Buick 2002 Century User manual

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2002 Buick Century
Owner’s Manual
Litho in U.S.A. E Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/19/01
Part Number 10315396 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK,
the BUICK Emblem and the name CENTURY are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will
be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road.
If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

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How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you 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
the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and it could
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:
D “Engine Compartment Overview”
D “Instrument Panel”
D “Comfort Controls”
D “Audio Systems”
Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2 Seats and Seat Controls
1-6 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
1-10 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts -- and the Answers
1-11 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-12 Driver Position
1-19 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-20 Right Front Passenger Position
1-20 Air Bag Systems
1-28 Center Passenger Position
1-30 Rear Seat Passengers
1-33 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults
1-35 Children
1-39 Restraint Systems for Children
1-55 Older Children
1-58 Safety Belt Extender
1-58 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-58 Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

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Seats and Seat Controls
This section tells you how to adjust the seats and
explains the reclining seatbacks and head restraints.
Two-Way Manual Front Seats
CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving. Lift the bar located under the front of the driver’s and
the passenger’s seat. This will unlock the seat. Slide the
seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to
move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is
locked into place.

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Six-Way Power Seats (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with this feature, the
driver’s and passenger’s
controls are located on
the outboard sides of the
seat cushions.
D To move the seat forward or rearward, push the
control forward or rearward.
D To raise or lower the entire seat, push the control
up or down.
D To raise or lower the front of your seat, push the
front of the control up or down.
D To raise or lower the rear of your seat, push the rear
of the control up or down.
Reclining Front Seatbacks
Lift the lever located on the outboard side of the seat to
release the seatback, then move the seatback to where
you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback into
place. Pull up on the lever without pushing on the
seatback and the seatback will move forward.

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But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.
CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be
in 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 the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.