towing BUICK CENTURY 2004 Owner's Guide

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions,
change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-19

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overow tube on the radiator
ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
The coolant temperature gage and the engine coolant
temperature warning light on the instrument panel
can indicate an overheated engine condition. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-35and
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 3-35.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The emergency engine protection operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition
exists, this protection mode alternates ring groups
of cylinders to help prevent engine damage. In
this mode, there will be a signicant loss in power and
engine performance. The engine coolant temperature
gage indicator will move to the red area, and, the engine
coolant temperature warning light will come on,
showing that an overheated engine condition exists.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheated protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
5-25

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-22for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-8

Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-6
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-20, 3-24
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-16
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-14
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-7
Dinghy Towing................................................4-33Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-33
Dome Lamp...................................................3-16
Door
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Trunk Ajar Warning Light..............................3-42
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-44
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-42
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-21
Dual Climate Control System............................3-18
4

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-97
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-97
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-97
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-39
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-41
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-41
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Warning Light.............................................3-34
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station.......3-49, 3-56
Finding a Station....................................3-46, 3-53
Finish Care....................................................5-92
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-64
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-6
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-75
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM ...............................................................3-63
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-5
Following Distance..........................................4-43
5

Light (cont.)
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-41
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-42
Tire Pressure..............................................3-36
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-17
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-34
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-44
Low Traction Light..........................................3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-42M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-45
Making Turns.................................................4-43
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-36
Manual Operation...................................3-18, 3-22
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-8
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-4
8

Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-17
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-97
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-16
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-10
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-25
Radio Data System (RDS).......................3-48, 3-55
Radio Messages.....................................3-51, 3-58
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-63
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-64
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-62
Understanding Reception..............................3-63RDS Messages......................................3-50, 3-57
Reading Lamps..............................................3-16
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-22
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-22
Rear Window Defogger............................3-20, 3-25
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-32
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation............. 2-5
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-13
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-79
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-76
Removing the Wheel Center Caps....................5-78
Removing the Wheel Covers............................5-78
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-41
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash.....................................................1-59
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-10
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
10

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-42
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Light...................................................3-34
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Trunk............................................................2-13
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-14
Trunk Lock....................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44U
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-100
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-70
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-73
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-89
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-34
Service Soon Light......................................3-42
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Records............................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-96
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-96
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-41
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-25
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-17
Visors...........................................................2-17
13