trunk BUICK CENTURY 2003 User Guide

Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label is
inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper
size, speed rating and recommended in¯ation pressures
for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number of people that can be
in your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
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The other label is the Certi®cation label, found on the rear
edge of the driver's door. It tells you the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don't carry
more than 167 lbs (75 kg) in your trunk.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle ± like suitcases,
tools, packages or anything else ± they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
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{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
·Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
·Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
·Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
·When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
·Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well Ð or
even at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. You may also damage your
vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if
you have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what
the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in ªWeight of the Trailerº that
appears later in this section. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
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Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are in¯ated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You'll ®nd these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label (found inside the trunk
lid) or see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-33. Then be
sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
·The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
·Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the
hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle.
See
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30. Dirt and
water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won't work well, or at all.
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When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-31.
{CAUTION:
If a ®re starts while you're refueling, don't
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ¯ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not ®t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in the
Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ®ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
·Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
·Do not ®ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
·Bring the ®ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ®ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the ®lling is complete.
·Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk lid.3. Remove the old bulb by turning it one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
4. Push the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the socket one-quarter turn clockwise to
reinstall.
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Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps1. Open the trunk.
2. If your vehicle is equipped with a convenience net,
remove it.
3. Remove the three plastic wing nuts (A).
There is one wing nut located on the outside of the
carpet. The other two are located underneath
the carpet.
4. Pull the taillamp housing (B) away from the body of
the vehicle.
5. Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the socket
counterclockwise.
6. Pull out the socket.
7. Pull the old bulb out of the socket. (There are two
bulbs on each taillamp.)
8. Push in a new bulb.
9. Reverse these steps to reinstall the lamp assembly.
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Back-Up Lamps
1. Open the trunk lid.
2. Remove the seven wing nuts (A) from the lamp
covering.
3. Remove the lamp covering.4. Twist and pull the bulb socket (B) from the trunk lid.
5. Twist and/or pull the old bulb from the bulb
socket.
6. Twist and/or push the new bulb into the lamp
socket.
7. Twist and/or push the lamp socket into the trunk lid
covering.
8. Reverse Steps 2 and 3 to reinstall the lamp
covering.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-Up 1156
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)3155
Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps4157NAK
Headlamps, High Beam 9005
Headlamps, Low Beam 9006
Taillamps and Stoplamps/Turn
Signal3057
Taillamp 194
For any bulb not listed here contact your dealer.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Buick Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
·Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
·Underin¯ated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
·Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
inside of the trunk lid, shows the correct in¯ation
pressures for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº means
your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1,6 km).
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you'll need is in the trunk.
1. Turn the center nut on
the compact spare tire
cover counterclockwise
to remove it. Then
lift and remove
the cover. See
Compact Spare Tire on
page 5-78for more
information about the
compact spare tire.
2. Remove the spare tire.
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