Section |
Page |
2002 Buick Century Owner's Manual |
1 |
Copyright General Motors Corp 2001 |
2 |
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual: |
3 |
How to Use this Manual |
4 |
Safety Warnings and Symbols |
4 |
Vehicle Damage Warnings |
5 |
Vehicle Symbols |
5 |
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems |
7 |
Seats and Seat Controls |
8 |
Two-Way Manual Front Seats |
8 |
Six-Way Power Seats (If Equipped) |
9 |
Reclining Front Seatbacks |
9 |
Head Restraints |
11 |
Split Folding Rear Seat (If Equipped) |
11 |
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone |
12 |
Why Safety Belts Work |
13 |
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers |
16 |
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly |
17 |
Adults |
17 |
Driver Position |
18 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
18 |
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster |
20 |
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy |
25 |
Right Front Passenger Position |
26 |
Air Bag Systems |
26 |
How the Air Bag Systems Work |
29 |
Where are the air bags? |
29 |
When should an air bag inflate? |
31 |
What makes an air bag inflate? |
31 |
How does an air bag restrain? |
32 |
What will you see after an air bag inflates? |
32 |
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle |
34 |
Center Passenger Position |
34 |
Lap Belt |
34 |
Rear Seat Passengers |
36 |
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions |
36 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
36 |
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults |
39 |
Children |
41 |
Infants and Young Children |
41 |
Restraint Systems for Children |
45 |
Where to Put the Restraint |
48 |
Top Strap |
49 |
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) |
51 |
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System |
53 |
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position |
53 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position |
56 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position |
58 |
Older Children |
61 |
Safety Belt Extender |
64 |
Checking Your Restraint Systems |
64 |
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash |
64 |
Section 2 Features and Controls |
65 |
Windows |
66 |
Power Windows |
67 |
Express-Down Window |
67 |
Keys |
68 |
Door Locks |
70 |
Power Door Locks |
71 |
Programmable Automatic Power Door Locks |
71 |
Programmable Modes |
71 |
Rear-Door Child Security Locks |
73 |
Lockout Protection Feature |
73 |
Leaving Your Vehicle |
73 |
Remote Keyless Entry |
74 |
Operation |
75 |
Panic Alarm |
75 |
Security Feedback |
75 |
Delayed Locking |
78 |
Illumination on Remote Activation |
79 |
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle |
79 |
Battery Replacement |
80 |
Trunk |
81 |
Trunk Lock |
81 |
Remote Trunk Release |
81 |
Trunk Assist Handle (If Equipped) |
82 |
Trunk Release Handle (If Equipped) |
83 |
Trunk Release Sensor TrapAlert_ System (If Equipped) |
84 |
Disabling the Trunk Release Sensor |
85 |
Servicing the Trunk Release Sensor |
85 |
Theft |
86 |
Key in the Ignition |
86 |
Parking at Night |
86 |
Parking Lots |
86 |
PASS-Key II |
87 |
New Vehicle "Break-In" |
88 |
Ignition Positions |
88 |
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) (If Equipped) |
89 |
Starting Your Engine |
90 |
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) |
91 |
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater |
91 |
Automatic Transaxle Operation |
92 |
Parking Brake |
96 |
Shifting Into PARK (P) |
97 |
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running |
98 |
Torque Lock |
98 |
Shifting Out of PARK (P) |
99 |
Parking Over Things That Burn |
99 |
Engine Exhaust |
100 |
Running Your Engine While You're Parked |
100 |
Horn |
101 |
Tilt Wheel |
101 |
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever |
102 |
Turn and Lane-Change Signals |
102 |
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer |
103 |
Flash-to-Pass Feature |
103 |
Windshield Wipers |
103 |
Windshield Washer |
104 |
Cruise Control (If Equipped) |
105 |
Setting Cruise Control |
105 |
Resuming a Set Speed |
106 |
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Using Cruise Control on Hills |
106 |
Ending Cruise Control |
107 |
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory |
107 |
Exterior Lamps |
107 |
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic Headlamp Control |
108 |
Delayed Headlamp Illumination |
109 |
Interior Lamps |
110 |
Instrument Panel Brightness Control |
110 |
Courtesy Lamps |
110 |
Illuminated Entry |
110 |
Delayed Entry Lighting |
110 |
Delayed Exit Lighting |
111 |
Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps |
111 |
Dome Lamp (If Equipped) |
111 |
Battery Rundown Protection |
111 |
Mirrors |
112 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror |
112 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped) |
112 |
Electrochromic Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) |
113 |
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped) |
113 |
Power Outside Foldaway Rearview Mirrors |
114 |
Convex Outside Mirror |
115 |
Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped) |
115 |
Storage Compartments |
116 |
Glove Box |
116 |
Front Storage Armrest |
116 |
Rear Storage Armrest (If Equipped) |
116 |
Center Console (Option) |
116 |
Convenience Net (If Equipped) |
117 |
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter |
117 |
Sun Visors |
118 |
Visor Vanity Mirrors |
118 |
Lighted Vanity Mirrors (Option) |
118 |
Auxiliary Power Outlet (If Equipped) |
118 |
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop) |
120 |
OnStar System (If Equipped) |
121 |
Cellular Antenna |
122 |
OnStar Services |
122 |
OnStar System Limitations |
124 |
Sunroof (Option) |
125 |
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System |
126 |
Instrument Panel Cluster |
128 |
Speedometer and Odometer |
129 |
Trip Odometer |
129 |
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators |
130 |
Safety Belt Reminder Light |
130 |
Air Bag Readiness Light |
131 |
Charging System Light |
132 |
Brake System Warning Light |
132 |
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light |
133 |
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light |
134 |
Low Traction Light |
135 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Light |
135 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage |
136 |
Low Coolant Warning Light |
136 |
Low Tire Light |
137 |
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light) |
137 |
If the Light Is Flashing |
138 |
If the Light Is On Steady |
139 |
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs |
140 |
Oil Pressure Light |
140 |
Low Oil Level Light |
141 |
Change Oil Soon Light |
142 |
Security Light |
142 |
Cruise Light |
143 |
Service Vehicle Soon Light |
143 |
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light |
143 |
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light |
143 |
Fuel Gage |
144 |
Low Fuel Light |
144 |
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems |
145 |
Comfort Controls |
146 |
Dual ComforTemp_ Climate Control |
146 |
FAN: |
146 |
DRIVER (Driver's Side Temperature): |
146 |
PASSENGER (Passenger's Side Temperature): |
146 |
Mode Knob |
147 |
Dual Automatic ComforTemp_ Climate Control (If Equipped) |
148 |
Manual Control |
148 |
Heating |
150 |
Heating (Engine Coolant Heater) |
151 |
Air Conditioning |
151 |
Defogging and Defrosting |
151 |
Rear Window Defogger |
152 |
Ventilation System |
153 |
Ventilation Tips |
153 |
Audio Systems |
154 |
Setting the Clock |
154 |
AM-FM Stereo |
154 |
Playing the Radio |
154 |
Finding a Station |
155 |
Setting Preset Stations |
155 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
156 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
156 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped) |
156 |
Playing the Radio |
156 |
Finding a Station |
157 |
Setting Preset Stations |
157 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
158 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
158 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
158 |
Cassette Tape Messages |
160 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) |
160 |
Playing the Radio |
161 |
Finding a Station |
161 |
Setting Preset Stations |
162 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
162 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
163 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
163 |
Cassette Tape Messages |
164 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) |
165 |
Playing the Radio |
165 |
Finding a Station |
165 |
Setting Preset Stations |
166 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
167 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
167 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
167 |
Cassette Tape Messages |
169 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
169 |
Compact Disc Messages |
170 |
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped) |
171 |
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature |
171 |
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss |
172 |
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature |
172 |
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) |
173 |
Understanding Radio Reception |
174 |
AM |
174 |
FM Stereo |
174 |
Tips About Your Audio System |
174 |
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player |
175 |
Care of Your Compact Discs |
176 |
Care of Your Compact Disc Player |
176 |
Fixed Mast Antenna |
176 |
Backglass Antenna (If Equipped) |
176 |
Diversity Antenna System (If Equipped) |
177 |
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road |
178 |
Defensive Driving |
179 |
Drunken Driving |
180 |
Control of a Vehicle |
183 |
Braking |
183 |
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) |
184 |
Using Anti-Lock |
186 |
Braking in Emergencies |
186 |
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) |
186 |
Steering |
188 |
Power Steering |
188 |
Magnetic Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped) |
188 |
Steering Tips |
188 |
Driving on Curves |
188 |
Steering in Emergencies |
189 |
Off-Road Recovery |
190 |
Passing |
190 |
Loss of Control |
192 |
Skidding |
192 |
Driving at Night |
193 |
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads |
194 |
Hydroplaning |
196 |
Driving Through Deep Standing Water |
196 |
Driving Through Flowing Water |
197 |
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips |
197 |
City Driving |
197 |
Freeway Driving |
198 |
Before Leaving on a Long Trip |
199 |
Highway Hypnosis |
200 |
Hill and Mountain Roads |
201 |
Winter Driving |
203 |
Driving on Snow or Ice |
204 |
If You're Caught in a Blizzard |
205 |
Recreational Vehicle Towing |
207 |
Dinghy Towing |
207 |
Dolly Towing |
208 |
Loading Your Vehicle |
208 |
Towing a Trailer |
210 |
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer |
211 |
Weight of a Trailer |
212 |
Weight of the Trailer Tongue |
213 |
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires |
213 |
Hitches |
214 |
Safety Chains |
214 |
Trailer Brakes |
214 |
Driving with a Trailer |
215 |
Following Distance |
215 |
Passing |
215 |
Backing Up |
215 |
Making Turns |
216 |
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer |
216 |
Driving On Grades |
217 |
Parking on Hills |
217 |
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill |
218 |
Maintenance When Trailer Towing |
218 |
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing |
218 |
Section 5 Problems on the Road |
219 |
Hazard Warning Flashers |
220 |
Other Warning Devices |
220 |
Jump Starting |
221 |
Towing Your Vehicle |
227 |
Engine Overheating |
227 |
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode |
227 |
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
228 |
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
229 |
Cooling System |
230 |
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank |
232 |
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 |
Removing the Wheel Center Caps |
241 |
Removing the Wheel Covers (If Equipped) |
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 |
Gasoline Octane |
253 |
Gasoline Specifications |
254 |
California Fuel |
254 |
Additives |
254 |
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 (GM Oil Life System) |
264 |
How to Reset the CHANGE OIL SOON Light |
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 |
269 |
Checking the Fluid Level |
270 |
How to Add Fluid |
271 |
Engine Coolant |
272 |
What to Use |
273 |
Checking Coolant |
274 |
Adding Coolant |
274 |
Radiator Pressure Cap |
275 |
Power Steering Fluid |
275 |
When to Check Power Steering Fluid |
276 |
How to Check Power Steering Fluid |
276 |
What to Use |
276 |
Windshield Washer Fluid |
277 |
What to Use |
277 |
Adding Washer Fluid |
277 |
Brakes |
278 |
Brake Fluid |
278 |
What to Add |
279 |
Brake Wear |
280 |
Brake Pedal Travel |
280 |
Brake Adjustment |
281 |
Replacing Brake System Parts |
281 |
Battery |
281 |
Vehicle Storage |
282 |
Bulb Replacement |
282 |
Halogen Bulbs |
282 |
Headlamps |
283 |
Headlamp Aiming |
284 |
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamps |
286 |
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp |
287 |
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps |
288 |
Back-Up Lamps |
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 |
298 |
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance |
298 |
Wheel Replacement |
298 |
Used Replacement Wheels |
299 |
Tire Chains |
300 |
Appearance Care |
300 |
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle |
301 |
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet |
301 |
Using Cleaner on Fabric |
301 |
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems |
302 |
Cleaning Vinyl |
302 |
Cleaning Leather |
302 |
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel |
303 |
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components |
303 |
Care of Safety Belts |
303 |
Cleaning Glass Surfaces |
303 |
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades |
304 |
Weatherstrips |
304 |
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle |
304 |
Washing Your Vehicle |
304 |
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses |
305 |
Finish Care |
305 |
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped) |
306 |
Cleaning Tires |
306 |
Sheet Metal Damage |
306 |
Finish Damage |
307 |
Underbody Maintenance |
307 |
Chemical Paint Spotting |
307 |
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials |
308 |
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
309 |
Engine Identification |
309 |
Service Parts Identification Label |
309 |
Electrical System |
310 |
Add-On Electrical Equipment |
310 |
Headlamp Wiring |
310 |
Windshield Wipers |
310 |
Power Windows and Other Power Options |
310 |
Fuses and Circuit Breakers |
311 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Block |
311 |
Underhood Fuse Block |
314 |
Replacement Bulbs |
316 |
Capacities and Specifications |
316 |
Engine Specifications |
316 |
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity |
317 |
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts |
317 |
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule |
318 |
Introduction |
319 |
Your Vehicle and the Environment |
319 |
Maintenance Requirements |
319 |
How This Section is Organized |
320 |
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services |
321 |
Using Your Maintenance Schedule |
321 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
322 |
Footnotes |
322 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
323 |
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance |
323 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
324 |
Part B: Owner Checks and Services |
332 |
At Each Fuel Fill |
332 |
Engine Oil Level Check |
332 |
Engine Coolant Level Check |
332 |
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check |
332 |
At Least Once a Month |
332 |
Tire Inflation Check |
332 |
Cassette Deck Service |
332 |
At Least Twice a Year |
333 |
Restraint System Check |
333 |
Wiper Blade Check |
333 |
Weatherstrip Lubrication |
333 |
Automatic Transaxle Check |
333 |
At Least Once a Year |
333 |
Key Lock Cylinders Service |
333 |
Body Lubrication Service |
333 |
Starter Switch Check |
334 |
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check |
334 |
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check |
335 |
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check |
335 |
Underbody Flushing Service |
335 |
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections |
336 |
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection |
336 |
Exhaust System Inspection |
336 |
Fuel System Inspection |
337 |
Engine Cooling System Inspection |
337 |
Throttle System Inspection |
337 |
Brake System Inspection |
337 |
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants |
338 |
Part E: Maintenance Record |
340 |
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information |
346 |
Customer Satisfaction Procedure |
347 |
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users |
349 |
Customer Assistance Offices |
349 |
United States |
349 |
Canada |
350 |
All Overseas Locations |
350 |
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands) |
350 |
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities |
350 |
Roadside Assistance |
351 |
Canadian Roadside Assistance |
352 |
Courtesy Transportation |
353 |
Plan Ahead When Possible |
353 |
Transportation Options |
353 |
Shuttle Service |
353 |
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement |
354 |
Courtesy Rental Vehicle |
354 |
Additional Program Information |
354 |
Warranty Information |
355 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT |
355 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT |
356 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS |
356 |
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION |
357 |
Service Manuals |
357 |
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual |
357 |
Service Bulletins |
357 |
Owner's Information |
357 |