WIXLIB

Bumper-to-Bumper3-years/36,000 miles (60 000 km)Limited WarrantyEvery2000 Centuryunder warranty isbacked with thefollowingservices:1-800-252-1112( For vehicles purchased in Canada,call 1-800-268-6800)that provides in an emergency:CourtesyTransportationFree lockout assistanceFree dead-battery assistanceFree out-of-fuel assistanceFree flat-tire changeEmergency towing

2000 Buick CenturyOwner's ManualLitho in U.S.A.Part Number 10422241 A First Edition Copyright General Motors Corporation 1999All Rights Reservedi

Table of ContentsSeats and Restraint SystemsSection 1Seats and Seat ControlsSafety BeltsAir Bag SystemsChild RestraintsFeatures and ControlsSection 2iiKeys and Door LocksRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) SystemTrunk ReleaseAutomatic TransmissionParking BrakeWindowsTilt WheelTurn Signal/Multifunction LeverWindshield WipersCruise ControlInterior and Exterior LampsMirrorsStorage CompartmentsConvenience Net (If Equipped)Accessory Power Outlets/Auxiliary Power ConnectionOnStar System (If Equipped)Sunroof (Option)Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and GagesMemory and Personalization/Personal Choice Feature

Table of Contents (cont'd)Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsSection 3Heating and Air ConditioningSetting the Radio ClockRadio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent FeatureSteering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)Your Driving and the RoadSection 4Defensive DrivingDrunken DrivingControl of a VehicleBrakingSteeringDriving Tips for Various Road ConditionsRecreational Vehicle TowingLoading Your VehicleTowing a TrailerProblems on the RoadSection 5Hazard Warning FlashersJump StartingTowing Your VehicleEngine OverheatingChanging a Flat TireIf You're Stuckiii

Table of Contents (cont'd)Service and Appearance CareSection 6FuelChecking Fluids and LubricantsGM Oil Life System (If Equipped)Engine Air Cleaner/FilterPassenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)BrakesBulb ReplacementWindshield Wiper Blade ReplacementTires and WheelsAppearance CareElectrical System/Fuses and Circuit BreakersCapacities and SpecificationsNormal Maintenance Replacement PartsMaintenance ScheduleSection 7ivScheduled MaintenanceOwner Checks and ServicesPeriodic Maintenance InspectionsRecommended Fluids and LubricantsMaintenance Records

Table of Contents (cont'd)Customer Assistance InformationSection 8Customer Satisfaction ProceduresCustomer Assistance OfficesRoadside Assistance and Courtesy TransportationWarranty Information (See Warranty Manual)Reporting Safety Defects on page 8-10Service PublicationsIndexSection 9In the Index you will find an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual.You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.Please refer to the last page of this manual for your Service Station Guidev

We support voluntarytechnician certification.GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK,the BUICK Emblem and the name CENTURY areregistered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.This manual includes the latest information at the timeit was printed. We reserve the right to make changesin the product after that time without further notice.For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick MotorDivision whenever it appears in this manual.Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will bethere if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If yousell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the newowner can use it.For Canadian Owners Who Prefer aFrench Language Manual:Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vousprocurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chezvotre concessionaire ou au:DGN Marketing Services Ltd.1577 Meyerside Dr.Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9vi

How to Use this ManualMany people read their owner’s manual from beginningto end when they first receive their new vehicle. Ifyou do this, it will help you learn about the featuresand controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’llfind that pictures and words work together to explainthings quickly.Safety Warnings and SymbolsYou will find a number of safety cautions in this book.We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell youabout things that could hurt you if you were to ignorethe warning.CAUTION:These mean there is something that could hurtyou or other people.In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce thehazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you orothers could be hurt.You will also find a circlewith a slash through it inthis book. This safetysymbol means “Don’t,”“Don’t do this” or “Don’tlet this happen.”vii

Vehicle Damage WarningsAlso, in this book you will find these notices:NOTICE:These mean there is something that coulddamage your vehicle.In the notice area, we tell you about something that candamage your vehicle. Many times, this damage wouldnot be covered by your warranty, and it could becostly. But the notice will tell you what to do to helpavoid the damage.When you read other manuals, you might seeCAUTION and NOTICE warnings in differentcolors or in different words.You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They usethe same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.viii

Vehicle SymbolsThese are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.For example,these symbolsare used on anoriginal battery:CAUTIONPOSSIBLEINJURYPROTECTEYES BYSHIELDINGCAUSTICBATTERYACID COULDCAUSEBURNSAVOIDSPARKS ORFLAMESSPARK ORFLAMECOULDEXPLODEBATTERYThese symbolsare importantfor you andyour passengerswhenever yourvehicle isdriven:DOOR LOCKUNLOCKThese symbolshave to do withyour WINDOWAIR BAGThese symbolsare on some ofyour G INGFANThese symbolsare used onwarning andindicator lights:Here are someother symbolsyou may TERHORNBRAKECOOLANTSPEAKERENGINE OILPRESSUREFUELANTI-LOCKBRAKESix

Service Station GuideCooling SystemFora MoreDetailed Look atWhat's Under the HoodBatterySee Section 5See Section 6Tire PressureSee Section 6Spare Tire PressureSee Section 6See Section 5Hood ReleaseSee Section 6Windshield WasherFluidSee Section 6Engine Oil DipstickSee Section 6Oil ViscosityEngine OilSee Section 6FuelUse unleaded gas only,87 Octane or higher.See Section 6

Section 1 Seats and Restraint SystemsHere you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can alsolearn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.1- 21- 61- 111- 121- 121- 191- 201- 211- 29Seats and Seat ControlsSafety Belts: They’re for EveryoneHere Are Questions Many People Ask AboutSafety Belts -- and the AnswersHow to Wear Safety Belts ProperlyDriver PositionSafety Belt Use During PregnancyRight Front Passenger PositionAir Bag SystemCenter Passenger Position1- 311- 341- 371- 391- 541- 571- 571- 57Rear Seat PassengersRear Safety Belt Comfort Guides forChildren and Small AdultsChildrenChild RestraintsLarger ChildrenSafety Belt ExtenderChecking Your Restraint SystemsReplacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash1-1-1

Seats and Seat Controls2-Way Manual SeatThis section tells you how to adjust the seats andexplains the reclining seatbacks and head restraints.Manual Front SeatCAUTION:You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle ismoving. The sudden movement could startle andconfuse you, or make you push a pedal when youdon’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only whenthe vehicle is not moving.Lift the bar located under the front of the seat using anupward motion. This will unlock the seat. Slide the seat towhere you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seatwith your body to be sure the seat is locked into place.1-2

6-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)Reclining Front SeatbacksThe driver’s switch islocated on the left side ofthe driver’s seat cushion.The passenger’s switchis located on the rightside of the passenger’sseat cushion.To move the seat forward or rearward, push the switchforward or rearward. To raise or lower the entire seat,push the switch up or down. To raise or lower the frontportion of your seat, push the front of the switch up ordown. To raise or lower the rear portion of your seat,push the rear of the switch up or down.Lift the lever to release the seatback, then move theseatback to where you want it. Release the lever to lockthe seatback into place. Pull up on the lever withoutpushing on the seatback and the seatback willmove forward.1-3

CAUTION:But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicleis moving.Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle isin motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckleup, your safety belts can’t do their job whenyou’re reclined like this.The shoulder belt can’t do its job because itwon’t be against your body. Instead, it will bein front of you. In a crash you could go into it,receiving neck or other injuries.The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash thebelt could go up over your abdomen. The beltforces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.This could cause serious internal injuries.For proper protection when the vehicle is inmotion, have the seatback upright. Then sit wellback in the seat and wear your safety belt properly.Head RestraintsSlide the head restraint up or down so that the top of therestraint is closest to the top of your ears. This positionreduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.1-4

Split Folding Rear Seat (If Equipped)This feature enables youto access your trunk bypulling forward on theseat tab, located on therear seat, to fold the seatcushion down.This feature allows your direct access to the trunk.To return the seat to its original position, push it backup and make sure it latches.A lock out feature is located on the rear of the seat backwhen folded down. This will disengage the inside seattab when the release is locked. The seat will then onlyopen from the tab on the rear of the seat back, locatedinside the trunk.1-5

Safety Belts: They’re for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safety beltsproperly. It also tells you some things you should not dowith safety belts.And it explains the air bag system.CAUTION:Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t weara safety belt properly. If you are in a crash andyou’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuriescan be much worse. You can hit things inside thevehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriouslyinjured or killed. In the same crash, you mightnot be if you are buckled up. Always fasten yoursafety belt, and check that your passengers’ beltsare fastened properly too.1-6CAUTION:It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,people riding in these areas are more likely to beseriously injured or killed. Do not allow peopleto ride in any area of your vehicle that is notequipped with seats and safety belts. Be sureeveryone in your vehicle is in a seat and using asafety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a lightthat comes on as a reminderto buckle up. (See “SafetyBelt Reminder Light” inthe Index.)In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says towear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be soserious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.But most crashes are in between. In many of them,people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walkaway. Without belts they could have been badly hurtor killed.After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up doesmatter . a lot!You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have acrash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.1-7

Why Safety Belts WorkWhen you ride in or on anything, you go as fast asit goes.Put someone on it.Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seaton wheels.1-8

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoesn’t stop.The person keeps going until stopped by something.In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield .1-9