Document Outline

• 2002 Buick Century Owner's Manual
  • Copyright General Motors Corp 2001
  • For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual:
  • How to Use this Manual
  • Safety Warnings and Symbols
  • Vehicle Damage Warnings
  • Vehicle Symbols
• Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
  • Seats and Seat Controls
    • Two-Way Manual Front Seats
    • Six-Way Power Seats (If Equipped)
    • Reclining Front Seatbacks
    • Head Restraints
    • Split Folding Rear Seat (If Equipped)
  • Safety Belts: They're for Everyone
    • Why Safety Belts Work
  • Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
  • How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
    • Adults
  • Driver Position
    • Lap-Shoulder Belt
      • Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
  • Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
  • Right Front Passenger Position
  • Air Bag Systems
    • How the Air Bag Systems Work
      • Where are the air bags?
      • When should an air bag inflate?
      • What makes an air bag inflate?
      • How does an air bag restrain?
      • What will you see after an air bag inflates?
    • Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
  • Center Passenger Position
    • Lap Belt
  • Rear Seat Passengers
    • Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
      • Lap-Shoulder Belt
  • Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults
  • Children
    • Infants and Young Children
  • Restraint Systems for Children
    • Where to Put the Restraint
    • Top Strap
    • Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
      • Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
    • Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position
    • Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position
    • Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position
  • Older Children
  • Safety Belt Extender
  • Checking Your Restraint Systems
  • Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
• Section 2 Features and Controls
  • Windows
    • Power Windows
      • Express-Down Window
  • Keys
  • Door Locks
    • Power Door Locks
    • Programmable Automatic Power Door Locks
      • Programmable Modes
    • Rear-Door Child Security Locks
    • Lockout Protection Feature
    • Leaving Your Vehicle
  • Remote Keyless Entry
    • Operation
      • Panic Alarm
      • Security Feedback
      • Delayed Locking
      • Illumination on Remote Activation
    • Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
    • Battery Replacement
  • Trunk
    • Trunk Lock
    • Remote Trunk Release
    • Trunk Assist Handle (If Equipped)
    • Trunk Release Handle (If Equipped)
    • Trunk Release Sensor TrapAlert_ System (If Equipped)
      • Disabling the Trunk Release Sensor
      • Servicing the Trunk Release Sensor
  • Theft
    • Key in the Ignition
    • Parking at Night
    • Parking Lots
  • PASS-Key II
  • New Vehicle "Break-In"
  • Ignition Positions
    • Retained Accessory Power (RAP) (If Equipped)
  • Starting Your Engine
  • Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
    • To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
  • Automatic Transaxle Operation
  • Parking Brake
  • Shifting Into PARK (P)
    • Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
    • Torque Lock
  • Shifting Out of PARK (P)
  • Parking Over Things That Burn
  • Engine Exhaust
  • Running Your Engine While You're Parked
  • Horn
  • Tilt Wheel
  • Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
    • Turn and Lane-Change Signals
    • Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
    • Flash-to-Pass Feature
    • Windshield Wipers
    • Windshield Washer
    • Cruise Control (If Equipped)
      • Setting Cruise Control
      • Resuming a Set Speed
      • Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
      • Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
      • Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
      • Using Cruise Control on Hills
      • Ending Cruise Control
      • Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
  • Exterior Lamps
    • Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic Headlamp Control
    • Delayed Headlamp Illumination
  • Interior Lamps
    • Instrument Panel Brightness Control
    • Courtesy Lamps
    • Illuminated Entry
    • Delayed Entry Lighting
    • Delayed Exit Lighting
    • Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps
    • Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
    • Battery Rundown Protection
  • Mirrors
    • Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
    • Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped)
    • Electrochromic Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
    • Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror with OnStar and Map Lamps (If Equipped)
    • Power Outside Foldaway Rearview Mirrors
    • Convex Outside Mirror
    • Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
  • Storage Compartments
    • Glove Box
    • Front Storage Armrest
    • Rear Storage Armrest (If Equipped)
    • Center Console (Option)
    • Convenience Net (If Equipped)
  • Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
  • Sun Visors
    • Visor Vanity Mirrors
      • Lighted Vanity Mirrors (Option)
  • Auxiliary Power Outlet (If Equipped)
  • Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
  • OnStar System (If Equipped)
    • Cellular Antenna
    • OnStar Services
    • OnStar System Limitations
  • Sunroof (Option)
    • The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
  • Instrument Panel Cluster
    • Speedometer and Odometer
      • Trip Odometer
  • Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
    • Safety Belt Reminder Light
    • Air Bag Readiness Light
    • Charging System Light
    • Brake System Warning Light
    • Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
    • Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
    • Low Traction Light
    • Engine Coolant Temperature Light
    • Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
    • Low Coolant Warning Light
    • Low Tire Light
    • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
      • If the Light Is Flashing
      • If the Light Is On Steady
      • Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
    • Oil Pressure Light
    • Low Oil Level Light
    • Change Oil Soon Light
    • Security Light
    • Cruise Light
    • Service Vehicle Soon Light
    • Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
    • Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
    • Fuel Gage
    • Low Fuel Light
• Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
  • Comfort Controls
    • Dual ComforTemp_ Climate Control
      • FAN:
      • DRIVER (Driver's Side Temperature):
      • PASSENGER (Passenger's Side Temperature):
      • Mode Knob
    • Dual Automatic ComforTemp_ Climate Control (If Equipped)
      • Manual Control
    • Heating
    • Heating (Engine Coolant Heater)
    • Air Conditioning
    • Defogging and Defrosting
    • Rear Window Defogger
    • Ventilation System
      • Ventilation Tips
  • Audio Systems
    • Setting the Clock
    • AM-FM Stereo
      • Playing the Radio
      • Finding a Station
      • Setting Preset Stations
      • Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
      • Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
    • AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
      • Playing the Radio
      • Finding a Station
      • Setting Preset Stations
      • Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
      • Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
      • Playing a Cassette Tape
      • Cassette Tape Messages
    • AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
      • Playing the Radio
      • Finding a Station
      • Setting Preset Stations
      • Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
      • Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
      • Playing a Cassette Tape
      • Cassette Tape Messages
    • AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
      • Playing the Radio
      • Finding a Station
      • Setting Preset Stations
      • Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
      • Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
      • Playing a Cassette Tape
      • Cassette Tape Messages
      • Playing a Compact Disc
      • Compact Disc Messages
    • Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
      • Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
      • Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss
      • Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
    • Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
    • Understanding Radio Reception
      • AM
      • FM Stereo
    • Tips About Your Audio System
    • Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
    • Care of Your Compact Discs
    • Care of Your Compact Disc Player
    • Fixed Mast Antenna
    • Backglass Antenna (If Equipped)
    • Diversity Antenna System (If Equipped)
• Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
  • Defensive Driving
  • Drunken Driving
  • Control of a Vehicle
  • Braking
    • Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
      • Using Anti-Lock
    • Braking in Emergencies
  • Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
  • Steering
    • Power Steering
      • Magnetic Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped)
    • Steering Tips
      • Driving on Curves
    • Steering in Emergencies
  • Off-Road Recovery
  • Passing
  • Loss of Control
    • Skidding
  • Driving at Night
  • Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
    • Hydroplaning
    • Driving Through Deep Standing Water
    • Driving Through Flowing Water
    • Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
  • City Driving
  • Freeway Driving
  • Before Leaving on a Long Trip
  • Highway Hypnosis
  • Hill and Mountain Roads
  • Winter Driving
    • Driving on Snow or Ice
    • If You're Caught in a Blizzard
  • Recreational Vehicle Towing
    • Dinghy Towing
    • Dolly Towing
  • Loading Your Vehicle
  • Towing a Trailer
    • If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
    • Weight of a Trailer
    • Weight of the Trailer Tongue
    • Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
    • Hitches
    • Safety Chains
    • Trailer Brakes
    • Driving with a Trailer
    • Following Distance
    • Passing
    • Backing Up
    • Making Turns
    • Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
    • Driving On Grades
    • Parking on Hills
    • When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
    • Maintenance When Trailer Towing
    • Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
• Section 5 Problems on the Road
  • Hazard Warning Flashers
  • Other Warning Devices
  • Jump Starting
  • Towing Your Vehicle
  • Engine Overheating
    • Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
    • If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
    • If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
  • Cooling System
    • How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank
    • How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
  • If a Tire Goes Flat
  • Changing a Flat Tire
    • Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
    • Removing the Wheel Center Caps
    • Removing the Wheel Covers (If Equipped)
    • Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire
    • Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
    • Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
  • Compact Spare Tire
  • If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
    • Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
• Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
  • Service
    • Doing Your Own Service Work
    • Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
  • Fuel
    • Gasoline Octane
    • Gasoline Specifications
    • California Fuel
    • Additives
  • Fuels in Foreign Countries
  • Filling Your Tank
  • Filling a Portable Fuel Container
  • Checking Things Under the Hood
    • Hood Release
    • Engine Compartment Overview
  • Engine Oil
    • Checking Engine Oil
    • When to Add Engine Oil
    • What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
    • Engine Oil Additives
    • When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System)
      • How to Reset the CHANGE OIL SOON Light
    • What to Do with Used Oil
  • Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
  • Passenger Compartment Air Filter
  • Automatic Transaxle Fluid
    • When to Check and Change
    • How to Check
      • Checking the Fluid Level
    • How to Add Fluid
  • Engine Coolant
    • What to Use
    • Checking Coolant
      • Adding Coolant
  • Radiator Pressure Cap
  • Power Steering Fluid
    • When to Check Power Steering Fluid
    • How to Check Power Steering Fluid
    • What to Use
  • Windshield Washer Fluid
    • What to Use
    • Adding Washer Fluid
  • Brakes
    • Brake Fluid
      • What to Add
    • Brake Wear
    • Brake Pedal Travel
    • Brake Adjustment
    • Replacing Brake System Parts
  • Battery
    • Vehicle Storage
  • Bulb Replacement
    • Halogen Bulbs
    • Headlamps
      • Headlamp Aiming
    • Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamps
    • Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
    • Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps
    • Back-Up Lamps
  • Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
  • Tires
    • Inflation -- Tire Pressure
      • When to Check
      • How to Check
    • Tire Inflation Monitor System
    • Tire Inspection and Rotation
      • When It's Time for New Tires
    • Buying New Tires
    • Uniform Tire Quality Grading
      • Treadwear
      • Traction -- AA, A, B, C
      • Temperature -- A, B, C
    • Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
    • Wheel Replacement
      • Used Replacement Wheels
    • Tire Chains
  • Appearance Care
  • Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
    • Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet
    • Using Cleaner on Fabric
    • Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
    • Cleaning Vinyl
    • Cleaning Leather
    • Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
    • Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
  • Care of Safety Belts
  • Cleaning Glass Surfaces
  • Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
  • Weatherstrips
  • Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
    • Washing Your Vehicle
    • Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
    • Finish Care
  • Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
  • Cleaning Tires
  • Sheet Metal Damage
  • Finish Damage
  • Underbody Maintenance
  • Chemical Paint Spotting
  • GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
    • Engine Identification
  • Service Parts Identification Label
  • Electrical System
    • Add-On Electrical Equipment
    • Headlamp Wiring
    • Windshield Wipers
    • Power Windows and Other Power Options
    • Fuses and Circuit Breakers
      • Instrument Panel Fuse Block
      • Underhood Fuse Block
  • Replacement Bulbs
  • Capacities and Specifications
    • Engine Specifications
  • Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
  • Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
• Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
  • Introduction
    • Your Vehicle and the Environment
    • Maintenance Requirements
    • How This Section is Organized
  • Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
    • Using Your Maintenance Schedule
  • Scheduled Maintenance
    • Footnotes
  • Scheduled Maintenance
    • Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
  • Scheduled Maintenance
  • Part B: Owner Checks and Services
    • At Each Fuel Fill
      • Engine Oil Level Check
      • Engine Coolant Level Check
      • Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
    • At Least Once a Month
      • Tire Inflation Check
      • Cassette Deck Service
    • At Least Twice a Year
      • Restraint System Check
      • Wiper Blade Check
      • Weatherstrip Lubrication
      • Automatic Transaxle Check
    • At Least Once a Year
      • Key Lock Cylinders Service
      • Body Lubrication Service
      • Starter Switch Check
      • Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check
      • Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
      • Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check
      • Underbody Flushing Service
  • Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
    • Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
    • Exhaust System Inspection
    • Fuel System Inspection
    • Engine Cooling System Inspection
    • Throttle System Inspection
    • Brake System Inspection
  • Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
  • Part E: Maintenance Record
• Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
  • Customer Satisfaction Procedure
  • Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users
  • Customer Assistance Offices
    • United States
    • Canada
    • All Overseas Locations
    • Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands)
  • GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities
  • Roadside Assistance
    • Canadian Roadside Assistance
  • Courtesy Transportation
    • Plan Ahead When Possible
    • Transportation Options
      • Shuttle Service
      • Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement
      • Courtesy Rental Vehicle
    • Additional Program Information
  • Warranty Information
  • REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
  • REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
  • REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS
  • SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
    • Service Manuals
    • Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
    • Service Bulletins
    • Owner's Information
    • Current and Past Model Order Forms