BUICK PARK AVENUE 2004 Owner's Manual

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-30.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Pull the tab forward for daytime use;
push it back for night use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. Your vehicle’s mirror may also contain OnStar®
controls. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-41for
more information.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare. This change may take
a few seconds. The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the glare is reduced.
Mirror Operation
AUTO:Press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature.
OFF:Press this button to turn off the automatic
dimming feature.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature. To turn off automatic dimming, press
this button again.
The indicator light will be illuminated when this feature
is active.
2-36

Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. Your vehicle’s mirror may
also contain OnStar
®controls. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-41for more information.
The mirror also includes an eight-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Mirror Operation
MIRROR:Press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature. Press it again to turn off the automatic
dimming feature.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press and hold this button for several seconds
to turn on the automatic dimming feature. Press and
hold it again to turn the automatic dimming feature off.
The green indicator light will come on when this
feature is active. The automatic dimming feature will be
active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
COMPASS:Press this button once to turn the compass
on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®controls,
press this button once to turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass heading (N for North,
for example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item. If the letter
C should ever appear in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
Mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls can be placed
in calibration mode by pressing and holding the
on/off button untilaCisshown in the compass display.
2-37

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set in zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. If not adjusted to account for
compass variance, your compass could give false
readings.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold COMPASS (or the on/off button for
mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls) until a
zone number appears in the display.
3. Once a zone number appears in the display, press
the COMPASS button (or the on/off button for
mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls) quickly until
the correct zone number appears in the display.
Stop pressing the button and the mirror will return
to normal operation. If C appears in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration.
See “Compass Calibration” explained previously.
2-38

Outside Power Mirrors
Your vehicle has power mirror controls located on the
driver’s door armrest.Press L or R on the selector switch located below the
control pad to choose the left or right mirror. If you place
the switch in the center position, no mirror movement
will occur. To adjust a mirror, use the arrows located on
the control pad to move the mirror in the direction
you want it to go.
Adjust each mirror so you can see some of the side of
your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
The mirrors may also have an arrow that ashes when
the turn signal is used. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-5.
If your vehicle is equipped with the memory seat and
mirrors feature, these mirror positions, along with
the driver’s seat position can be stored in memory.
SeeMemory Seat and Mirrors on page 2-51.
2-39

Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If you have the DIC feature, the passenger’s outside
rearview mirror also includes a tilt-down feature
that operates when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R),
the passenger mirror will return to its original position
after a ve-second delay. This delay prevents movement
of the mirror if multiple gear transitions (REVERSE (R)
to DRIVE (D) to REVERSE (R)) occur during a
parallel parking maneuver. This feature can be
programmed on or off through the personal choice
selection menu. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-47orDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-51
for programming instructions.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-40

Outside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror
If you have this feature, the driver’s side outside
rearview mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps
behind you. This feature is controlled using the on and
off settings on the automatic dimming rearview mirror.
See “Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror” or “Automatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass” earlier in
this section.
If you have this feature, the left and right outside mirrors
are also heated when you activate the rear window
defogger. See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-24.
Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward.
In the rearward position, they will fold ush with the
vehicle. This feature is particularly useful in automatic
car washes.
OnStar®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. OnStar®uses
global positioning system (GPS) satellite technology,
wireless communications, and state of the art call
centers to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information and convenience services.
A complete OnStar
®user’s guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in your OnStar®-equipped
vehicle’s glove box literature. For more information, visit
www.onstar.com, contact OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827), or press the blue OnStar®button to
speak to an OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week.
A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required
prior to delivery of OnStar
®services and prepaid
calling minutes are also required for OnStar®Personal
Calling and OnStar®Virtual Advisor use. Terms and
conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be
found at www.onstar.com.
2-41

OnStar®Services
One of the following plans is normally included for a
specic duration with each vehicle equipped with
OnStar
®. You can upgrade or extend your OnStar®
service plan to meet your needs.
Safe and Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Air Bag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock
Remote Diagnostics
Online Concierge
Directions and Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan services
Route Support
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
Luxury and Leisure Plan

All Directions and Connections Plan services
Personal Concierge
OnStar®Personal Calling
With OnStar®Personal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless
phone that’s integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts and no additional roaming charges. To nd out
more about OnStar
®Personal Calling, refer to the
OnStar®owner’s guide in your vehicle’s glove box, or
call OnStar®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
With OnStar®Virtual Advisor you can listen to your
favorite news, entertainment and information topics,
such as traffic and weather reports, stock quotes
and sports scores. You listen to your e-mail through
your vehicle’s speakers, and reply with your hands on
the wheel and your eyes on the road.
2-42

HomeLink®Transmitter
HomeLink®, a combined
universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way
to replace up to three
hand−held transmitters
used to activate devices
such as gate operators,
garage door openers,
entry door locks, security
systems and home lighting.
Additional HomeLink
®information can be found on
the internet at www.homelink.com or by calling
1-800-355-3515.
If your vehicle is equipped with the HomeLink
®
transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes and modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
Programming the HomeLink®
Transmitter
Do not use the HomeLink®Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”
feature. This includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982. If you have a newer
garage door opener with rolling codes, please be
sure to follow steps 6 through 8 to complete the
programming of your HomeLink
®Transmitter.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the HomeLink
®Transmitter. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful to have another
person available to assist you in programming the
transmitter.
2-43

Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as
well as for future HomeLink®programming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle, the
programmed HomeLink
®buttons should be erased for
security purposes. Refer to “Erasing HomeLink®Buttons”
or, for assistance, contact HomeLink®on the internet at:
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the
garage door or gate operator you are programming.
When programming a garage door, it is advised to
park outside of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle’s engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,
releasing only when the indicator light begins to
ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not
repeat this step to program a second and/or third
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink
®buttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink
®
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
button on HomeLink
®and the hand-held transmitter
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4
has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers may
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure
noted in “Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming” later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then
rapidly after HomeLink
®successfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.
Release both buttons.
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink
®button
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on constantly, programming
is complete and your device should activate when the
HomeLink
®button is pressed and released.
To program the remaining two HomeLink®buttons,
begin with Step 2 under “Programming HomeLink®.”
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the
programmed channels.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds
and then turns to a constant light, continue with
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the
programming of a rolling-code equipped device
(most commonly, a garage door opener).
2-44