tow BUICK CENTURY 2005 Service Manual

Washing Your Vehicle
The paint nish on the vehicle provides beauty,
depth of color, gloss retention, and durability.
The best way to preserve the vehicle’s nish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. GM-approved
cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer.
SeeVehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-89.
Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based, or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning
agents should be ushed promptly and not allowed
to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the nish
with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
the vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a
car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions underWashing Your Vehicle on
page 5-86.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from
the paint nish. GM-approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your dealer. SeeVehicle
Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-89.
The vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish may
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint nish on your vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage the vehicle’s nish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
5-86

Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather,
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. To help keep the paint nish looking
new, keep the vehicle in a garage or covered
whenever possible.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap, or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Aluminum Wheels
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild
soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because the surface could be damaged. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Do not take the vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing,
always wipe off any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
5-87

(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 6-13.
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.
6-9

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward eligible
aftermarket driver or
passenger adaptive
equipment that may be
required for your vehicle,
such as hand controls,
wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The offer is available for
a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. For more details, or to determine your
vehicle’s eligibility, see your GM dealer or call the
GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details.
All TTY users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Call 1-800-252-1112 for Buick Roadside Assistance.
As the proud owner of a new Buick vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Buick Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road. Buick’s Roadside
Assistance toll-free number is staffed by courteous and
capable Roadside Assistance Representatives who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel,
$5 maximum, for the customer to get to the
nearest service station.
Lock-out Service (identication required):
Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain
entry into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement
key will be covered within 10 miles.
Emergency Tow:Tow to the nearest dealership for
warranty service or in the event of a vehicle-disabling
accident. Assistance when the vehicle is mired in
sand, mud, or snow.
7-6

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
7-11

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-24
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-65
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-66
Care of Your CDs........................................3-66
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-53
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-44
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-63
Understanding Reception..............................3-64
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-29
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-29
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-71Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-59
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-58
Replacing Parts...........................................1-59
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-19
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts.........1-19
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-31
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked..........2-28
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-30
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-85
Center Passenger Position............................1-20
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
9

T
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-50
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-63
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-16
PASS-Key
®II ..............................................2-16
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Tires.............................................................5-53
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-87
Buying New Tires........................................5-64
Chains.......................................................5-68
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-70
Cleaning....................................................5-87
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-81
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-69
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-60
Inspection and Rotation................................5-63
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-73
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-61
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-71
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-79
Tire Sidewall Labelling..................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-57
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-64
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-36
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-36
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-34
Low Light...................................................3-34
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-21
Trip Odometer................................................3-30
Trunk............................................................2-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
11