User manual BUICK CENTURY 1998

[. . . ] f The 1998 Buick Century Owner's Manual 1-1 2-1 3-1 4- 1 5- 1 Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the "SRS" system. Features and Controls This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle. Comfort Controls and Audio Systems This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system. Your Driving and the Road Here you'll find helpful information and tips about the road and howto drive under different conditions. Problems on the Road This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc. 6- 1 7-1 Service and Appearance Care Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly andlooking good. Maintenance Schedule This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use. 8- 1 9- 1 Customer Assistance Information This section tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service and owner publications. It also gives you information on "Reporting Safety Defects" on page 8-8. Index Here's an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read. i We support voluntary technician certification. GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem and the name CENTURY are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. [. . . ] If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stopand the brake pedal will be harder to push. Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes(ABS). ABS is an advanced electronic brakingsystem that will help prevent a braking skid. When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may hear amomentary motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal. ANTI LOCK If there's a problem with the anti-lock brake system, this warning light will stay on or flash. See "Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light" in the Index. 4-7 The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions. Here's how anti-lock works. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. Here's what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at both rear wheels. You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. 4-8 Remember: Anti-lock doesn't changethe time you need to getyour foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close the vehiclein to front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops orthe system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Using Anti-Lock Don't pump the brakes. Justhold the brakepedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a slight brakepedal pulsation or notice some noise, but this is normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, this light will come on. See "Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light" in Index. the Magnetic Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped) TM This steeringsystem provides lighter steering effort for parking and when driving at low speeds. Steeringeffort will increase at higher speeds for improved road feel. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. LOW TRAC A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver orbeginner, each of us is subject to the samelaws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertiawill keep Braking in Emergencies With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steeringcan help you more than even the very best braking. 4-9 the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steera vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The traction you can get a curve depends on the in condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curveis banked, and your speed. [. . . ] Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventilation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ]