ignition BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 User Guide

Trunk Lid Automatic Pull-Down Feature
(Option)
If your Buick has this option, never slam the trunk lid to
close it. Instead, gently lower the trunk lid until it is
nearly shut -- the automatic pull-down will take over
and lock the trunk firmly.
A CAUTION:
Your car may have an automatic pull-down
feature that helps close the trunk electronically.
Your fingers can be trapped under the trunk lid
as it goes down. Your fingers could be injured,
and
you would need someone to help you free
them. Keep your fingers away from the trunk lid
as you close it and as it is going down.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick has a number
of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
I Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for
joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
With the ignition
OFF and the driver’s door open, you’ll
hear
a chime reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
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Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it
up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What
if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
SECURITY
If your Buick has this
option, it has a
theft-deterrent alarm
system. With this system,
the SECURITY light will
flash as you open the door
(if your ignition
is OFF).
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter. The SECURITY
light should come
on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off
after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not
armed until
the SECURITY light goes off.
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If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or the
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter, the alarm will go off.
It will also go off if the trunk lock is damaged. Your
vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn will sound for
several minutes, then will turn off to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
activates only if you use a power door lock switch
or
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter. You should also
remember that you can start your vehicle with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off. You
must still shut off the alarm by inserting the key in the
door lock.
Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked
after the doors
are closed.
How to Test the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by first having the driver’s
window down. Activate the system by locking the
doors with the power door lock switch or the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter. Get out of the car, close the
door and wait for the SECURITY light to go out. Then
reach in through the window, unlock the door with the
manual door lock and open the door. This should set
off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown.
To
replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarrn by accident, unlock any door
with your key.
You can also turn
off the alarm by using the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter, if you have
it. The alarm
won’t stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
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PAS7-Kej I
T
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
11
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
11 is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
I1 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder
in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key I1 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
another 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
11.
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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 another ignition key.
See your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
11 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 11 system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
11 ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a lockskth who can service
PASS-Key
11 to have a new key made.
,
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:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
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.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
I
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I.
I
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
.. c
I
A E
ACCESSORY (A): An on position in which you can
operate your electrical power accessories. Press in the
ignition switch as you
hun the top of it toward you.
LOCK
(B): This is the only position in which yqu can
remove
the key. This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature.
.. ,
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
-.
wheel like LOCK and it doesn’f send any electrical
power to the accessories. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle
in motion while the engine is not running.
RUN (D): This is- an on position that the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the switch.
This is the position for driving.-Even when the engine is
not running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical ’
power accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will
return to RUN for normal driving.
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.
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Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the ignition, in the OFF
position, you will hear a warning chime when you open
the driver’s door.
Retained Accessory Power (Option)
If you have the optional Remote Keyless Entry, after
you turn your ignition off and even remove the key, you
will still have electrical power
to such accessories as the
radio and power windows for up
to 10 minutes. But if
you open a door, power
is shut off.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Buick
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift
to PARK (p) 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.
~~ ~~
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.
I I
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.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) 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 PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in the RUN position.
If you cannot shift
out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
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.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ‘(racing” (running
at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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Pal _____
Your Park Avenue has a
PUSHTORELEASE
parking brake pedal.
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 and a single chime
will be heard.
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake, 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 (approximately 40 feet (12.2 m)),
with the parking brake on, the brake light stays
on
and a continuous chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
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 part shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
I
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If
you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK
(P)
without first pulling it toward you. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
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