ecu BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997 Owner's Guide

A C~"rIO1
r --
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in
a sudden stop or turn,
or in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them
as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Towing a Trailer
/A CAL I'ION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your Buick dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Electronic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the
load changes. It's automatic
-- you don't need to
adjust anything.
4-32
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into
you vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Buick dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Park Avenue. See “Roadside
Assistance’’ in the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding after-market items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle can only be towed with certain
equipment, as described later in this section.
0 That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see them.
I
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
5-7
ProCarManuals.com

A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key in the
OFF position. The steering wheel should be
clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The transaxle
should
be in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels,
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
front wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in
this section .or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
5-8
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don’t try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover
in the trunk
until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
L!b, CAUTION: I
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In
a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need
to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
5-30
~
ProCarManuals.com

The release button for the
fuel door is to the left of the
steering column.
There is also a manual fuel
door release. This
mechanism
is located in the
top of the
tnxnk
compartment, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
Pull the white tab to release
the fuel door. While
refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel door. If necessary twist it clockwise to secure it.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
6-7
ProCarManuals.com

4. Beneath the trim panel are three nuts that secure the
taillamp assembly. Remove these nuts with a
10 mm
wrench. Remove the nuts from only the side you
want to access. The
turn signal and a stoplamp can
now be accessed.
5. Pull the taillamp assembly away from the vehicle.
6-41
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Chains
I NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Buick, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-56
ProCarManuals.com

1. Buckle the center passenger position safety belt, then
route the safety belts through the proper slots in the
seat cushion. Don’t let the safety belts get twisted.
seatback
so the rear locating guides hook into the
wire loops on the back frame.
2. Slide the rear of the cushion up and under the
3. With the seat cushion lowered, push rearward and
then press down on the seat cushion until the spring
locks on both ends engage.
4. Check to make sure the safety belts are properly
routed and that no portion of any safety belt is
trapped under the seat.
Also make sure the seat
cushion
is secured.
Replacement Bulbs
EXTERIOR BULB
Headlamp
High-Beam
........................... 9005
Low-Beam ........................... 9006
ParWTurn, Front ......................... 3057
Back-up
............................... 3057
Tailmum
............................... 3057
Tail/Stop
......................... . . 3057
6-75
ProCarManuals.com

Roadside Assistance
Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under the
3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 lun) new car
warranty (whichever occurs first). Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network
of 3,000 Buick
dealers. Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides
an extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance:
Provides owners with access to minor repairs or
Takes the anxiety out of uncertain situations by
towing
for disabled vehicles.
providing easy access to service professionals trained
to work with Buick owners, 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, including weekends and holidays.
For details on Buick Premium Roadside Assistance,
please consult your Buick Premium Roadside Assistance owner booklet included with your owner’s manual. For
needed assistance, call the Buick Premium Roadside
Assistance toll-free hotline: 1-800-252-1 112.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
8-5
ProCarManuals.com