coolant BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD
&
BAllERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
X
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
RUNNING
* ' 0
DAYTIME -
LAMPS .'*
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAlTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
a
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
IJ
FUEL p3
1 I
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick, and information on starting, shifting
and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working
properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-4
2-8
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2-15 2-16
2- 17
2-
19
2-20
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2-22
2-23
2-27
2-28
2-30
2-3
1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Content Theft Deterrent
PASS-Key@
III
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That
Burn
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2-33
2-34
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2-44
2-46
2-50
2-55
2-64
2-64
2-68
2-73
2-82
2-84 Engine Exhaust
Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Astroroof
Universal Transmitter
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Driver Information Center (DIC)
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NOTICE:
I
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.
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.
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 from 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 adding 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, 0°F (- 1 8 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.
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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 110-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.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged. How long should
you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
lund
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Buick dealer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for
that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
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The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
e
0
e
If you turn the system off by pressing the button
located on the end of the shift lever, the warning
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning light
should go
off. (See “Traction Control System” in
the Index for more information.)
If there’s a brake system problem that
is specifically
related
to traction control, the traction control system
will turn
off, the warning light will come on and the
chime will sound.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine related problem, the system will turn off,
the warning light will come on and the chime
will sound.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period
of time when the
system
is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
TEMPERATURE
This gage measures the
temperature of your engine.
If the pointer moves into the
red area, your engine is too
hot.
A temperature indicator
light will turn on and a
chime will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions and the temperature indicator light
turns on, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The section “Problems on the Road,” in this manual
explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
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To clean the HUD lens, spray household glass cleaner
on a soft, clean cloth. Gently wipe
and dry the HUD
lens. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens to avoid
cleaner leaking inside the unit.
If the ignition is on and you can’t see the HUD image,
check to see
if
The headlamps are on.
Something is covering the HUD unit.
The HUD dimmer control is adjusted properly.
The HUD image is adjusted to the proper height.
A fuse is blown. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index.
Keep in mind that your windshield is part of the HUD
system. If you ever have to have your windshield
replaced, be sure to get one that is designed for HUD or
your HUD image may look blurred or out of focus.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
Your Park Avenue may be equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC). The DIC will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning,
as well as warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The
following buttons
are
on the DIC control panel
which
is located to the left
of the steering column:
ODOKRIP: Use this button to display your total and
trip miles.
FUEL INFO: Press this button to display fuel
information such as, fuel used, fuel range and fuel
economy.
GAGE INFO: Use this button to display oil pressure,
oil life, coolant temperature, tire pressure and battery
information.
RESET: This button, used along with other buttons,
will reset system functions.
ENGMET: Use this button to change the display
between English and metric units.
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Coolant Temperature: Press the GAGES button until
COOLANT TEMP appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the temperature, COOLANT
TEMP NORMAL will appear
in the display. If the
temperature is too high, COOLANT TEMP HOT will
appear in the display. If you see the COOLANT TEMP
HOT message, your engine is overheated. You should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off your
engine as soon as possible. This manual explains what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Battery Volts: Press the GAGES button until the
display shows BATTERY STATE.
If the voltage is
normal the display will show BATTERY STATE
NORMAL.
If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the
display will show BATTERY STATE LOW. If the
voltage is above
16 volts, the display will show
BATTERY STATE HIGH. If the display shows the high
or low message, you need to have your battery checked.
Oil Life Index: Press the GAGES button until OIL
LIFE INDEX appears in the display. The OIL LIFE
INDEX NORMAL display will show an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. When the oil life index
is less than
lo%, the display will show OIL LIFE INDEX CHANGE
OIL. When you have the oil
changed according to the maintenance schedule (see
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index), you will have
to reset the oil life index. To do this, press and hold the
RESET button for more than five seconds while the oil
life index is being displayed on the DIC. The oil life
will change to
100%.
Tire Pressure Status: Press the GAGES button
until TIRE PRESSURE appears in the display.
TIRE
PRESSURE NORMAL is displayed when the Check
Tire Pressure System believes your vehicle’s tire
pressures are normal. If a potential tire pressure
problem is detected, the display will show TIRE
PRESSURE LOW: CHECK TIRES.
If you see the
TIRE PRESSURE LOW: CHECK TIRES message, you
should stop as soon as you can and check all your tires
for damage. (If a tire is flat, see “If a Tire Goes Flat”
in
the Index.) Also check the tire pressure in all four tires
as soon as you can. See “Inflation
- Tire Pressure” and
“Check Tire Pressure System”
in the Index.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. See “Check Tire
Pressure System” in the Index.
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Warnings and Messages
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC
display such as:
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW
0 ENG COOLANT LOW - CHECK LEVEL
ENGINE OIL LOW - CHECK LEVEL
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
CHECK TIRE PRESSURES
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE
DOOR AJAR
TRUNK AJAR
Pressing any
of the DIC buttons will remove the above
messages or warnings from the DIC display.
Driver Information Center
Personal Choice Programming
The DIC can be used to program personal choice
features available with your vehicle, such as memory
seats, memory door locks, security feedback, delayed
locking and perimeter lighting. See “Personal Choice
Features” in the Index.
The DIC is used to program the personal choices of
two drivers. The driver’s are recognized by DRIVER
#1
and DRIVER #2. You will let the DIC know which
driver you are by using your Remote Keyless Entry
transmitter or by pressing the appropriate memory
seat control button located on the driver’s door. The
remote transmitter was pre-programmed to belong
to
DRIVER #1 or DRIVER #2.
The last driver number remembered by the DIC will show
on the display each time the UNLOCK button on the same
transmitter is pressed, and the ignition is turned on.
When you press UNLOCK on your transmitter, the DIC
will automatically change driver numbers and the
vehicle will recall the personal choice settings that were
last made to correspond to your transmitter.
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To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
AUTO mode and the
TEMP button adjusted to a display
of
75 OF (24"C), give the vehicle about 20 minutes to
stabilize, and adjust your comfort setting if necessary, by
using the TEMP button. The display will show the
comfort setting, fan speed and airflow direction for a few
seconds, and then it will display the outside temperature.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning the fan on
high, to avoid blowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Pushing the FAN, AIR FLOW
or FRONT buttons will override this delay, turn
off the
AUTO setting and change the fan speed.
Manual Operation
You may also manually adjust the air delivery or fan speed.
AIR FLOW This button is used to change the direction
of the aifflow. The airflow choices available are FLOOR,
FLOOR-MID,
MID and WINDSHIELD-FLOOR. If the
system is set
for AUTO, pressing the AIR FLOW button
will display the current airflow direction, the comfort
setting and the fan speed. Press the AIR FLOW up or
down button again
to change the direction of the airflow.
If the AIR FLOW up button is selected while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the air
toward the mid-position.
If the AIR FLOW down button is
selected while
in the FRONT defrost mode, the system
will direct the air toward the
FLOOR, and the FRONT
defrost mode will cancel. Notice the arrows in the display.
OFF: If the passenger comfort control is turned on, it
can be turned
off by pressing the OFF button once.
Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn
off the
main system. Turning
off the main system causes the fan
to turn off and the airflow to be directed to the FLOOR.
The system will still try to keep the interior of the
vehicle at the previous chosen comfort setting. The
outside temperature will show on the display when the
system is off.
The ventilation system always allows fresh air to flow
through your Buick when the vehicle is moving even
with the system in the OFF mode.
VENT: The VENT button allows outside air to flow
through your Buick without the air conditioning
compressor working. Selecting VENT and the AUTO
button at the same time allows the system to control
automatically without
the use of the air conditioning
compressor or the
use of the RECIRC mode. To turn
off the VENT selection, push the VENT button again.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a warning light about a hot engine, as well
as a coolant temperature gage,
on your Buick instrument
panel.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
Driver Information Center, an Engine Coolant Low
warning will appear
on the display.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn
it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until
it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be
badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
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