Segment:
Mid-size sedan, positioned as a comfortable and practical family car within Buick's lineup.
Competitors:
Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima.
Primary Appeal:
Comfortable ride, spacious interior, smooth powertrain, and a reputation for reliability and value.
Target Audience:
Families, commuters, and individuals seeking a dependable and comfortable daily driver.
General:
Covers all aspects of the 2003 Buick Century owner experience.
Specific:
Instrument cluster, entertainment systems, climate controls, lighting, driver controls, locks, security, seating, safety restraints, driving operation, customer assistance, reporting safety defects (U.S. only), cleaning, engine compartment, engine oil, battery, fuel information, air filter, part numbers, refill capacities, lubricant specifications, accessories.
Estimated Pages:
Approximately 200-250 pages (typical for this era and model).
Powertrain:
Engine compartment layout, fluid checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid), battery maintenance, fuel system operation and recommendations, air filter replacement guidance.
Electrical:
Instrument cluster indicators and functions, lighting controls (headlights, taillights, interior lights), entertainment system operation, climate control system usage, power lock and window operation, security system features.
Chassis:
Driver controls (steering wheel, pedals, gear selector), seating adjustments, safety restraint system (seat belts, airbags) usage and care, basic vehicle cleaning procedures.
Basic Maintenance:
Checking and adding fluids, tire pressure checks, basic cleaning, understanding dashboard warnings.
Operation:
Starting the engine, driving recommendations, operating climate controls and entertainment systems, using locks and security features, proper use of safety restraints.
Troubleshooting:
Understanding warning lights, basic operational advice for common situations.
Level:
Consumer-level information for daily operation, basic maintenance, and understanding vehicle features. Not a service or repair manual.
Engine Type:
3.1L V6 (VIN M)
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 5200 rpm (approximate for 2003 model year)
Torque:
195 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (approximate for 2003 model year)
Type:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Recommended Fuel:
87 octane Regular Unleaded Gasoline (as per typical owner's manual).
NHTSA Frontal Driver:
Not explicitly provided in product info, but typically 4 or 5 stars for vehicles of this era and class.
NHTSA Frontal Passenger:
Not explicitly provided in product info, but typically 4 or 5 stars for vehicles of this era and class.
Traction Control:
Optional on some trims.
ABS:
Standard on most trims.
Airbags:
Frontal airbags for driver and front passenger; optional side-impact airbags.
Seat Belts:
3-point seat belts with pretensioners for front occupants.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 7,500 miles or 6 months, using synthetic oil, or 3,000-5,000 miles with conventional oil. Exact interval depends on driving conditions and oil used. Refer to manual for detailed recommendations.
Tire Rotation:
Every 7,500 miles.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (preferred) or Conventional. Check manual for exact API classification (e.g., API SM or SN).
Coolant Type:
GM Approved Type II Coolant (Orange or Dex-Cool equivalent).
Power Steering Fluid Type:
Dexron-III (or equivalent).
Washer Fluid Type:
Automotive windshield washer fluid.
Common Problems:
Intake manifold gasket leaks (especially on earlier 3.1L V6 engines), transmission issues (like torque converter shudder), minor electrical gremlins, power steering leaks, window regulator failures. Regular maintenance as outlined in the manual is crucial to mitigate these.
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.5 quarts (with filter) for 3.1L V6 (approximate, verify in manual).
Coolant Capacity:
Approximately 8.5 quarts for 3.1L V6 (approximate, verify in manual).
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
Approximately 5.5 quarts (dry fill, more when changing filter). Verify in manual.
Oil Filter Example:
ACDelco PF1218, Fram PH3500, Mobil 1 M1-102A (Examples - actual part numbers may vary by specific filter brand/type, and the manual would typically list GM or ACDelco recommended numbers).
Air Filter Example:
ACDelco A3144C, Fram CA8033 (Examples - actual part numbers may vary by specific filter brand/type, and the manual would typically list GM or ACDelco recommended numbers).
Manufacturer:
Buick, a division of General Motors (GM).
Generation:
Third generation (1997-2005).
Key Updates For 2003:
Minor styling tweaks, potential updates to feature availability, powertrain remained largely the same.
Manufacturing Location:
Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Production Years:
1997-2005
