index BUICK PARK AVENUE 2000 Owner's Guide

2-24
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. 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 ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º 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
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

2-27
Parking Brake
This vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE 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.
Whether the ignition key is in RUN or OFF, the brake
system warning light stays on while the parking brake
is set.
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 release the parking brake pedal.
When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal
will follow it to the release position.If you try to drive approximately 20 feet (6.1 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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That part shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-28
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move,
even when you're on fairly level ground, use the
steps that follow. If you're pulling a trailer,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) as follows:

Pull the lever toward you.

2-30 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 ªtorque lock.º
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 ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before 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 parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº 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't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the retained
accessory power feature.
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.

2-32
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

2-34
Press the window lock button a second time to allow
passengers to use their window controls again. The light
in the center of the switch will go off to indicate that the
feature is disabled.
Vehicles are delivered programmed to lock out all
passenger windows. If you have the optional DIC,
you can choose to lock out only the rear windows.
See ªPersonal Choice Featuresº or ªDriver Information
Centerº in the Index for programming instructions.
If you do not have the DIC feature, see your dealer if
you choose to have this setting changed to lock out only
the rear windows.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press on the pad
near the horn symbols to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable position, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.

2-36
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head
-Up Display
(HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area to
indicate the direction of the turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
at twice the normal rate, this may indicate that a signal
bulb may be burned out and other drivers won't see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index) and for burned
-out bulbs.If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will flash even if a
turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and rear
turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they are
working. You do not need to add a different flasher.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster will also be on.
If your vehicle is equipped
with HUD, this light will
also appear in the
display area.

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CAUTION:

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.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
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.
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 ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.)
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
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
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control
switch to ON.

2-46 Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of your instrument
panel displays during daylight while your headlamps are
on. This feature operates with the light sensor for the
Twilight Sentinel

and is fully automatic. When the
light sensor reads darkness outside, you will be able to
dim your instrument panel displays once again.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the daytime running
lamps, parking lamps and back
-up lamps will come on
if it is dark enough outside.
This feature will only be activated when the security
feedback feature is programmed to be in Modes 1, 3 or 5
on the transmitter. Modes 0, 2 and 4 do not respond with
exterior lights flashing when unlocking the vehicle so
perimeter lighting will not be active.
This feature can be programmed on or off for
each transmitter.
To turn the feature off:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the door lock switch on the
door throughout this procedure. All doors will lock.2. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter to enter
the programming mode. 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
feature is now off.
To turn the feature on:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the door lock switch on the
door throughout this procedure. All doors will lock.
2. Press the instant alarm button on the key transmitter to
enter the programming mode. Perimeter lighting
remains off at this time and the horn will chirp one time.
3. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is now enabled and the
horn will chirp two times.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now on.
Perimeter lighting can also be activated through the
optional Driver Information Center (DIC). See
ªPersonal Choice Featuresº or ªDriver Information
Centerº in the Index.

2-52 Power Remote Control Mirror
Your vehicle has an electric mirror control located on
the driver's door armrest.
Move the switch below the control to choose the right or
left mirror. If you place the switch in the center position,
no movement of the mirror will occur. To adjust the
mirror, push the arrow control in the direction you want
the mirror to go.Adjust each mirror so you can see some of the side of
your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional memory
seat and mirrors feature, these mirror positions, along
with the driver's seat position can be stored in memory.
See ªMemory Seat and Mirrorsº in the Index.
Parallel Park Assist Mirror (If Equipped)
If you have the optional DIC feature, the passenger's
outside rearview mirror also includes a tilt
-down feature
that operates when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R),
the passenger mirror will return to its original position
after a five
-second delay. This delay prevents movement
of the mirror if multiple gear transitions (reverse to drive
to reverse) occur during a parallel parking maneuver.
This feature can be programmed on or off through the
Personal Choice selection menu. Vehicles are delivered
with this feature off. See ªDriver Information Centerº or
ªPersonal Choice Featuresº in the Index for
programming instructions.