ignition lock BUICK CENTURY 2003 User Guide

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
·Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the key
to ®ve different positions:
A (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use the radio
and windshield wipers when the engine is off. To
use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
B (LOCK):This is the only position in which you can
insert or remove the key. This position locks the ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It's a theft-deterrent
feature.
2-19

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. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
C (OFF):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.
D (RUN):This position is where the key returns to after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you can
use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
E (START):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 ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), your power
windows and audio system will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF
and before any of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
2-20

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), increase pressure on the shift lever by
pushing is all the way in to PARK (P) while keeping the
brake pedal pushed down. Then move the shift lever
out of PARK (P). See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-29
Notice:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-31.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Don't shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice:Damage to your transaxle caused by
shifting into a drive gear with the engine racing isn't
covered by your warranty.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(
X)for higher speeds.
2-24

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control
system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P) when
the ignition is in the OFF position. In addition, you have
to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-23.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. There is no
shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed 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.
2-29

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.
Ending Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), your cruise control
set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
This control, located to the
left of the instrument
panel, operates the
exterior lamps.The exterior lamps control has three positions:
Off:Push the control all the way in to turn off all lamps
and lights.
Parking Lamps:Pull the control out, to the ®rst
position, to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
·Taillamps
·License Plate Lamps
·Sidemarker Lamps
·Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps:Pull the control out all the way, to the
second position, to turn on the headlamps together with
the previously listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's door
when you turn the ignition switch to OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY with the lamps on.
3-11

Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System
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 lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst 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 following conditions are met:
·The ignition is on,
·the exterior lamps control is off and
·the parking brake is released.
While the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel
won't be lit up either.When it's dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will turn off and your vehicle's headlamps
and parking lamps will turn on. The other lamps that
come on with your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL and automatic
headlamp control off, set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start your vehicle. The
DRL, headlamps and parking lamps will stay off until
you release the parking brake.
To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it's
dark outside, move the exterior lamps control to
the parking lamp position. Your parking lamps will
remain illuminated and your headlamps will turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-12

Delayed Headlamps
Delayed headlamp illumination provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave your vehicle's area. The
feature is activated when your vehicle's headlamps
are on due to the automatic headlamp control feature
described previously in this section, and when your
vehicle's ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then
remain on until the exterior lamps control is moved
from OFF to the parking lamp position or until a
90 second lighting period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamps control
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the delayed
headlamp illumination cycle will not occur.
You can customize the vehicle to activate delayed
headlamp illumination when your vehicle's ignition is
turned off under the conditions described above, or you
may choose not to activate this feature under any
conditions.
You can turn the feature on and off when you perform
the following sequence:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.3. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch, cycle the exterior
lamps control on and then off two times.
4. Release the power door lock switch. These steps
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds, followed by a delay period of no more
than 10 seconds.
5. Then, press and hold the power door unlock switch.
While holding the door unlock switch, turn the
exterior lamps control on and then off two times.
Release the courtesy door unlock switch. These
operations must be carried out in a time period of
less than 10 seconds.
After releasing the door unlock switch, a single chime
will be heard if the delayed headlamp illumination
function has been disabled; two chimes will be heard if
the feature has been enabled. Disconnecting the
vehicle's battery for up to a year will not change the
programmed operation for this feature.
3-13

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights by
turning the exterior lamps control.
Turning the control all the way clockwise turns on the
courtesy lamps. If the control is turned all the way
counterclockwise, the lamps and lights will turn off.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several courtesy lamps come
on. They make it easy for you to enter and leave your
vehicle. You can also turn these lamps on by turning the
exterior lamps control all the way clockwise to MAX.
Entry Lighting
The courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open
a door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps don't just turn off at
the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after
the delay time until they go out. The delay time is
canceled if you turn the ignition key to RUN or START.
When the ignition is on, entry lighing is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights your vehicle's interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting
to work. Just after all the doors have been closed, the
delayed entry lighting feature will continue to work
until one of the following occurs:
·The ignition is in RUN, or
·the doors are locked, or
·an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
3-14

Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to work.
When the ignition key is removed, interior illumination
will activate and remain on until one of the following
occurs:
·The ignition is in RUN, or
·the power door locks are activated, or
·an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the underside of the
rearview mirror.
Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
Battery Rundown Protection
The vehicle has a feature to help prevent draining the
battery in case the interior courtesy lamps, reading
lamps, visor vanity lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp
or glove box lamps are left on when the ignition is in
OFF. If any of these lamps are left on, they will
automatically turn off after 20 minutes. The lamps won't
come back on again until you do one of the following:
·Turn the ignition on,
·turn the exterior lamps control off, then on, or
·open a door.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
3-15

Outlet Adjustment
Open and close the air
outlets, or adjust the
direction of the air¯ow by
moving the levers in
the center of each outlet.
Operation Tips
·Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ¯ow of air into your vehicle.
·Use of non-GM approved hood de¯ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
·Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
·If the air¯ow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment
air ®lter, if equipped, may need to be replaced. For
more information, see
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter on page 3-20andPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air ®lter is located in
the engine compartment below the air inlet grille, near
the passenger's side windshield wiper arm.
The ®lter traps most of the pollen from the air entering
the air conditioning module. Like your engine's air
cleaner ®lter, it may need to be changed periodically.
For information on how often to change the passenger
compartment air ®lter, see
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 6-5.
To change the passenger compartment air ®lter, use the
following steps:
1. Put the ignition in ACCESSORY and turn the
windshield wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF when the windshield
wipers are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
3-20