1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual 1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual
Automatic Transaxle OperationYour shift lever is located on the steering column.There are several different positions for your shift lever.IPRNpl321PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the bestposition to use when you start your engine because yourvehicle can’t move easily.IA CAUTION:IIt is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if theshift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with theparking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine isrunning unless you have to. If you have the leftengine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.You or others could be injured. To be sure yourvehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairlylevel ground, always set your parking brake andmove the shift lever to PARK (P).See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. Ifyou’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”in the Index.2-16
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.NOTICE:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle ismoving forward could damage your transaxle.Shift to WVERSE (R) only after your vehicle isstopped.To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’tconnect with the wheels. To restart when you’realready moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, useNEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.I A CAUTION:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) whileyour engine is “racing” (running at high speed) isdangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on thebrake pedal, your vehicle could move veryrapidly. You could lose control and hit people orobjects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) orNEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): If your automatictransaxle has AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@), thisposition is for normal driving. If you need more powerfor passing, and you’re:- Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push youraccelerator pedal about halfway down.- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push theaccelerator all the way down.You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.2-17
- Page 23: or the instrument panel ... or the
- Page 26 and 27: Automatic Lap-Shoulder BeltThis saf
- Page 29 and 30: @ What's wrong with this?CAUTION:Yo
- Page 31 and 32: @ What’s wrong with this?A CTION:
- Page 33 and 34: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
- Page 35 and 36: When should an air bag inflate?The
- Page 37 and 38: Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Bui
- Page 39 and 40: Center Passenger Position andAny St
- Page 41 and 42: =Shoulder BeltThe positions next to
- Page 43 and 44: You can be seriously hurt if your s
- Page 45 and 46: Child RestraintsBe sure the child r
- Page 47 and 48: 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the r
- Page 49 and 50: 5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the r
- Page 51 and 52: A CAUTION:Don’t use the speciaI i
- Page 53 and 54: 4. You can make the belt longer by
- Page 55 and 56: Larger ChildrenChildren who have ou
- Page 57 and 58: Never do this.Here a child is sitti
- Page 59 and 60: Here you can learn about the many s
- Page 61 and 62: Door LocksUnlocked doors can be dan
- Page 63 and 64: Your Remote Keyless Entry System op
- Page 65 and 66: TrunkLiftgatec-- ~-A CAUTION:Trunk
- Page 67 and 68: Turn the key to the left to release
- Page 69 and 70: OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel
- Page 71 and 72: NOTICE:Your engine is designed to w
- Page 73: 10 use the coolant heater:1. Turn o
- Page 77 and 78: FIRST (1): This position gives you
- Page 79 and 80: 2. Move the shift lever into the PA
- Page 81 and 82: Shifting Out of PARK (P)Your Buick
- Page 83 and 84: -A CAUTION:It can be dangerous to g
- Page 85 and 86: Wrn SignaVMultifunction LeverTurn S
- Page 87 and 88: For steady wiping at low speed, tur
- Page 89 and 90: ICruise control can be dangerous wh
- Page 91 and 92: Passing Another Vehicle While Using
- Page 93 and 94: Courtesy LampsWhen any door is open
- Page 95 and 96: MirrorsInside Daymight Rearview M r
- Page 97 and 98: Storage ArmrestRear Locking Storage
- Page 99 and 100: a. . , .- . ..,.,To use the cover,
- Page 101: 1 NOTICE:Don’t put papers and oth
- Page 104 and 105: Instrument Panel ClusterLOWTRACTION
- Page 106 and 107: Speedometer and OdometerYour speedo
- Page 108 and 109: Battery LightI-+IThe battery warnin
- Page 110 and 111: If the light flashes when you’re
- Page 112 and 113: Engine Coolant Temperature GageIkTE
- Page 114 and 115: If the Light Is FlashingThe followi
- Page 116 and 117: The oil light could also come on in
- Page 118 and 119: NOTES2-60
- Page 120 and 121: The upper lever has three air condi
- Page 122 and 123: Ventilation Tips000Keep the hood an
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.NOTICE:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle ismoving forward could damage your transaxle.Shift to WVERSE (R) only after your vehicle isstopped.To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’tconnect with the wheels. To restart when you’realready moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, useNEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.I A CAUTION:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) whileyour engine is “racing” (running at high speed) isdangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on thebrake pedal, your vehicle could move veryrapidly. You could lose control and hit people orobjects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) orNEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): If your automatictransaxle has AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@), thisposition is for normal driving. If you need more powerfor passing, and you’re:- Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push youraccelerator pedal about halfway down.- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push theaccelerator all the way down.You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.2-17