BUICK CENTURY 1993 Repair Manual

1 CAUTION:
LJ
I
l!=r do this. I
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the
impact forces. In a crash, the two children
can be crushed together and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by only one
person at
a time.
@ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but
the child
is so small that the shoulder belt is very
close to the child’s face
or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be
sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child‘s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child‘s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the
child is
so smaU that the shoulder belt still is very
close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to
place the child
in the center seat position, the one
that has
only a lap belt.
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Never do thk
=
I
I Here er ehlld its sitting in’a seat that has a
lap-shouider belt, but the shoulder part Is
behind the child. If thechild wears the belt
in this way, in a crash the child might slide
under the belt. The belt’s Qom would then
be applied rlght on the child’s abdomen.
That could
cause serious or fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should
be worn
low and snug on-the hips, just touching the
child’s thighs. This applies belt force to
the child’s pelvic
bones in a crash.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it. The automatic lap-shoulder belt has plenty
of extra length built in, so it will fasten around almost all
people.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you
an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only
for
the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it to
the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure all your belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, anchorages and reminder systems are
working properly.
Look for any loose parts or damage. If
you see anything that might keep a restraint system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
I
60
ProCarManuals.com

Replacing Safety Belts After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage
also may mean you will have to have safety belt
parts, like the retractor, replaced or anchorage locations repaired-even if the belt wasn't being
used at the time of
the collision.
@ What's wrong with this?
A: The belt is torn.
A CAUTION:
Torn or frayed belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right
I
61
ProCarManuals.com

62
ProCarManuals.com

n
part 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick. and informat\
ion on starting.
shifting and braking . Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly-and what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2 includes:
Keys ........................................................................\
........
Locks ........................................................................\
...... 65
Remote Keyless Entry System ........................................................... 66
New Vehicle Break-In ................................................................. 72
Ignition ........................................................................\
..... 73
Starting Your Engine .................................................................. 74
Shifting the Transaxle ........................................... : ..................... 77
parking Brake ........................................................................\
80
ShiftingIntoPark ..................................................................... 81
Windows ........................................................................\
... 84
Horn ........................................................................\
....... 86
TiltSteeringWheel ................................................................... 86
Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever ....................................................... 86
Windshield Wipers, Washer ........................................................... 88
CruiseControl ..................................................................... 91
InteriorLights ....................................................................... \
95
Headlights ........................................................................\
.. 95
Mirrors ........................................................................\
..... 98
Instrument Panel ..................................................................... 105
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators .................................................. 106
63
ProCarManuals.com

I--
Keys
/i CAUTION:
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A
child or others could be badly injured or even
killed.
They could operate
power windows or other . .
controls, or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the
keys in a vehicle with young
children.
The door keys are for ‘the
doors and all other locks.
When a
new Century is delivered, the dealer removes the
plugs from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
Each plug has a code
on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs in a safe place.
If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have new ones made easily using these plugs.
64
ProCarManuals.com

I
Door Locks
3
' Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers-especially children-can easily
open the doors and fall out. When
a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open
it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You Increase the
chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety
belts properly, lock your
doors, and you will be
far better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to
lock and unlock your
vehicle:
From the outside: Use your
door key
or Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter, if your vehicle has this
option.
3
From the inside: To lock
the door, slide the lock
Pqntrol
on the door
"award.
To unlock the door, slide
the lock control forward.
ProCarManuals.com

Power Door Locks
Press the power door lock switch
on either front door
to lock or unlock all the
doors at once.
1
Automatic Door Locks
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. All of the
doors will lock when you move your shift lever out of “P” (Park) or
“N” (Neutral). Each time you close your
doors and
turn on the ignition, the doors will lock
automatically only once. If someone needs to get out
while the vehicle is running, have that person use the
manual or power lock. When the door is closed again, it
will not lock automatically. Just use the manual or power
lock to lock the door again.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, open your door and set the
locks from inside. Then get out and close the door.
Remote Keyless Entry System (Option)
If your Buick has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk or wagon liftgate
from
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the key chain transmitter
supplied with your vehicle.
Your Remote Keyless Entry System operates on’a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
66
ProCarManuals.com

Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See
the instructions on battery replacement later in this section.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. This product has
a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
See your Buick dealer or a qualified technician for
service.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to use
this equipment.
Operation
The driver’s door will unlock and the interior lights will
go on when “UNLOCK’ is pressed. If pressed again
within five seconds, all doors will unlock. The interior
lights will
go out after 40 seconds or when you turn on
the ignition.
All doors will lock when “DOOR” is pressed.
The trunk or liftgate will unlock when the opened trunk
symbol is pressed, but only when the transaxle is in
“P”
(Park). On the wagon the ignition must also be in the
“Off” position.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer. Remember to bring the remaining
transmitter with you when you
go to your dealer. When
the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your
vehicle, the remaining transmitter must also be matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost transmitter
will not unlock your vehicle.
You can match a transmitter to as many different vehicles
as you own, provided they are equipped with
exactly the
same model system.
(General Motors offers several
different models of these systems on their vehicles.) Each
vehicle can have only two transmitters matched to it. See
your dealer to match transmitters to another vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the batteries in your key chain
transmitter should last about
two years.
You can tell the batteries are weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to
get
close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s
probably time to change the batteries.
ProCarManuals.com

For battery replacement use
two DuracelP batteries,
type
DL-2016, or a similar
type.
To replace batteries:
1. Remove the screw from the back cover.
2. Lift off the front cover, bottom half fEstst,
3. Remove and replace the batteries.. Put them in
following the diagram under the batteries on the inside
of the cover.
tightly,
so water won't get in. Replace the screw in the
back cover.
4. Replace the front cover. Make sure the cover is on
5. Check the transmitter operation.
68
ProCarManuals.com