brake BUICK CENTURY 1998 User Guide

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2-31
Your vehicle has a BRAKE TO SHIFT reminder light.
This light comes on to remind you to apply the brake
pedal before you can shift from PARK (P).
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and also release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you want. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever.) If you ever hold the brake
pedal down but still can't shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the retained
accessory power feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center as
soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

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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 firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're 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 won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver's armrest control each of the
windows while the ignition is on or retained accessory
power is active. In addition, the passenger's door
armrest has a switch for its own window.
To lower the passenger's window, pull back on the right
switch. The window will lower as long as the switch is
held. To raise either window, push the switch forward.

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When the vehicle has a low
fluid condition, the
WASHER FLUID LOW
light will come on to remind
you to get more washer
fluid soon.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This is
helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index.) When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.

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Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it. The CRUISE light on the instrument panel
will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then
applying the brake will end the cruise control function.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(Resume/Accelerate) briefly to reset. This returns you to
your desired preset speed.If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will accelerate
until you release the switch or apply the brake. So unless
you want to go faster, don't hold the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed.
Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll
now cruise at the higher speed. Or,

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you reach a desired speed and then release
the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move the
switch to R/A briefly and then release it. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach a desired lower speed then release it.

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To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or

Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go out.Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
This knob controls these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Plate Lamps

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2-70 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
START. If it doesn't come
on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if
there's a problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light and chime stay on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.

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2-71 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on,
the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC
CONT button located on the instrument panel, the
warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. (See ªTraction Control Systemº
in the Index for more information.)

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If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that your
engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator
cooling fan is not working.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
The ªProblems on the Roadº section in this manual
explains what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

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2-78 Brake To Shift Light
This light will come on to
remind you that you must
press the brake pedal to
shift out of PARK (P).
Cruise Light
The CRUISE light comes
on when you set your cruise
control. See ªCruise
Controlº in the Index.
Door Ajar Light
When the ignition is on, this
light will stay on until both
doors are closed and
completely latched.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows
about how much fuel is
in your tank.

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Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. (See ªSafety Beltsº in the Index.)Defensive driving really means ªbe ready for anything.º
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
ªalways expect the unexpected.º
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear
-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It's the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on
the floor
-- makes proper defensive driving more
difficult and can even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or
pull off the road in a safe place to do them yourself.
These simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.