BUICK CENTURY 1997 Owners Manual

ORDER TOLL FREE
information within 30 days of delivery. On returns, a re-stocking fee may be applied (Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM EST)
1-800-782-4356. Material cannot be returned for credit without packing slip with return 1-800-782-4356
service. If further information is needed, write to the address s s, own below or call (NOTE: For Credit Card Holders Only) Orders will be mailed within 10 days of receipt. Please allow ade uate time for postal
FAX Orders Only 1-31 3-865-5927 against the original order.
PUBLICATION FORM
ITEM DESCRIPTION VEHICLE MODEL QTY. EACH* TOTAL PRICE
NUMBER NAME YEAR
Car & Light Truck $90.00
1997
Service Manual
PRICE
Transmission Unit Repair 1997 $40.00
Owner’s Manual In Portfolio
1997
$1 5.00
Owner’s Manual Without Portfolio 1997
$1 0.00
1
9
9
7-
G
M
S
H
I
P
T
0
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name, and also the
name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent.
Mail completed order form to:
For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the above address for quotation.
HELM, INCORPORATED P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
(CUSTOMER’S NAME) (ATTENTION)
(STREET ADDRESS-NO P.O.
BOX NUMBERS)
(STATE) (ZIP CODE)
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NO.
0 AREA CODE
2M-BUI-ORD97 ’(Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.)
P
A
Y
M
E
N
T
L
Check or Money
Order payable to Helm, Inc. (USA funds
only - do not send cash.)
0 Mastercard
VISA
n
U Discover
l- I
1 I
TOTAL MATERIAL
Michigan Purchasers
add 6% sales tax
U.S. Order Processing $5.00
Canadian Postage
(See Note Below)
GRAND TOTAL
Account Number: UIn uln UIn UIn
Expiration m
Date molyr:
Check here if your billing address
is different from your shipping
address shown.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents
are to make checks payable in US. funds. To cover Canadian postage, add $11.50 plus the US. order processing.
ProCarManuals.com

b NOTES
8-12
ProCarManuals.com

Section 9 Index
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..... 6-3
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-23
How
it Works ................................ 1-21
Location
.................................... 1-21
Readiness Light
......................... 1.20. 2.56
Servicing
................................... 1-24
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-22
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-23
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-22
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-1s
Air Conditioning
........................ 3-3,3-6, 3-9
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-63
Alarm, Instant
................................. 2- 12
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ...................... 6-5 1
AM-FM Stereo ................................ 3- 13
AM-FM Stereo
with Cassette Tape Player ........... 3- 15
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control
........................ 3- 18
AM-FM Stereo
with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control
........................ 3-22
AM-FM Stereo
with Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control
.......... 3-26
Antenna Backglass
.................................... 3-37
FixedMast
.................................. 3-36 Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2.59. 4.9
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.58. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Using ....................................... 4-9
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3-31
Appearance Care
............................... 6-45
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-54
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-49
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-33
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-35
Audio Systems
................................. 3-12
Audio Systems. Tips
............................ 3-34
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-32
Automatic Headlamp Control
............................ 2-42
Overdrive
(0) .......................... 2-24.2-25
Power Door Locks
............................. 2-7
Transaxle Check
.............................. 7-38
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-17
Transaxle Operation
........................... 2-22
Transaxle Park Mechanism Check ................ 7-40
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-50
Auxiliary Power Connection
...................... 2-51
9-1
ProCarManuals.com

Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement ................. 6-35
Battery
....................................... 6-29
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2- 13
Rundown Protection ........................... 2-46
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
RBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Brake
Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-26
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-29
System Warning Light
......................... 2-57
Parking
..................................... 2-26
PedalTravel
................................. 6-29
Trailer
...................................... 4-34
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-29
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- I7
BTSICheck ................................... 7-39
Built-in Child Restraint .......................... 1-34
Built-in Child Restraint. Cleaning
.................. 6-48
Built-in Child Restraint Harness. Cleaning
........... 6-49
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-30
BTSI
......................................... 2-29 Canadian
Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-5
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.14.2.30.4.27. 4.33
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3- 16.3.20. 3.28
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-35
Cellular Phone Provisions
........................ 2-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
Bulb Replacement .... 6-32
Certification
Label .............................. 4-29
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-34
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-44
Change Oil Soon Light
.......................... 2-66
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-25
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-57
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-53
Child Restraints
...................... 1.32. 1.33. 1-49
Built-in
..................................... 1-34
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-51
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-53
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-54
TopStrap ................................... 1-50
Wheretoput
................................ 1-49
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-50
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-15
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-51
Built-in Child Restraint
........................ 6-48
Built-in Child Restraint Harness
................. 6-49
Fabric
...................................... 6-46
Glass ....................................... 6-49
Cassette
Tape Player Errors
............. 3- 17.3.21. 3.28
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-25
Cleaning
...................................... 6-45
9-2
ProCarManuals.com

Inside of Your Buick .......................... 6-45
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-48
Leather
..................................... 6-48
Outside of Your Buick
......................... 6-50
Special Problems
............................. 6-47
Stains
...................................... 6-46
Tires
....................................... 6-52
Vinyl ....................................... 6-47
Wheels
..................................... 6-51
Windshield and Wiper Blades
.................... 6-50
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3- 12
Comfort Controls
............................ 3- 1. 3.2
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-36
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3.24. 3.30
Compact Disc Player Errors .................. 3.24. 3.30
Control. Lossof
................................ 4-13
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
Convenience
Net ............................... 2-49
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-20
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-22
RecoveryTank
............................... 5719
Coolant Heater. Engine
.......................... 2-20
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-44
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-37
Cruise Light
................................... 2-67
Compact Spare
Tire
............................. 5-37
Cupholders
.................................... 2-49
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2 Damage.
Finish
............................... 6-52
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-52
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-42
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
......................... 3-11
Defogging ............................ 3-4.3.6. 3- 10
Defrosting ............................ 3.4.3.6. 3.10
Delayed Exit Lighting ........................... 2-45
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ............. 3.18.3.21. 3.29
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-35
DoorLocks ..................................... 2-4
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
................... 2-68
Driver Position
................................. 1 . IO
Driving
City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-36
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
On Snow or Ice
.............................. 4-25
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-34
Delayed Entry Lighting
.......................... 2-44
Through Deep Standing Water
................... 4-18
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Drunken Driving ................................ 4-3 Fabric Cleaning ............................. 6-46
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7 Features and Controls ............................ 2-1
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control .................. 3-4 Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter.Air
..................................... 6-15
Electrical Equipment. Adding
..... 2.20. 2-5 1. 3-35: 6-56
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2-20. 3.35. 6-55
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-60
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-60
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-3 1
Specifications ................................ 6-63
Starting Your
................................ 2- I9
Engine011
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- I2
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-41 Filter. Engine
Oil
............................... 6-14
Filter. Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-16
Finish Care
.................................... 6-50
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire
. Changjng ............................. 5-25
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual 11
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canadian
................................ 6-3. 6-5
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-68
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Bre.akers ....................... 6-57
Finish Damage
................................. 6-52
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-60
Fuel
....................................... 2-68
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-22
GloveBox
.................................... 2-49
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
GAWR
....................................... 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

tiuide en Franpis 11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
Flash-to-Pass ................................ 2-35
High/LowBeam
.............................. 2-35
On Reminder
................................ 2-41
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heated Foldaway Outside Mirrors
.................. 2-48
Heating
............................... 3-4.3-6. 3- 10
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-44
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-38
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-46
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
.. ................................. Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-41
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-41
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Cluster
..................................... 2-54
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-15
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-45
Exterior
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Reading. Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-45
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-28
Lighter
....................................... 2-50
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-20’2-56
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-59, 4-9
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-58, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-57
Change Oil Soon
............................. 2-66
Charging System
............................. 2-57
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning
...................... 2-68
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-60
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-61, 6-22
LowFuel
................................... 2-68
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2-65, 6- 10
Low Traction ................................ 2-6 1
Low Washer Fluid Warning ................ 2-37, 2-67
Oilwarning
................................. 2-64
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-5, 2-56
Security
.................................... 2-66
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-62
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-67
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Delayed Locking
.............................. 2-8
Cruise
...................................... 2-67
Locks Automatic Power Door
......................... 2-7
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-40
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Lockout Prevention Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4 PowerDoor
.................................. 2-3
Rear Door Security Locks ....................... 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
..................................... 2-32
Loss of Control
................................ 4-13
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-61, 6-22
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2-65, 6-10
Low Traction Light ............................. 2-61
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ............. 2-37, 2-67
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Lubricants
and Fluids ............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-38
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-68
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-63
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-44
How it’s Organized
............................ 7-3
Long Trip/Highway
........................... 7-27
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
and Lubricants ............................... 7-42
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-53
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Maintenance Schedule, Recommended Fluids
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Malfunction Indicator Lamp .............. ... 2-62
Manual
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Front Seat
.................................... 1-2
Outside Mirrors .............................. 2-47
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
................ 3-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-46
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview
............. 2-47
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Heated Foldaway Outside
...................... 2-48
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-46
Manual Outside
.............................. 2-47
Power Outside
............................... 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-5 I
MMT ......................................... 6-4
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-49
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-23
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- I7
Nightvision ................................... 4-15
Odometer
.................................... 2-55
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-55
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-64
Overdrive.
(a) Automatic ................... 2-24.2-25
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-37
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-10
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-53
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-22
Shifting Into
................................. 2-27
Shifting
Out of ............................... 2-29
AtNight
.................................... 2-15
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots
....................................... 2-15
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-30
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
.................. 6-16
Passing
....................................... 4-12
PASS-Key
I1 ................................. 2-16
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-41
Power
Auxiliary Connection
.......................... 2-51
Option Fuses
................................ 6-56
Outside Mirrors
.............................. 2-48
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-46
Seat (Six-Way)
................................ 1-3
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-24
Windows
................................... 2-32
Pregnancy . Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-18
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-10
Parking
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Publications. Service and Owner. Ordering
in Canada ... 8-9
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator. Adding Coolant ....................... 5-21
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-23
Radio Reception
................................ 3-34
Radios
....................................... 3-13
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-16
Rainy Weather Tips
............................. 4- I8
Reading Lamps. Rearview Mirror .................. 2-45
Rear Door Security Locks
........................... 2-6
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-26
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-29
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-26
Towing
..................................... 5-13
Window Defogger
............................ 3- 1 1
Rearview Mirror ...................... 2-45.2-46. 2-47
Electrochromic Day/Night
...................... 2-47
Inside Daymight
............................. 2-46
Reading Lamps
.............................. 2-45
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-3
Recovery Tank. Coolant .......................... 5- I9
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-63
Remote Activation Verification. Illumination
............. 2- 12
Keyless Entry Operation
....................... 2- I0
Activation Verification (RAV)
................... 2- 1 1
Keyless Entry ................................. 2-9
Keyless Entry Synchronization
.................. 2- I4
Replacement. Bulbs
............................. 6-62
Replacement. Parts
.............................. 6-63
Replacement. Wheel
............................ 6-43
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-8
Restraints
Checking
................................... 1-60
Head ........................................ 1-5
Replacing Parts After a Crash ................... 1-61
Systemcheck
................................ 7-38
Restraints. Child
...................... 1.32. 1.33. 1-49
Retained Accessory Power
........................ 2-46
Reverse. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-23
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1 . 19
Roadside Assistance .............................. 8-5
Roadside Assistance. Canadian ..................... 8-5
Rocking Your Vehicle ........................... 5-38
Rotation. Tires
................................. 6-39
Safety Belts
................................... 1-5
Center Passenger Position ...................... 1-25
Children .................................... 1-32
Driver Position
............................... 1-10
Extender
.................................... 1-60
How
to Wear Properly ......................... 1 . 10
Incorrect Usage
......................... 1 - 14. 1-58
Lap Belt .................................... 1-25
Lap-Shoulder ...................... 1-1 I. 1-26. 1-57
Larger Children
.............................. 1-57
Questions and Answers ......................... 1-9
Rear Comfort Guides
.......................... 1-29
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-26
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-26
Reminder Light
.......................... 1-5. 2-56
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-61
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-19
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
................... 1-13
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-32
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-18
WhyThey Work ............................... 1-6
Adults ...................................... 1-10
9-8
ProCarManuals.com