BUICK CENTURY 2004 Owners Manual

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right
foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your
left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-39. That section shows what
to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
2-25

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 rmly 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 will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Pull the shift lever toward you.
2-26

Move the shift lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the 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 rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine running, be sure it is
in PARK (P) and the parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever
into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever out of PARK (P). If
you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked
into PARK (P).
2-27

Torque Lock
If parking the vehicle on a hill and the transaxle is not
shifted into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle
may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transaxle. It might be difficult to pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before leaving the driver’s seat. To
nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, another vehicle might have to
push yours a little uphill. This takes some of the
pressure off the parking pawl in the transaxle, enabling
the shift lever to be moved out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
The vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control
system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P) when
the ignition is in the OFF position. The regular brakes
have to be fully applied before the vehicle can be shifted
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-22.
If the vehicle cannot be shifted out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift
lever all the way up into PARK (P) as brake application
is maintained. Then move the shift lever into the
desired gear.
If the brake pedal is held down but still cannot be
shifted out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. There is no
shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the desired gear.
5. Have the system xed as soon as possible.
2-28

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-29

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{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 rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are 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 will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
2-30

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when
sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To reduce glare from other vehicles’ headlamps, pull the
lever at the bottom of the mirror, to the night position.
To return the mirror to the day position, push the lever.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
The vehicle may have a mirror with Onstar®. It has a
lever located at the bottom between the two lamps.
To reduce glare from other vehicles’ headlamps, pull the
lever to the night position. For the day position, push
the lever to its original position.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button located next to each lamp
to turn it on or off.There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-33for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-31

Outside Power Mirrors
The power mirror controls
are located on the driver’s
door armrest.
To choose either the left or right outside mirror, move
the selector switch located above the control pad to the
left or the right. Then use the four-way arrows located
on the control pad to move the mirrors in the desired
direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
Outside Convex Mirror
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-32

OnStar®System
OnStar®uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and call centers
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information and convenience services.
A complete OnStar
®user’s guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in your vehicle’s glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com,
contact OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the blue OnStar®button to speak to an
OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required
prior to delivery of OnStar
®services and prepaid
calling minutes are also required for OnStar®Personal
Calling and OnStar®Virtual Advisor use. Terms and
conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be
found at www.onstar.com.
OnStar®Services
One of the following plans is normally included for a
specic duration with each vehicle equipped with
OnStar
®. You can upgrade or extend your OnStar®
service plan to meet your needs.
Safe and Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Air Bag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock
Remote Diagnostics
Online Concierge
Directions and Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan services
Route Support
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
2-33

Luxury and Leisure Plan

All Directions and Connections Plan services
Personal Concierge
OnStar®Personal Calling
With OnStar®Personal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless
phone that’s integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts and no additional roaming charges. To nd out
more about OnStar
®Personal Calling, refer to the
OnStar®user’s guide in your vehicle’s glove box, or call
OnStar®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
With OnStar®Virtual Advisor you can listen to the news,
entertainment and informative topics, such as traffic
and weather reports. You are able to listen and reply to
your e-mail through your vehicle’s speakers.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box.
To open the glove box, lift the latch on its door.
Front Storage Area
To use the storage area, fold down the armrest located
in the center front seat. Press the latch on the front
edge and pull up to access the storage area.
2-34