check engine light BUICK CENTURY 2004 User Guide

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil change
and replace at the rst oil change after 25,000 miles
(40 000 km).
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove it from the
vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new
lter is required.
To check or replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the
following:
1. Loosen the screw and clamp on the air duct.2. Lift the two clips
located on the top of
the lter assembly
to unlock the cover.
3. Disconnect the duct and reposition it while removing
the cover.
4. Pull out the lter.
5. Inspect or replace the lter if needed.
6. Reinstall the lter.
7. Push the two clips located on top of the lter
assembly to lock the cover.
5-18

Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on, it
means that service is required for your vehicle. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the engine oil
life system may not indicate that vehicle service
is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be reset. Your GM
Goodwrench dealer has GM-trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine GM parts
and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13for information on the Engine
Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHANGE OIL SOON light appears,
certain services, checks and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally,
it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the light comes
on within ten months since vehicle was purchased or
MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light comes on ten months
or more since the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
6-4

B
Backing Up....................................................4-43
Battery..........................................................5-41
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-9
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Parking......................................................2-25
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brake Fluid....................................................5-38
Brake Wear...................................................5-40
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-55
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-53
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-49
Headlamps.................................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-69
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specications..........................5-103
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-39, 2-13, 2-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-63
Your CD Player...........................................3-64
Your CDs ...................................................3-64
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-59
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-59
CD Messages........................................3-52, 3-61
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-53
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-20
Chains, Tires..................................................5-73
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Coolant............................................5-23
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
2

Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-58
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-94
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-47
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-37
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-88
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-93Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-92
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-88
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-90
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-90
Cleaning Leather............................................5-90
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-90
Cleaning Tires................................................5-93
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-90
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-92
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-26
Dual..........................................................3-18
Dual Automatic............................................3-21
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-25
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-87
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-35
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-21
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-15
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light........................................3-42
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-97
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-97
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-97
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-39
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-41
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-41
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Warning Light.............................................3-34
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station.......3-49, 3-56
Finding a Station....................................3-46, 3-53
Finish Care....................................................5-92
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-64
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-6
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-75
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM ...............................................................3-63
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-5
Following Distance..........................................4-43
5

Front Storage Area.........................................2-34
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-43
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-44
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-97
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-34
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-49
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-97
Headlamps....................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-42
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-32
How to Add Fluid............................................5-21
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-65
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
6

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-32
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-29
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-41
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-40
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-34
OnStar®Services............................................2-33
OnStar®System.............................................2-33
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-34
Operation Tips................................................3-26
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4Outlet Adjustment............................................3-25
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-32
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-25
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Brake........................................................2-25
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Parking on Hills..............................................4-44
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-26
Passenger Control..........................................3-24
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-43
PASS-Key
®II .................................................2-17
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-58
Playing a CD.........................................3-51, 3-60
Playing the Radio...................................3-45, 3-53
9

Restraint System Check (cont.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-59
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-58
Replacing Parts...........................................1-59
Resynchronization............................................. 2-9
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-20
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-20
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-31
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-30
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-30
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-91
Center Passenger Position............................1-20
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-11
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-10
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-22
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-20Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-19
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-6
Safety Chains.................................................4-42
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-3
Six-Way Power Seats.................................... 1-3
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-5
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-44
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-42
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-42
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-47
Security Feedback............................................ 2-6
Security Light.................................................3-41
Sensors.........................................................3-24
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-36
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-42
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Engine Soon Light...............................3-36
11

Service Manuals.............................................7-11
Setting Preset Stations............................3-47, 3-54
Setting the Time.............................................3-45
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..................3-47, 3-54
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-93
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-14
Skidding........................................................4-15
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-89
Specications, Capacities...............................5-103
Speedometer..................................................3-29
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-5
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-20
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-11
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-62
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-35
Convenience Net.........................................2-35
Front Storage Area......................................2-34
Glove Box..................................................2-34
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-85
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-86
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-30
Sun Visors.....................................................2-17
Sunroof.........................................................2-36T
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-54
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-62
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-17
PASS-Key
®II ..............................................2-17
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Tire Ination Check........................................... 6-9
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-58
Tire Size.......................................................5-61
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-62
Tires.............................................................5-57
Buying New Tires........................................5-69
Chains.......................................................5-73
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-75
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-87
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-74
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-64
Inspection and Rotation................................5-67
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-71
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-72
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-68
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-38
12

W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-27
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-4
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light......................3-42
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-91
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-40
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-41
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
What to Use..........................................5-22, 5-36
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-71
Replacement...............................................5-72
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-16When to Check..............................................5-65
When to Check and Change............................5-19
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-36
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-45
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-37
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-7
Window Lock-Out............................................2-16
Windows.......................................................2-15
Power........................................................2-16
Windshield Washer........................................... 3-8
Fluid..........................................................5-36
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-56
Fuses........................................................5-97
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-7
Winter Driving................................................4-26
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14