cruise control BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 Owners Manual

ion ever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
a Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
a Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer and
Passing Signal
a Windshield Wipers
a Windshield Washer
0 Cruise Control
ProCarManuals.com

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed
of about
25 mph (40 kmb) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts
off.
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn
the cruise control back on.
2-39
ProCarManuals.com

Setting CI I
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to.
You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep
the cruise control switch
OFF until you want
to use
it.
1.
2.
Move the cruise control
switch to ON.
Get up to the speed
you want.
3. Push in the SET
button at the end of the
lever
and release it.
The CRUISE light on
the instrument panel
will come on.
4. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
ProCarManuals.com

Resuming a Set Speed
Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then
applying the brake will end the cruise control function. Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 h/h) or more,
you can move the cruise
control switch from
ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate)
for about half a second to
reset. This returns you to
your desired preset speed.
Remember,
if you hold the switch at R/A longer than
half a second, the vehicle will accelerate until you
release the switch or apply the brake. You could be
startled and even lose control.
So unless you want to go
faster, don’t hold the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator
pedal to
go to a higher
speed. Ish the button at
the end of the lever, then
release the button and
1 the accelerator Dedal.
You’ll now c2se at the
higher speed.
ProCarManuals.com

0 Move the cruise switch from
ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you reach a
desired speed and then
release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move the
switch to
R/A for less than half a second and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will
go
about 1 mph (1.6 h/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the
SET button.
e -r--- Nhile Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
0 Push in the button at
the end of the lever
until you reach a
desired lower speed
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button for less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you'll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
'ing A Ither Vehicle 'w 1 *. e Using Cr ;e Loner
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down
to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
ProCarManuals.com

Using Cruise Control on Hills
Haw well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this
to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; or
0 Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go
out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Lamps
H Adlamps
This switch controls these systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
ProCarManuals.com

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If
you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system
working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal.
Traction Control System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine power
to
limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in
the Index.)
TRACTION
OFF
When the system is on, this
warning light will come on
to let you know if there’s a
problem with your traction
control system.
See “Traction Control System Warning Light” in the
Index. When this warning light
is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off
if you ever need to. (You
should turn the system
off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
ProCarManuals.com

POSl?lONS
r---------? I FUSE I I POSITIONS I
Position Circuitry
1
2
9
10
11
12
Door Locks, Trunk Pull-Down,
Fuel Door Release
Power Antenna, Lock Switch,
Trunk Release
Horns
Not Used Cruise Control, Misc. Engine
Controls
Fuel
F’ump
Injectors
Powertrain Control Module,
PASS-Key@II
Not Used
Not Used
A/C Programmer
Not Used
6-62
ProCarManuals.com

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your
GM dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a Buick service manual. See “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear, or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system, Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes,
loose connections, or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort
or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
7-42
ProCarManuals.com

Wheels ..................................... 6-53
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-51
Climate Control. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3- 11
Climate Control System ........................... 3- 1
Clock. Setting the ............................... 3-12
Coinholder
.................................... 2-59
Comfort Controls
................................ 3 - 1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-3 1
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3- 18. 3.22
Compact Disc Player Errors
.................. 3.20. 3.25
Comfort Controls. Steering Wheel
Touch Control
..... 3- 11
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-34
Compass. Rearview Mirror with
................... 2-52
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-60
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-55
Coolant
....................................... 6-23
Heater, Engine
............................... 2-22
Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-14. 5-16
Cooling System
................................ 5- 14
Cornering Lamps
............................... 2-45
Courtesy Lamps
................................. 2-47
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-5
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
Cupholders
.................................... 2-59
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- 1
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-3
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-54
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-53 Daytime Running
Lamps
......................... 2-44
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-1
Defogger. Rear Window
......................... 3 . 10
Defogging ..................................... 3-9
Defrosting
..................................... 3-9
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-66
Dolby
B Noise Reduction .............. 3-14.3-17. 3-25
Door Ajar Reminder
............................... 2-81
Central Unlocking System
....................... 2-4
Locks
....................................... 2-3
Driver Position
................................. 1 . 11
Driving
City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In
the Rain .................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
On Curves
................................... 4-9
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-22
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-25
Throughwater
............................... 4-18
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Defects. Reporting
Safety
..................... 8-7 . 8-8
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-36
9-3
ProCarManuals.com