power steering BUICK CENTURY 2004 Owner's Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-18
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-21
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-25
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-27
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-28
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-30
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-33
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-34
Low Traction Light........................................3-34Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-40
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-41
Security Light...............................................3-41
Cruise Control Light......................................3-42
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-42
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light........................3-42
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-42
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-44
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Setting the Time...........................................3-45
Radio with CD..............................................3-45
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-53
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-62
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-62
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-63
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-63
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-64
Care of Your CD Player................................3-64
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-64
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed and the
radio is placed in a different vehicle. This feature
requires no user input to be activated. It is automatically
armed when it is put into the vehicle for the rst time.
When the ignition is turned off, the blinking red light
indicates that THEFTLOCK
®is armed.
If THEFTLOCK
®is activated, your radio will not operate
if stolen. The radio will display LOCKED and a red
LED indicator light will come on above the key symbol
to indicate a locked condition. If this occurs, the radio will
need to be returned to the dealer.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering
wheel.
wSEEKx:Press the up or the down arrow to seek
to the next or to the previous radio station.
If a cassette tape or CD is playing, the player will
advance to the next or the previous selection.
3-62

To turn the system off, move the gear shift lever to
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) gear. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. When the system is
turned off, the TRAC OFF warning light will come on and
stay on. If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when the
system is turned off, the TRAC OFF light will come
on – but the ETS will not turn off right away. It will
continue to operate until there is no longer a need to
limit wheel spin.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you
are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
4-10

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-38Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps..................................................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-54
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-65
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-68
Buying New Tires.........................................5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-71
Wheel Replacement......................................5-72
Tire Chains..................................................5-73
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-75
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-87
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-36.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-97.
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-42.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-25.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
H. Electric Engine Cooling Fan. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-19.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-38.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-13

10. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir is located at the back
of the engine compartment, on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
reservoir location.
5-35

When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless there appears to be a leak in the system or an
unusual noise is heard. A uid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the uid level on the
dipstick.
When the engine
compartment is hot, the
level should be at the
H (hot) mark. When it is
cold, the level should be at
the C (cold) mark. If the
uid is at the ADD
mark, uid should be
added.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to
use the proper uid can cause leaks and damage
hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield washer uid, be
sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If the vehicle will be operating in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
5-36

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
before a tire has built up heat from driving.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64.Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
5-62

Fuses Usage
1 Anti-Lock Brake System
2 Starter Solenoid
3 Power Seat, Rear Window Defogger
4High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror,
Door Locks
5Ignition Switch, Stoplamps,
Anti-Lock Brake System, Turn
Signals, Cluster, Air Bag, Daytime
Running Lamps Module
6 Cooling Fan
7Retained Accessory Power, Remote
Keyless Entry, Data Link, Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Head; Cluster, Radio, Cigarette
Lighter
8Ignition Switch, Wipers, Autdio
Steering Wheel Controls, Body
Control Module, Power Windows,
Sunroof, Heating, Ventilation, and
Air Conditioning Controls; Daytime
Running Lamps, Rear Window
Defogger RelayRelays Usage
9 Cooling Fan 2
10 Cooling Fan 3
11 Starter Solenoid
12 Cooling Fan 1
13 Ignition Main
14 Air Pump (Optional)
15 Not Used
16 Horn
17 Fog Lamps
18 Not Used
19 Fuel Pump
5-101

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, ttings and clamps; replace with genuine
GM parts as needed. To help ensure proper operation,
a pressure test of the cooling system and pressure
cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser is recommended at least
once a year.(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door and console
door. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal better and not stick or
squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.
6-7