BUICK PARK AVENUE 2002 Repair Manual

1-55
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can't properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
ªRear Safety Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child's face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.

1-56
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-57
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-16 Trunk
2
-19 Theft
2
-20 Content Theft-Deterrent System
2
-21 PASS-Key
III
2
-23 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-24 Ignition Positions
2
-25 Starting Your Engine
2
-27 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-28 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-31 Parking Brake
2
-32 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-35 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-35 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-36 Engine Exhaust
2
-36 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-37 Tilt Wheel
2
-38 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-50 Mirrors
2
-54 Storage Compartments
2
-62 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-66 Sunroof (Option)
2
-67 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-72 Instrument Panel Clusters
2
-75 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-87 Driver Information Center (DIC) (If
Equipped)
2
-97 Head-Up Display (HUD) (If Equipped)
2
-99 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) (Option)

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3 Power Windows
Use the switches on the driver's armrest to control each
of the windows while the ignition is on or while
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP) in the Index for
more information. In addition, each passenger door has
a window switch.Express
-Down Window
The AUTO switch on the driver's door armrest has an
express
-down feature. Pull the switch back all the way;
then release it and the window will lower automatically.
To stop the window from lowering, pull the switch
again. To partially open the window, pull the switch
back half way. When the switch is released, the window
will stop moving. To raise the window, press and hold
the switch forward.
Window Lock
Press the Window Lock button on the driver's armrest
to disable all passenger window switches, or just the rear
passenger switches. The middle of the switch will light
to indicate that window lockout is active. Even when the
passenger's windows are disabled, the driver's window
controls will still be operable.
Press the Window Lock button a second time to allow
passengers to use their window controls again. The light
in the center of the switch will go off to indicate that the
feature is disabled.
If you have the DIC, you can choose to lock out only
the rear windows. See ªPersonal Choice Featuresº or
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index for
programming instructions.

2-4
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
Your vehicle has a two-key system. One key is the
master and the other is a valet key.

2-5
The master key is used for
the ignition, as well as the
driver's door lock, trunk
and glove box.
The VALET key is used for
the ignition and the driver's
door only. It will not open
the trunk or glove box. This
is a theft
-deterrent feature.
The VALET key should
always be used when valet
parking your vehicle.Your vehicle has the PASS
-Key
III vehicle theft
system. Both the master and VALET key have a
transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in
the vehicle's steering column. If a replacement key or
any additional key is needed, you must purchase this key
from your dealer. The key will have PK3 stamped on it.
Keep the bar code tag that came with the original keys.
Give this tag to your dealer if you need a new key made.
Any new PASS
-Key III key must be programmed before
it will start your vehicle. See ªPASS
-Key
IIIº in the Index
for more information on programming your new key.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar

System
with an active subscription and you lock your keys
inside the vehicle, OnStar may be able to send a
command to unlock your vehicle. See ªOnStar


Systemº in the Index for more information.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can help
prevent theft. But you can have a lot of trouble
getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your keys
inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle
to get in. So be sure you have extra keys.

2-6
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

Passengers -- especially children -- can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
handle won't open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren't locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
To lock or unlock the door from the outside, use
your door key or remote keyless entry transmitter
(if equipped).
To lock or unlock the door from the inside, move the
manual lock on the door handle forward or rearward.

2-7 Central Door Unlocking System
From outside the vehicle, if the driver's door key is held
in the unlock position for more than two seconds, or if
the key is turned to the unlock position twice within
three seconds, all doors will unlock.
Power Door Locks
With power door locks, you
can lock or unlock all doors
on your vehicle using either
the driver's or the front
passenger's power door
lock switch.
Door Ajar Reminder (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), and a door is not fully closed, the DIC
will display a DOOR AJAR message. See ªDriver
Information Center (DIC)º in the Index.
Automatic Door Locks
Close the doors and turn on the ignition. If all the doors
are closed, every time you move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) all of the doors will lock. And, every time
you stop and move the shift lever into PARK (P), the
doors will unlock. If someone needs to get out while
you're not in PARK (P), have that person use the manual
or power lock. When the door is closed again, it will not
lock automatically. Just use the manual or power lock to
lock the door again. If you need to lock the doors before
shifting out of PARK (P), just use the manual or power
lock switch to lock the doors.