coolant temperature BUICK PARK AVENUE 2005 Owner's Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather,
0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater
can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant
heater should be plugged in a minimum of four
hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is
not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-25

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Security Light...............................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-46
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-50Audio System(s).............................................3-55
Setting the Time...........................................3-55
Radio with Cassette......................................3-56
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-60
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-66
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-69
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-72
Radio Reception...........................................3-72
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-73
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-74
Care of Your CD Player................................3-74
Heated Backlite Antenna................................3-74
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

If there is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off, the warning light will come on
and the chime will sound.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off, the
warning light will come on and the chime will sound.
If the traction control system warning light comes on and
stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures the
temperature of the
vehicle’s engine. If the
pointer moves into
the shaded area, the
engine is too hot. A
temperature indicator light
will turn on and a chime
will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, and the temperature indicator
light comes on, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
3-40

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Driver Information
Center (DIC). The DIC will display information about
how your vehicle is functioning, as well as warning
messages if a system problem is detected.
The following buttons are
on the DIC control panel
located to the left of
the steering column:
ODO/TRIP (Odometer/Trip):Use this button to display
your total and trip miles.
FUEL INFO (Information):Press this button to display
fuel information such as fuel used, fuel range and
fuel economy.GAGE INFO (Information):Use this button to display
oil pressure, oil life, coolant temperature, tire pressure
and battery information.
RESET:This button, used along with other buttons, will
reset system functions.
ENG/MET (English/Metric):Use this button to change
the display between English and metric units.
DIC Controls and Displays
When you turn the ignition on, the DIC will display your
driver number. You can have your GM dealer program
your name to appear on this display line. See your
GM dealer for more information.
The system will then perform a status check and display
any messages if a problem is detected. If there are
no problems detected, the display will return to the mode
selected by that driver the last time the ignition was
turned off.
If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will
appear in the display. The following pages will show the
messages you may see on the DIC display.
The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle’s performance status.
3-46

ODO/TRIP (Odometer/Trip)
When this button is pressed, the display will show the
total mileage, and TRIP 1 or TRIP 2 miles. TRIP 1
and TRIP 2 will display the miles traveled since the last
reset. To reset the trip odometer, press the ODO/TRIP
button until the trip miles are shown in the DIC
display, then press the RESET button. The trip odometer
will now accumulate miles until the next reset.
FUEL INFO (Information)
Fuel Used:Press the FUEL INFO button until the
display shows FUEL USED. This display will show you
how much fuel has been used since the last reset.
To learn how much fuel is used from a new starting
point, press the RESET button while the fuel used
is displayed in the DIC.
Fuel Range:Press the FUEL INFO button until the
display shows FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will
calculate the remaining distance you can drive without
refueling. This calculation is based on the average
fuel economy for the last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven,
and the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The RESET
button does not function in this mode.Instantaneous Fuel Economy:Press the FUEL
INFO button until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY
INST. Instantaneous fuel economy is the current fuel
economy that the vehicle has right now. Instantaneous
fuel economy varies with your driving conditions, such
as acceleration, braking and the grade of the road
being traveled. The RESET button does not function in
this mode.
Average Fuel Economy:Press the FUEL INFO button
until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE.
Average fuel economy is the long term approximation of
your overall driving conditions. To learn the average
fuel economy from a new starting point, press the
RESET button while the average fuel economy is
displayed in the DIC.
GAGE INFO (Information)
Coolant Temperature:Press the GAGE INFO button
until COOLANT TEMP appears in the display. If
there are no problems detected with the temperature,
COOLANT TEMP NORMAL will appear in the display. If
the temperature is too high, COOLANT TEMP HOT
will appear in the display. If you see the COOLANT
TEMP HOT message, your engine is overheated. You
should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off your engine as soon as possible. This manual
explains what to do. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
3-47

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-25.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-24

The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at FULL
COLD or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to FULL HOT or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery tank,but
be careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-28.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as well
as an engine coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
5-26

96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission
Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.❑If you have not used your vehicle under severe
service conditions listed previously and, therefore,
have not changed your automatic transaxle uid,
change both the uid and lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
Long Trip/Highway
Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of
this vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-19
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-23.
6-13

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission
Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
❑If you have not used your vehicle under severe
service conditions listed previously and, therefore,
have not changed your automatic transaxle uid,
change both the uid and lter
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-18

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers
for Children (LATCH System).....................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-25
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-88
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-87
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-87
Glass Surfaces............................................5-86
Instrument Panel.........................................5-85
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-85
Leather......................................................5-85
Speaker Covers..........................................5-86Cleaning (cont.)
Tires..........................................................5-88
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Vinyl..........................................................5-85
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-86
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-88
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-30
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-31
Dual Automatic............................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-31
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-24
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-82
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-47
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-25
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cornering Lamps............................................3-15
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-16
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
3