key BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owner's Manual

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
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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
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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.
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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.
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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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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 vehicle 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
fi-om 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 engine operates. Before qdding 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 Vehicle” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, .Oo F (- 18 O 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 AC outlet.
Plugging the cord’into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical ,shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use
a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
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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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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
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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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Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find
it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)”
in the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
befure you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the
pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
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 want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can
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shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. Open and close the driver’s
door to turn off the Retained Accessory Power
feature (if equipped).
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
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Press the LIGHTS switch to turn the headlamps on.
Press it again to turn them
off.
Press the PARK switch to turn the parking lamps on.
Press it again
to turn them off. (If the parking lamps
were turned on with the PARK switch, they must be
turned off with that switch.)
Lamps On Reminder
If you leave the manual headlamp or parking lamp
switch on, remove the key from the ignition and open
the driver’s door, you will hear a continuous warning
chime. The chime will turn
off when the lamps are
turned
off.
Daytime Running Lamps (Canada Only)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be’helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level
for the operation of DRL and
twilight sentinel,
so be sure it isn’t covered. The
DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:
The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off, and
0 The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t
be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will change to full brightness. The other
lamps that turn on with your headlamps, will also turn
on. When it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps
will turn
off, and your low-beam headlamps change to
the reduced brightness of
DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into PARK
(P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn
off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control all the way toward
MIN.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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Time Out Feature (Option)
On vehicles equipped with the optional Remote Keyless
Entry system, the interior lamps will automatically turn
off after a
10 minute period if a door is left open. This
feature
is designed to help eliminate battery wear down.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps go on. They
make it easy for you
to enter and leave the car. You can
also turn these lamps on by sliding the panel lights lever
to INT (interior).
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door, the interior lamps will come
on. When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for
25 seconds or until the
ignition
is turned to an on position. Please note that
locking the doors will override the delayed entry
lighting feature and the lamps will turn off right away.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition.
This will give you time
to find the door pull handle or
lock switches.
Illuminated Entry System (Option)
When you lift the outside handle of either front door or
press the
UNLOCK button on the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter, the lamps inside your vehicle
will turn on. These lamps will turn
off after about one
minute. These lamps will also turn
off if you start the
engine, press the
LOCK button on the transmitter or
activate the power door locks.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after
10 minutes to save your battery.
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Perimeter Lighting (Option)
When the UNLOCK button on the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the headlamps,
parking lamps, back-up lamps and cornering lamps will
come on
if it is dark enough outside according to the
twilight sentinel.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the twilight sentinel
and the perimeter lighting is active, the lights will come
on whenever the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter
is pressed.
This option can be programmed on or off for
each transmitter.
To turn the feature off
I 1. Press and hold the door lock switch throughout this
I 2. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter.
procedure. All
doors will lock.
Perimeter lighting remains on at this time and the
horn will chirp two times.
3. Press the instant alarm button on the key transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is disabled and the horn
will chirp one time.
4. Release the door lock switch. The' perimeter lighting
option is now
off.
To turn the feature on:
1. Press and hold the door lock switch throughout this
procedure. All doors will lock.
2. Press the instant alarm button on the key transmitter.
Perimeter lighting remains
off at this time and the'
horn will chup one time.
3. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is now enabled and the
horn will chup two times.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
option is now on.
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