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Every2001 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

2001 Buick CenturyOwner's ManualLitho in U.S.A.Part Number 10422380 A First Edition Copyright General Motors Corporation 2000All Rights Reservedi

Table of ContentsSeats and Restraint SystemsSection 1Seats and Seat ControlsSafety BeltsAir Bag SystemsRestraint Systems for ChildrenFeatures and ControlsSection 2iiWindowsKeys and Door LocksRemote Keyless EntryTrunk ReleaseAutomatic TransaxleParking BrakeTilt WheelTurn Signal/Multifunction LeverWindshield WipersCruise Control (If Equipped)Exterior and Interior LampsMirrorsStorage CompartmentsConvenience Net (If Equipped)Auxiliary Power ConnectionOnStar System (If Equipped)Sunroof (If Equipped)Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages

Table of Contents (cont'd)Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsSection 3Heating and Air ConditioningSetting the Radio ClockRadio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent FeatureAudio Steering 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 ProcedureCustomer Assistance OfficesRoadside Assistance and Courtesy TransportationWarranty Information (See Warranty Manual)Reporting Safety Defects on page 8-9Service 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 changesafter that time without further notice. For vehicles firstsold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors ofCanada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever itappears 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:Helm, IncorporatedP.O. Box 07130Detroit, MI 48207vi

How to Use this ManualMany people read their owner’s manual from beginningto end when they first receive their new vehicle. If youdo this, it will help you learn about the features andcontrols for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll findthat 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 use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.viii

Vehicle SymbolsThese are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.For example,these symbolsare used on anoriginal battery:CAUTIONPOSSIBLEINJURYPROTECTEYES BYSHIELDINGCAUSTICBATTERYACID COULDCAUSEBURNSAVOIDSPARKS ORFLAMESSPARK ORFLAMECOULDEXPLODEBATTERYThese symbolsare important foryou and yourpassengerswhenever yourvehicle is driven:CHILDRESTRAINTTOP STRAPANCHORDOOR LOCKUNLOCKThese symbolshave to do withyour lamps:These symbolsare on some ofyour R BAGFOG LAMPSWINDSHIELDDEFROSTERREARWINDOWDEFOGGERThese symbolsare used onwarning andindicator lights:Here are someother symbolsyou may TERHORNBRAKECOOLANTFUELENGINE OILPRESSUREVENTILATINGFANANTI-LOCKBRAKESix

Service Station GuideWindshield WasherFluidSee Section 6ForBatterySee Section 6a MoreDetailed Look atWhat's Under the HoodCooling SystemTire PressureSee Section 6See Section 5See Section 6Spare Tire PressureSee Section 5Hood ReleaseSee Section 6Engine Oil DipstickFuelSee Section 6Use unleaded only.See Section 6for octane ratings.Oil ViscosityEngine OilSee 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 SystemsCenter Passenger Position1-311-341-361-401-551-581-581-58Rear Seat PassengersRear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Childrenand Small AdultsChildrenRestraint Systems for ChildrenOlder ChildrenSafety Belt ExtenderChecking Your Restraint SystemsReplacing Restraint System Parts Aftera Crash1-1-1

Seats and Seat ControlsThis section tells you how to adjust the seats andexplains the reclining seatbacks and the head restraints.2-Way Manual Front SeatsCAUTION: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.1-2Lift the bar located under the front of the driver’s andthe passenger’s seat. This will unlock the seat. Slide theseat to where you want it and release the bar. Try tomove the seat with your body to be sure the seat islocked into place.

6-Way Power Seats (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 tolock the seatback into place. Pull up on the leverwithout pushing on the seatback and the seatbackwill move forward.1-3

CAUTION:But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicleis moving.1-4Sitting 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 sitwell back in the seat and wear your safetybelt properly.

Head RestraintsSplit Folding Rear Seat (If Equipped)This feature enables youto access your trunk.Pull forward on the seat tab,located on the rear seatback,to fold the seatback down.To return the seatback to its original position, push itback up and make sure it latches.Slide 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.1-5

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:A lockout feature is located on the rear of the seatbackwhen 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 seatback, locatedinside the trunk.1-6Don’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.

CAUTION: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 usinga safety belt properly.Your vehicle has a light thatcomes on as a reminder tobuckle up. See “SafetyBelt Reminder Light” inthe Index.In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says towear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do havea crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.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!1-7

Why Safety Belts WorkWhen you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it 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