ignition BUICK CENTURY 1993 Owners Manual

I
A CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than
the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to
an
inflating air bag, it could seriously injure ,you.
Safety
belts help keep you in position for an
air bag inflation in a
crash. Always wear your
safety belt, even with
an air bag, and sit as far
back
as you can while still maintaining control
of your vehicle.
Air Bag System Light
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows
“AIRBAG.” The
system checks itself and the
light tells you if there
is a
problem.
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to “Run”
or
“Start.” Then the light
should go out, which
means the system is ready.
In ! .CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on
when
you start your vehicle, or stays on, or
comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your
vehicle serviced right away.
How the Air Bag System Works
1
36
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Don’t attach anything to the steering wheel
pad.
It might injure the driver if the air bag
inflates.
The air bag
is designed to inflate only once.
After
it inflates, you’ll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you
don’t get them, the
air bag system won’t be there
to help protect
you
in another crash. A new system will
include the air bag module and possibly other
parts. The service manual has information
about the need
to replace other parts.
Let only qualified technicians work
on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that
your air bag system won’t work properly. See
your dealer for service.
Servicing Your Buick with the Air Bag
System
Please tell or remind anyone who works on your Buick
that it has
the air bag system. There are parts of the air
bag system in several places around your vehicle.
You
don’t want the system to inflate while someone is
working on your vehicle. The air bag system does not need regular maintenance. Your Buick
dealer and the
1993 Century Service Manual have information about the
air bag system, including repair
or disposal.
A CAUTION:
For up to 2 minutes after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service.
Yonn
can be injured if you are close to an air bag whc..
it inflates. Be sure to follow the proper service
procedures.
I
When electrical work is done under the hood or inside
your vehicle, the ignition should be
in “Lock” if possible.
Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system.
But if the ignition has to be on for electrical work, or if
the steering column is
to be disassembled, the air bag
system must be disconnected.
To do this:
Turn off the ignition.
Remove the SIR (air bag) fuse (see “Fuses & Circuit
Disconnect the yellow connector at the base of the
Breakers” in the Index).
steering column.
3V
ProCarManuals.com

When the work is complete, if the air bag system was
disconnected, be sure to reattach everything and replace
the
fuse before turning the ignition on. When you turn
the ignition key on, be sure you see the inflatable
restraint light on the instrument panel. If you don’t see
this light flash and then go out as usual, have your air bag
system repaired.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible
throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother.
When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that \
the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women,
as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is
wearing them properly.
Right Front Passenger Position
fl
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt. See “Driver Position:’
earlier in this part.
I
40
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

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

/r CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come
into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If you must drive with the liftgate or liftglass
open:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system
to its highest speed with the setting
on NORM
or VENT. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls’’ in
.the Index.
instrument panel, ope1 hem all the way.
If you have air vents on or under the
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock
and unlock the glove box.
To open, pinch the latch
release.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although
your Buick has a number of theft deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can
help.
Key in the ignition: If you walk away from your vehicle
with the keys inside, it’s an easy target for
joy riders or
professional thieves-so don’t do it. When you park your
Buick and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear
a chime
reminding
you to remove your key from the ignition and
take it with you. Always do this. Your steering wheel will
be locked, and
so will your ignition and transaxle. And
remember to lock the doors.
n
ProCarManuals.com

Parking at Night: Park in a lighted spot, close all
windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep your
valuables out of sight. Put them
in a storage area, or take
them with you.
Parking Lots: If you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your
keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition key?
What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
1. Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk or
glove box, or rear storage area in the’ wagon.
2. Lock the glove box.
3. Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
4. Then take the door key with you.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
72
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Key Positions Off: Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition, and transaxle,
but does not send electrical power to any accessories.
.Use
this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
A
warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition
is off and the key is in the ignition.
I
Run: An “on” position to which the. switch returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the “Run” position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
“Run” to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
Start: Starts the engine. When the engine starts, release
the key. The ignition switch will return to “Run” for
normal driving.
with the ignition key
h the ignition switch, YOU can turn Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
the switch to five positions: “Accessory” and “Run” \
are “on” positions that allow
.Accessory: An “on” position in which you can operate you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
your electrical power accessories. Press
in the ignition ‘ radio.
switch as you
turn the top of it toward you.
Lock: The only position in which you can remove the
key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and
transaxle.
ProCarManuals.com