service BUICK PARK AVENUE 1994 Owners Manual

I
GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
Buick, and the Buick Emblem are registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Buick,
so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new
owner can use it.
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN WE SUPPORT
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
Nacmnal lnstllule for AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer
un exemplaire de ce guide en francais chez votre
concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd.,
1500 Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1C7.
2
ProCarManuals.com

/ 962 Buick Special
Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s
former
Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone of
General Motors, Buick City,
is a state-of-the-art
assembly facility with more than
200 robots and other
high-tech equipment.
It was completed in the fall of
1985.
Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American
motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich
detail and comfortable accommodation.
Ed Mertz, General Manager, Buick Motor Division.
Our mission is simple:
“Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars
backed
with services that exceed our customers’
expectations, throughout
the purchase, ownership,
service and repurchase experience.”
Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL.
Buicks are DISTINCTIVE.
Buicks are POWERFUL.
Buicks are MATURE.
7
ProCarManuals.com

Table of Contents
How to Use this Manual ................................................................ 10
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage \
warnings and symbols.
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 13
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properl\
y. It also explains the “SRS” system.
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 63
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 131
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
sound system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about
the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 195
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here
the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and \
looking good.
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This part tells you how
to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also
gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on pag\
e
305.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 161
Serviceand Appearancecare
............................................................ 227
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 283
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 303
Index
........................................................................\
........ 311
9
ProCarManuals.com

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows INFLATABLE RESTRAINT. The
system checks for electrical malfunctions, and the light
tells you if there is a problem.
INFL.
REST.
You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to “Run” or “Start.” Then the light
should go out, which means the system
is ready.
Remember, if the air bag readiness light doesn’t come
on when you start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on
when you are driving, your air bag system may not work
properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
How The Air Bag System Works
A. .. .. .
!
E
1
36
ProCarManuals.com

What will you see after an air bag inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly
deflate. This occurs
so quickly that some people may
not even realize that the air bag inflated. Some
components of the air bag module
in the steering wheel
hub for the driver’s air bag or the instrument panel for
the passenger’s bag may be hot for a short time, but the
portion of the bag that comes into contact with you will
not be hot to the touch. There will be small amounts
of
smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air
bags. The air bag
will not impede the driver’s vision or
ability to steer the vehicle,
nor will it hinder the
occupants from exiting the vehicle.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may occur in vehicles
with passenger air bags because the windshield acts as a
reaction surface for the inflating air bag.
0 The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some
new parts for your air
bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you
in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual has
information about the need to replace other parts.
0
0
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,
which records information about the air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the sensors are activated and
whether the driver’s safety belt was
in use.
Let only qualified technicians work
on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag
system won’t work properly. See your dealer for
service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right-front passenger’s air bag, they may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag on the steering wheel or both the air bag and
the instrument panel for the passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or break the air bag covers.
39
ProCarManuals.com

Is the smoke from an air bag inflation harmful?
The particles emitted during air bag inflation are not
harmful to most people. Some people with respiratory
ailments may experience difficulty breathing if they stay
in the vehicle with the windows closed after air bag
inflation.
So, if your air bag inflates, you and any
passengers should exit the vehicle if and when it
is safe
to do so. If you or your passengers can’t get out of the
vehicle, try to get fresh air by opening a window,
turning on the fan, or opening a door.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick
Air bags affect how your Buick should be serviced.
There
are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone
is working on your vehicle. Your
Buick dealer and the
1994 Park Avenue Service Manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and
the
air bag system. The air bag system does not need regular
maintenance.
40
ProCarManuals.com

This device 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.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions
on battery
replacement.
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
blocking the signal.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
See your Buick dealer or a qualified technician for
service.
Changes
or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Operation
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If quickly pressed again, all doors
will unlock. All doors will lock when LOCK is pressed. The
trunk will
unlock when the opened trunk symbol is
pressed, but only when the ignition is off.
Illuminated Entry System
If your Buick also has this option, the key tag will make
it work. Touch any button on the key tag to light up the
door locks and
the inside of your car. The lights will
stay
on for 15 to 30 seconds.
Theft Deterrent System
If your Buick also has this option, the key tag will arm it
whenever
the doors are closed and you push the LOCK
button. It will disarm the system when you push
UNLOCK.
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your
vehicle. If a transmitter
is
lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer. Remember to bring the remaining
transmitters with you when
you go to your dealer. When
the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your
vehicle,
the remaining transmitters must also be
matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost
transmitter will not unlock your vehicle,
71
ProCarManuals.com

When the PASS-Key% system senses that someone is using the wrong key,
it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes,
the starter
won’t work and
fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the “SECURITY’’ light comes
on, the key may be dirty
or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light may remain on during this
time. If
the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try the
other ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the
Index). If
the starter won’t work with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key@II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
“SECURITY” light
will flash. But you don’t have to
wait three minutes before trying one of the other ignition
keys.
See your Buick dealer or
a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key@II to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the “SECURITY” light comes
on and stays on,
you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key% system, however, is
not working properly
and must be serviced by your
Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key% system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@II ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key@II to have a
new key made.
78
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

Brake System Warning Light
BRAKE
Your Buick’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be
a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If
it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s
a problem. If
the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to
the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Car”
in the Index.)
The brake system warning light will also come on when
you set your parking brake, and
it will stay on if your
parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If you try to drive
off
with the parking brake set, a chime will also come on
until you release the parking brake. If the light and
chime stay on after your parking brake is
fully released.
it means you have a brake problem.
122
ProCarManuals.com