tow BUICK CENTURY 1998 User Guide

yellowblue
2-26
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than approximately 35 mph (55 km/h),
push your accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
). Here
are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
):

when driving on hilly, winding roads,

when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears, or

when going down a steep hill.SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(
) or THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It
can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.

yellowblue
2-28
Releasing the parking brake: You will need to use the
PUSH TO RELEASE parking brake pedal. Hold the
regular brake pedal down and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. This will release the parking
brake. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will follow it to the release position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the brake
light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the
parking brake or recycle the ignition.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

yellowblue
2-29
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Hold in the button on the lever.

Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).

yellowblue
2-30 Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's
seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index,
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in the Index.

yellowblue
2-33
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver's armrest control each of the
windows while the ignition is on or retained accessory
power is active. In addition, the passenger's door
armrest has a switch for its own window.
To lower the passenger's window, pull back on the right
switch. The window will lower as long as the switch is
held. To raise either window, push the switch forward.

yellowblue
2-34
Express-Down Window
The switch for the driver's window has an express
-down
feature. When the driver's AUTO switch is held
rearward, the window will automatically lower
completely. To stop the window while it is lowering,
press the switch again and then release. The window can
be opened in smaller amounts by pressing the switch
rearward and releasing it immediately. To raise the
window, hold the switch forward.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center of the steering
wheel is an active horn pad. Press the horn anywhere on
the steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.

yellowblue
2-36
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse and check for burned
-out
bulbs. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
Turn Signal Reminder
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile,
a chime will sound. To turn off the chime, move the turn
signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the turn signal lever toward you until you
hear a click. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel will also
be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you a little,
but not so far that you hear a click.
Your high
-beam headlamps will stay on as long as you
hold the lever toward you. The high
-beam indicator on
the dash will also come on. Release the lever to turn the
high
-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers

yellowblue
2-41

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Interior Courtesy Lamps
Pull the knob toward you to the first setting to turn on
the parking lamps and other operating lamps without the
headlamps. Pull the knob toward you to the second
setting to turn on the headlamps as well as the other
operating lamps.
Turn the knob from left to right to control brightness of
the instrument panel lights.
Lamps On Reminder
If the headlamp switch is left on, you'll hear a warning
chime when you turn the ignition off, remove the key
from the ignition and open the driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:

the ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will turn off and your low
-beam and parking
lamps will become active. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on. When it's bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your
high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.

yellowblue
2-42
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lamps at night when you are in
PARK (P), turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control, located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch, all the way toward AUTO MIN. When
released, the spring control will return to the twilight
sentinel minimum delay position, and all exterior lamps
will turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps (Option)
The cornering lamps are designed to come on when you
signal a turn. This will provide more light for cornering
at night.
Twilight Sentinel

Twilight sentinel turns your headlamps, taillamps and
parking lamps on and off by sensing how dark it is
outside. The control is located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch.To operate this feature, leave the headlamp switch off.
The vehicle's twilight sentinel is always enabled.
Twenty
-three seconds after entering a darkened
environment, the headlamps and parking lamps will turn
on. If the ignition is turned on at night, the exterior
lamps will come on.
To turn off all exterior lamps at night when you are in
PARK (P), turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control, located on the lower area of the
headlamp switch, all the way toward AUTO MIN. When
released, the spring control will return to the twilight
sentinel minimum delay position, and all exterior lamps
will turn off.
If you move the control all the way to AUTO MAX,
your lamps will remain on for three minutes after you
turn off your engine. If you move the control toward
AUTO MIN, the lamps will go off quickly when you
turn off your engine. You can set this delay time for only
a few seconds or up to three minutes.
Light Sensor
Your twilight sentinel and daytime running lamps work
with the light sensor on top of the instrument panel.
Don't cover it up. If you do, it will read ªdarkº and the
headlamps will come on.

yellowblue
2-46
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lights
behind you. Pull the tab toward you for night use; push
it away from you for daytime use.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
(Option)
Your vehicle may have an automatic electrochromic
day/night rearview mirror.
When this feature is turned on, the mirror automatically
changes to reduce glare from headlamps behind you. A
photocell on the mirror senses when it is becoming dark
outside. Another photocell built into the mirror face
senses when headlamps are behind you.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare (this change may take a
few seconds). The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the glare is reduced.