warning light BUICK CENTURY 2001 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry
Trunk Release
Automatic Transaxle
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield WipersCruise Control (If Equipped)
Exterior and Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Auxiliary Power Connection
OnStar® System (If Equipped)
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important for
you and your
passengers
whenever your
vehicle is driven:
CHILD
RESTRAINT
TOP STRAP
ANCHOR
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information 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.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry
2
-17 Trunk
2
-20 Theft
2
-21 PASS-Key
II
2
-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-22 Ignition Positions
2
-24 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-26 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-33 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-34 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-34 Engine Exhaust2
-35 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-36 Horn
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-44 Interior Lamps
2
-46 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-52 Sun Visors
2
-52 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-53 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-57 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-60 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-61 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-23
LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in LOCK. It's also the only position
from which you can remove your key. This position
locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle.
It's a theft
-deterrent feature.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the steering
wheel. Use OFF if you must have your vehicle pushed
or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you can
use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when the ignition is in OFF, LOCK or ACC
and the key is in the ignition.

2-42
Exterior Lamps
The lamp controls
are located on the
instrument panel.
They control these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Courtesy LampsIf you pull the knob out halfway, it will turn on your
parking lamps and your other operating lamps. If you
pull the knob all the way out, your headlamps will then
come on.
Push the knob in all the way to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when you turn the ignition switch to OFF, LOCK
or ACC with the lamps on.
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lights are required on all vehicles first sold
in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the parking brake is released.

2-61 Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven in either miles (used in the United States) or
in kilometers (used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper
-resistant odometer. If you see
ERROR, you'll know someone has probably tampered
with it and the numbers may not be accurate.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be done.
But if it can't, then it will be set at zero and a label must
be put on the driver's door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the button on
the right side of the instrument panel cluster.
The trip/select reset switch will go back and forth
between the odometer and the trip odometer if the button
is pressed and released within 1.5 seconds. If the button is
pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in the
trip odometer mode, it will be reset to zero. If the button
is pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in
the odometer mode, it will have no effect.
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.

2-62
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you
are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for
about 55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

2-64 Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition, as
a check to show you it's
working. Then it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system. It could
indicate that you have a loose accessory belt or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.

2-65
If the light comes 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 it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
United States Canada
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come on
for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays
on longer than normal after you've started your engine,
turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays
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, the anti
-lock brake system needs service
and you don't have anti
-lock brakes. The brake pedal
may be harder to push, or it may go to the floor. It may
take longer to stop. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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.

2-66 Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(3100 V6 Engine)
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by shifting to SECOND (2)
or FIRST (1), the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back on, shift to THIRD (3) or
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
). See ªEnhanced
Traction Systemº in the Index.

If the Enhanced Traction System warning light
comes on and stays on for an extended period of
time when the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If the transaxle shift lever is in any position other
than FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning
light stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
The light will come on when your Enhanced Traction
System is limiting wheel spin. You may feel or hear
the system working, but this is normal. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this light comes on, so adjust
your driving accordingly.