BUICK PARK AVENUE 1994 Manual Online

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
1. Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
2. Avoid making hard stops for the first 200
miles (322 km) or so. During this time your
new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in” guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Ignition Key Positions
Your square-headed key
operates your
ignition lock.
79
ProCarManuals.com

With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions:
(A) Accessory: This position lets you use things like the
radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off.
To use, push in the key and turn it toward you. Your
steering wheel will remain locked, just as
it was before
you inserted the key.
(B) Lock: Before you put the key in, your ignition will
be
in the Lock position. This position locks your
ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s
a theft
deterrent feature.
(C) Off: This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like Lock.
Use “Off’ if you must have your car in
motion while the engine is off.
(D) Run: This is the position for driving.
(E) Start: This key position starts your engine.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “Lock” and you can’t
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then turn
the steering wheel left and right while you
turn
the key hard. But turn the key only with your
hand. Using a tool to force
it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
80
ProCarManuals.com

Retained Accessory Power (Option)
After the ignition is turned off, and before any door is
opened, the following systems will work for
ten
minutes:
0 Power Windows
0 Radio
Optional Astroroof
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start
in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use “N” (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if your Buick is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
“P” (Park) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to “Start.” When the engine starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
I NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for longer than 15
seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner.
And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start”
for about three to five seconds at a time
until your
engine starts.
Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
ProCarManuals.com

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. After
waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting
procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If
you don’t, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to
do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Car”
in the Index.
Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
I NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come
in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine.
If you can’t avoid deep puddles or
standing water, drive through them very slowly.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater) (Canada Only)
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.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt outlet.
82
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
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 weather, the kind
of oil you
have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list
everything here,
we ask that you contact a Buick dealer in
the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area. There are
several different positions for your shift lever.
P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
83
ProCarManuals.com

Ensure the shift lever is fully in T’ (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have
to fully apply your regular
brakes
before you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition key
is in the “Run” position. If you cannot shift
out of “P’ (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push the
shift lever all the way into
“P’ (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear
you wish. See “Shifting Out of ‘P’ (Park)”
in this part.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to “R” only after your vehicle is stopped.
I
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
0 N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn t connect with the
wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only. Also, use “N” when your vehicle
is being towed.
84
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
@ Automatic Overdrive
This position is for normal driving. If you need more
power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
D or 3 (Third Gear)
This is like @, but you never go into Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose
“D or 3 ”
instead of @:
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
- When going down a steep hill
between
gears
2 (Second Gear)
This position gives you more power but lower fuel
economy.
You can use “2” on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads,
but then you would also want to use your
brakes
off and on.
QL
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Don’t drive in “2” (Second Gear) for more than 5
miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h),
or you can damage your transaxle. Use
“@” or
“@ or 3” as much as possible.
Don’t shift into
“2” unless you are going slower
than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage your
engine.
1 (First Gear)
This position gives you even more power (but lower
fuel economy) than
“2.” You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is
put in
“1,” the transaxle won’t shift into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand
or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there
with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into
“P” Park
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right
foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your
left foot. If the
ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will
come on.
The parking brake uses
the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake: This vehicle has a push
to release parking brake pedal. Hold
the regular brake
pedal down and push the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. This
will unlock the pedal. When you lift your
left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
release position.
If
you try to drive off with the parking brake on, the
brake light stays on and a chime sounds until you release
the parking brake or recycle the ignition.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your
rear brakes to overheat.
You may have to replace
them, and you could
also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill:
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section
shows what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
87
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into 66 P 79 (Park)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into “P’ (Park) position like
this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
88
ProCarManuals.com