BUICK CENTURY 1999 Owner's Manual

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Bulb Replacement
In this section you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs on your vehicle. See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the
Index to find the type of bulb you should use.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retainers to release the
assembly locator tabs.
3. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.
4. Remove the bulb socket from the
headlamp assembly.

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5. Remove the rubber access cover (from behind the
bulb you are replacing).
6. Quarter twist and turn the bulb socket and remove it
from the lamp.
7. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the headlamp
bulb socket.8. Connect the new headlamp bulb to the wiring harness,
making sure the connector tab snaps into place.
9. Insert the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly.
10. Reverse all steps and reassemble the headlamp
assembly, then check the lamps.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with
horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been
pre
-set at the factory and should need no further
adjustment. This is true even though your vertical and
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the ª0º
(zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim),
or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you (for
vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps need to be
re
-aimed, we recommend that you take it to your dealer
for service; however, it is possible for you to re
-aim
your headlamps as described in the following procedure.

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NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.

If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver's seat.

Close all doors.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.
Driver's Side Headlamp Shown
A. Vertical aim adjustment screw
B. Horizontal aim adjustment screw
Open the hood and locate the vertical and horizontal aim
indicators. The aiming screw for the vertical aim
indicator is at the center of the headlamp cover (A) and
the aiming screw for the horizontal aim indicator is on
the outboard side of the headlamp cover (B).

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Passenger's Side Headlamp Shown
B. Horizontal aim adjustment screw
C. Horizontal block index plate
D. Vertical aiming level
Start with the horizontal aim. The adjustment screws can
be turned with an E8 Torx

socket.Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.
1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the indicator
is lined up with zero.
2. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the level bubble
is lined up with zero.
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove the rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist and pull the sidemarker lamp socket
counterclockwise from the headlamp assembly.
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb from
the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Put the socket back into the headlamp assembly and
turn it clockwise until it is secure.
7. Replace the rubber bulb access cover.
8. Replace the headlamp assembly.

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6-35 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one-quarter of a
turn counterclockwise.
4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the bulb one
-quarter of a turn clockwise
to replace.
6. Close the trunk.

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6-36 Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the plastic wing nuts (A). (Pliers may be
required to remove the wing nuts.)
2. Pull the taillamp housing (B) away from the body of
the vehicle.
3. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the
socket counterclockwise.
4. Pull out the socket.
5. Pull the bulb out of the socket. (There are two bulbs
on each taillamp.)
6. Push in a new bulb.
7. Replace the socket into the housing and
turn clockwise.
8. Replace the taillamp housing to the body of
the vehicle.
9. Install and tighten the three plastic wing nuts.

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6-37 Trunk Lid Applique
1. Open the trunk lid halfway.
2. Remove the wing nuts (A) from the studs on the
applique. (There are eight wing nuts. Pliers may be
required to remove them.)
3. Remove the applique from the trunk lid.
4. Turn the sockets (B) counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
6. Push in the new bulb.
7. Replace the socket in the housing and
turn clockwise.
8. Connect the applique to the lid.
9. Reconnect the wing nuts to the studs on the
applique and hand
-tighten.
10. Close the trunk lid.

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6-38 Back-Up Lamp
The back-up lamps are located in the trunk lid applique.
(Refer to the trunk lid applique removal procedure earlier
in this section for graphic and further instructions.)
1. Remove the trunk lid applique.
2. Twist and pull the back
-up lamp socket from the
trunk lid applique.
3. Twist and pull the bulb from the back
-up
lamp socket.
To install the new bulb:
1. Twist and push the bulb into the back
-up
lamp socket.
2. Twist and push the back
-up lamp socket into the
trunk lid applique.
3. Reinstall the trunk lid applique.
Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
1. Grasp the front center and rear center positions of the
dome lamp housing and squeeze together until the
housing releases from the base plate. A screwdriver
may be necessary to pry the assembly loose.
2. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the dome
lamp assembly.
3. Grasp the bulb housing located in the center of the
assembly and pull straight up.
4. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
5. Push in a new bulb.
6. Replace the socket into the dome lamp assembly.
7. Reconnect the dome lamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
8. Reposition the dome lamp assembly to the roof, and
gently push the assembly into the base plate.

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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in Section 7 of this manual under Part B ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº for more information.
1. Turn on the wipers to the low
-wipe setting.
2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the
outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades are
more accessible for removal/replacement while in
this position.
3. Pull the windshield wiper arm 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to
10 cm) away from the windshield.
4. While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push the release clip from under the windshield
wiper arm connecting point and slide the blade
assembly down toward the glass to remove it from
the wiper arm.
5. Slide the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release clip ªclickº into place.
For wiper blade replacement length and type, see
ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index.

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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Buick Warranty booklet for details.CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden impact
--
such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.