BUICK CENTURY 2001 Owner's Manual

6-31 Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
In this section you'll find directions for changing
the bulbs in some of the lamps on your vehicle.
See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index to find the
type of bulb you should use.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer's service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.

6-32 Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retainers to release the
assembly locator tabs.3. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.
4. Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp assembly.
5. Remove the rubber access cover (from behind the
bulb you are replacing).

6-33
6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn and
remove it from the lamp.
7. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the
headlamp bulb socket.
8. Connect the new headlamp bulb to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
9. Insert the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly.
10. Reverse all steps to reassemble the headlamp
assembly, then check the lamps.
11. Close the hood.Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with
horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been
pre
-set at the factory and should need no further
adjustment. This is true even though your vertical and
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the ª0º
(zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim),
or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you
(for vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps need
to be re
-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your dealer for service; however, it is possible for
you to re
-aim your headlamps as described in the
following procedure.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.

6-34
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:

The headlamps must be off for one hour prior to
aiming and must remain off during this procedure.

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.

If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver's seat.

Close all doors.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.
Driver's Side Headlamp Shown
A. Vertical Aim Adjustment Screw
B. Horizontal Aim Adjustment Screw
Open the hood and locate the vertical and horizontal
aim indicators. The aiming screw for the vertical aim
indicator (A) is at the center of the headlamp cover
and the aiming screw for the horizontal aim indicator
is on the outboard side of the headlamp cover (B).

6-35
Passenger's Side Headlamp Shown
A. Horizontal Aim Adjustment Screw
B. Horizontal Block Index Plate
C. Vertical Aiming Level
Start with the horizontal aim. The adjustment screws
can be turned with an E8 Torx

socket.Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.
1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the indicator
is lined up with zero.
2. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the level bubble
is lined up with zero.
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove the rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist the sidemarker lamp socket counterclockwise
from the headlamp assembly.
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the old bulb from
the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the
lamp assembly.

6-36 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk.
3. Remove the old bulb by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the bulb one
-quarter turn clockwise to reinstall.
6. Close the trunk.

6-37 Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the plastic wing nuts (A). (Pliers may be
required to remove the wing nuts.)
There is one wing nut located on the outside of the
carpet. The other two are located underneath the carpet.
2. Pull the taillamp housing (B) away from the body of
the vehicle.
3. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the socket
counterclockwise.
4. Pull out the socket.
5. Pull the old bulb out of the socket. (There are two
bulbs on each taillamp.)
6. Push in a new bulb.
7. Reverse these steps to reinstall the lamp assembly.

6-38 Trunk Lid Applique
1. Open the trunk lid halfway.
2. Remove the wing nuts (A) from the studs on the
applique. (There are eight wing nuts. Pliers may be
required to remove them.)3. Remove the applique from the trunk lid.
4. Turn the sockets (B) counterclockwise.
5. Pull the old bulb out of the socket.
6. Push in the new bulb.
7. Reinstall the socket in the housing and
turn clockwise.
8. Connect the applique to the lid.
9. Reconnect the wing nuts to the studs on the
applique and hand
-tighten.
10. Close the trunk lid.

6-39 Back-Up Lamps
The back-up lamps are located in the trunk lid applique.
(Refer to the trunk lid applique removal procedure
earlier in this section for further instructions.)
1. Remove the trunk lid applique.
2. Twist and pull the back
-up lamp socket from the
trunk lid applique.
3. Twist and pull the old bulb from the back
-up
lamp socket.
4. Twist and push the new bulb into the back
-up
lamp socket.
5. Twist and push the back
-up lamp socket into the
trunk lid applique.
6. Reinstall the trunk lid applique.
Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
1. Grasp the front center and rear center positions
of the dome lamp housing and squeeze together
until the housing releases from the base plate.
A screwdriver may be necessary to pry the
assembly loose.
2. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical connector
and pull the connector from the dome lamp assembly.
3. Grasp the bulb housing located in the center of the
assembly and pull straight up.
4. Pull the old bulb out of the socket.
5. Push in a new bulb.
6. Reinstall the socket into the dome lamp assembly.
7. Reconnect the dome lamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
8. Reposition the dome lamp assembly to the roof,
and gently push the assembly into the base plate.

6-40
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Index for more information.
1. Turn on the wipers to LO.
2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the
outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades are
more accessible for removal/replacement while in
this position.
3. Pull the windshield wiper arm 3 to 4 inches
(7.5 to 10 cm) away from the windshield.
4. While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push the release clip from under the windshield
wiper arm connecting point and slide the blade
assembly down toward the glass to remove it
from the wiper arm.
5. Slide the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release clip ªclickº into place.
For wiper blade replacement length and type, see
ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index.