38 |
What makes an air bag inflate? |
38 |
How does an air bag restrain? |
38 |
What will you see after an air bag inflates? |
39 |
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle |
41 |
Center Passenger Position |
41 |
Lap Belt |
41 |
Rear Seat Passengers |
43 |
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions |
43 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
43 |
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults |
46 |
Children |
48 |
Infants and Young Children |
48 |
Restraint Systems for Children |
52 |
Where to Put the Restraint |
55 |
Top Strap |
56 |
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position |
57 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position |
61 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position |
63 |
Older Children |
67 |
Safety Belt Extender |
70 |
Checking Your Restraint Systems |
70 |
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash |
70 |
Section 2 Features and Controls |
71 |
Windows |
72 |
Power Windows |
73 |
Express- Down Window |
73 |
Keys |
74 |
Door Locks |
76 |
Power Door Locks |
77 |
Programmable Automatic Power Door Locks |
77 |
Programmable Modes |
77 |
Rear-Door Child Security Locks |
79 |
Lockout Protection Feature |
79 |
Leaving Your Vehicle |
79 |
Remote Keyless Entry |
80 |
Operation |
81 |
Instant Alarm |
81 |
Security Feedback |
81 |
Delayed Locking |
83 |
Illumination on Remote Activation |
85 |
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle |
85 |
Battery Replacement |
85 |
Trunk |
87 |
Trunk Lock |
87 |
Remote Trunk Release |
87 |
Trunk Assist Handle (If Equipped) |
88 |
Trunk Release Handle (If Equipped) |
89 |
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit |
89 |
Theft |
90 |
Key in the Ignition |
90 |
Parking at Night |
90 |
Parking Lots |
90 |
PASS-Key II |
91 |
New Vehicle Break-In |
92 |
Ignition Positions |
92 |
Starting Your Engine |
94 |
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) |
95 |
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater |
95 |
Automatic Transaxle Operation |
96 |
Parking Brake |
100 |
Shifting Into PARK (P) |
101 |
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running |
102 |
Torque Lock |
103 |
Shifting Out of PARK (P) |
103 |
Parking Over Things That Burn |
104 |
Engine Exhaust |
104 |
Running Your Engine While You re Parked |
105 |
Horn |
106 |
Tilt Wheel |
106 |
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever |
106 |
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator |
107 |
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer |
107 |
Flash-to-Pass Feature |
108 |
Windshield Wipers |
108 |
Windshield Washer |
108 |
Cruise Control (If Equipped) |
109 |
Setting Cruise Control |
110 |
Resuming a Set Speed |
110 |
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
110 |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
111 |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control |
111 |
Using Cruise Control on Hills |
111 |
Ending Cruise Control |
111 |
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory |
111 |
Exterior Lamps |
112 |
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic Headlamp Control |
112 |
Delayed Headlamp Illumination |
113 |
Interior Lamps |
114 |
Instrument Panel Brightness Control |
114 |
Courtesy Lamps |
114 |
Illuminated Entry |
114 |
Delayed Entry Lighting |
115 |
Delayed Exit Lighting |
115 |
Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps |
115 |
Dome Lamp (If Equipped) |
115 |
Battery Rundown Protection |
116 |
Retained Accessory Power (If Equipped) |
116 |
Mirrors |
116 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror |
116 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped) |
116 |
Electrochromic Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) |
117 |
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped) |
118 |
Power Outside Foldaway Mirrors |
119 |
Convex Outside Mirror |
119 |
Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) |
120 |
Storage Compartments |
120 |
Glove Box |
120 |
Front Storage Armrest |
120 |
Rear Storage Armrest (If Equipped) |
121 |
Trunk Convenience Net (If Equipped) |
121 |
Ashtrays and Lighter |
121 |
Sun Visors |
122 |
Visor Vanity Mirrors |
122 |
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop) |
122 |
OnStar System (If Equipped) |
123 |
Safety and Security Services |
124 |
Premium Services (Includes Safety and Security Services) |
125 |
OnStar System Limitations |
126 |
Sunroof (If Equipped) |
127 |
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System |
128 |
Instrument Panel Cluster |
130 |
Speedometer and Odometer |
131 |
Trip Odometer |
131 |
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators |
131 |
Safety Belt Reminder Light |
132 |
Air Bag Readiness Light |
133 |
Charging System Light |
134 |
Brake System Warning Light |
134 |
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light |
135 |
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light (3100 V6 Engine) |
136 |
Enhanced Traction System Active Light |
136 |
Low Traction Light |
137 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Light |
137 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage |
138 |
Low Coolant Warning Light |
138 |
Low Tire Light |
139 |
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light) |
139 |
If the Light Is Flashing |
140 |
If the Light Is On Steady |
141 |
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs |
142 |
Oil Pressure Light |
142 |
Low Oil Level Light |
143 |
Change Oil Soon Light |
144 |
Security Light |
144 |
Cruise Light |
144 |
Service Vehicle Soon Light |
145 |
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light |
145 |
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light |
145 |
Fuel Gage |
145 |
Low Fuel Light |
146 |
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems |
147 |
Comfort Controls |
148 |
Dual ComforTemp-Climate Control |
148 |
Fan Control Knob |
148 |
Driver s Temperature Lever |
148 |
Passenger s Temperature Lever |
148 |
Mode Knob |
148 |
Heating |
149 |
Heating (Engine Coolant Heater) |
149 |
Air Conditioning |
149 |
Dual Automatic ComforTemp-Climate Control (If Equipped) |
150 |
Automatic Control |
150 |
Temperature Control |
150 |
Passenger s Temperature Control |
151 |
Manual Control |
152 |
Defogging and Defrosting |
153 |
Rear Window Defogger |
154 |
Ventilation System |
155 |
Ventilation Tips |
155 |
Audio Systems |
156 |
Setting the Clock |
156 |
AM-FM Stereo |
156 |
Playing the Radio |
156 |
Finding a Station |
157 |
Setting the Tone |
158 |
Adjusting the Speakers |
158 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped) |
158 |
Playing the Radio |
158 |
Finding a Station |
159 |
Setting the Tone |
160 |
Adjusting the Speakers |
160 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
160 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) |
162 |
Playing the Radio |
162 |
Finding a Station |
162 |
Setting the Tone |
163 |
Adjusting the Speakers |
164 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
164 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) |
166 |
Playing the Radio |
166 |
Finding a Station |
166 |
Setting the Tone |
167 |
Adjusting the Speakers |
168 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
168 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
170 |
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped) |
171 |
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature |
172 |
Unlocking the Theft- Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss |
172 |
Disabling the Theft- Deterrent Feature |
173 |
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) |
174 |
Understanding Radio Reception |
175 |
AM |
175 |
FM Stereo |
175 |
Tips About Your Audio System |
175 |
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player |
176 |
Care of Your Compact Discs |
177 |
Care of Your Compact Disc Player |
177 |
Fixed Mast Antenna |
177 |
Backglass Antenna (If Equipped) |
177 |
Diversity Antenna System (If Equipped) |
178 |
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road |
179 |
Defensive Driving |
180 |
Drunken Driving |
181 |
Control of a Vehicle |
184 |
Braking |
184 |
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) |
185 |
Using Anti- Lock |
187 |
Braking in Emergencies |
187 |
Enhanced Traction System |
187 |
Steering |
189 |
Power Steering |
189 |
Magnetic Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped) |
189 |
Steering Tips |
189 |
Driving on Curves |
189 |
Steering in Emergencies |
190 |
Off-Road Recovery |
191 |
Passing |
191 |
Loss of Control |
193 |
Skidding |
193 |
Driving at Night |
194 |
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads |
195 |
Hydroplaning |
197 |
Driving Through Deep Standing Water |
197 |
Driving Through Flowing Water |
198 |
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips |
198 |
City Driving |
198 |
Freeway Driving |
199 |
Before Leaving on a Long Trip |
201 |
Highway Hypnosis |
201 |
Hill and Mountain Roads |
202 |
Winter Driving |
204 |
Driving on Snow or Ice |
205 |
If You re Caught in a Blizzard |
206 |
Recreational Vehicle Towing |
208 |
Loading Your Vehicle |
208 |
Towing a Trailer |
210 |
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer |
211 |
Weight of the Trailer |
212 |
Weight of the Trailer Tongue |
212 |
Total Weight on Your Vehicle s Tires |
213 |
Hitches |
213 |
Safety Chains |
214 |
Trailer Brakes |
214 |
Driving with a Trailer |
214 |
Following Distance |
214 |
Passing |
214 |
Backing Up |
215 |
Making Turns |
215 |
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer |
215 |
Driving On Grades |
216 |
Parking on Hills |
216 |
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill |
217 |
Maintenance When Trailer Towing |
217 |
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing |
217 |
Section 5 Problems on the Road |
218 |
Hazard Warning Flashers |
219 |
Other Warning Devices |
219 |
Jump Starting |
220 |
Towing Your Vehicle |
225 |
Engine Overheating |
226 |
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode |
226 |
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
227 |
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
228 |
Cooling System |
229 |
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank |
231 |
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator |
234 |
If a Tire Goes Flat |
237 |
Changing a Flat Tire |
238 |
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools |
239 |
Wheel Center Caps |
241 |
Wheel Covers |
241 |
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire |
242 |
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools |
247 |
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools |
248 |
Compact Spare Tire |
249 |
If You re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow |
250 |
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out |
250 |
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care |
251 |
Service |
252 |
Doing Your Own Service Work |
252 |
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle |
253 |
Fuel |
253 |
Fuels in Foreign Countries |
255 |
Filling Your Tank |
255 |
Filling a Portable Fuel Container |
258 |
Checking Things Under the Hood |
258 |
Hood Release |
259 |
Engine Compartment Overview |
260 |
Engine Oil |
261 |
Checking Engine Oil |
261 |
When to Add Engine Oil |
262 |
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use |
263 |
Engine Oil Additives |
264 |
When to Change Engine Oil |
264 |
How to Reset the GM Oil Life System |
265 |
What to Do with Used Oil |
265 |
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter |
266 |
Passenger Compartment Air Filter |
267 |
Automatic Transaxle Fluid |
268 |
When to Check and Change |
268 |
How to Check |
268 |
Checking the Fluid Level |
269 |
How to Add Fluid |
270 |
Engine Coolant |
271 |
What to Use |
272 |
Checking Coolant |
273 |
Adding Coolant |
273 |
Radiator Pressure Cap |
274 |
Power Steering Fluid |
274 |
When to Check Power Steering Fluid |
275 |
How to Check Power Steering Fluid |
275 |
What to Use |
275 |
Windshield Washer Fluid |
276 |
What to Use |
276 |
Adding Washer Fluid |
276 |
Brakes |
277 |
Brake Fluid |
277 |
What to Add |
278 |
Brake Wear |
279 |
Brake Pedal Travel |
280 |
Brake Adjustment |
280 |
Replacing Brake System Parts |
280 |
Battery |
280 |
Vehicle Storage |
281 |
Bulb Replacement |
281 |
Halogen Bulbs |
281 |
Headlamps |
282 |
Headlamp Aiming |
283 |
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamps |
285 |
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp |
286 |
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps |
287 |
Trunk Lid Applique |
288 |
Back-Up Lamps |
289 |
Dome Lamp (If Equipped) |
289 |
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement |
290 |
Tires |
291 |
Inflation -- Tire Pressure |
292 |
When to Check |
292 |
How to Check |
292 |
Tire Inflation Monitor System |
293 |
Tire Inspection and Rotation |
294 |
When It s Time for New Tires |
295 |
Buying New Tires |
296 |
Uniform Tire Quality Grading |
297 |
Treadwear |
297 |
Traction -- AA, A, B, C |
297 |
Temperature -- A, B, C |
297 |
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance |
298 |
Wheel Replacement |
298 |
Used Replacement Wheels |
299 |
Tire Chains |
299 |
Appearance Care |
300 |
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle |
300 |
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet |
300 |
Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner on Fabric |
301 |
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems |
301 |
Cleaning Vinyl |
302 |
Cleaning Leather |
302 |
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel |
302 |
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components |
302 |
Care of Safety Belts |
302 |
Cleaning Glass Surfaces |
303 |
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades |
303 |
Weatherstrips |
303 |
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle |
303 |
Washing Your Vehicle |
304 |
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses |
304 |
Finish Care |
304 |
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped) |
305 |
Cleaning Tires |
305 |
Sheet Metal Damage |
305 |
Finish Damage |
306 |
Underbody Maintenance |
306 |
Chemical Paint Spotting |
306 |
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials |
307 |
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
308 |
Engine Identification |
308 |
Service Parts Identification Label |
308 |
Electrical System |
308 |
Add-On Electrical Equipment |
308 |
Headlamp Wiring |
309 |
Windshield Wipers |
309 |
Power Windows and Other Power Options |
309 |
Fuses and Circuit Breakers |
309 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Block |
309 |
Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger Side |
312 |
Replacement Bulbs |
314 |
Capacities and Specifications |
314 |
Engine Specifications |
315 |
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts |
315 |
Vehicle Dimensions |
315 |
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule |
316 |
Introduction |
317 |
Your Vehicle and the Environment |
317 |
Maintenance Requirements |
317 |
How This Section is Organized |
318 |
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services |
319 |
Using Your Maintenance Schedule |
319 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
320 |
Footnotes |
320 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
321 |
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance |
321 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
322 |
Part B: Owner Checks and Services |
330 |
At Each Fuel Fill |
330 |
Engine Oil Level Check |
330 |
Engine Coolant Level Check |
330 |
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check |
330 |
At Least Once a Month |
330 |
Tire Inflation Check |
330 |
Cassette Deck Service |
330 |
At Least Twice a Year |
331 |
Restraint System Check |
331 |
Wiper Blade Check |
331 |
Weatherstrip Lubrication |
331 |
Automatic Transaxle Check |
331 |
At Least Once a Year |
331 |
Key Lock Cylinders Service |
331 |
Body Lubrication Service |
331 |
Starter Switch Check |
332 |
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check |
332 |
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check |
333 |
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check |
333 |
Underbody Flushing Service |
333 |
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections |
334 |
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection |
334 |
Exhaust System Inspection |
334 |
Engine Cooling System Inspection |
335 |
Throttle System Inspection |
335 |
Brake System Inspection |
335 |
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants |
336 |
Part E: Maintenance Record |
337 |
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information |
340 |
Customer Satisfaction Procedure |
341 |
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users |
342 |
Customer Assistance Offices |
343 |
United States |
343 |
Canada |
343 |
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands) |
343 |
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities |
344 |
Roadside Assistance |
344 |
Canadian Roadside Assistance |
346 |
Courtesy Transportation |
346 |
Plan Ahead When Possible |
346 |
Transportation Options |
346 |
Shuttle Service |
347 |
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement |
347 |
Courtesy Rental Vehicle |
347 |
Additional Program Information |
347 |
Warranty Information |
348 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT |
348 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT |
349 |