tire pressure BUICK PARK AVENUE 2000 Owner's Manual

For
a More
Detailed Look at
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6
Tire Pressure
See Section 6
Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Engine Oil Dipstick
See Section 6
Remote Fuel
Door Release
See Section 6
Fuel
Use unleaded gas only,
See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Alternate
Fuel Door Release
See Section 6
Battery
See Section 6

2-80
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on
if your vehicle has
certain non
-emission
related problems.
For example, if the entire electrical system fails to send
and receive messages from the vehicle's components, the
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON warning light comes on.
These problems may not be obvious and may affect
vehicle performance or durability. Consult a qualified
dealership for necessary repairs to maintain top vehicle
performance. This light will come on briefly when the
ignition is turned on to show that it is working properly.
Cruise Light
The CRUISE light comes
on when you set the
vehicle's cruise control.
See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.

2-85

ODO/TRIP: 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.

ENG/MET: Use this button to change the display
between English and metric units.
DIC Controls and Displays
There are two lines in the DIC display. The bottom line
on the display area is left blank when the DIC displays
the driver number identified when entering the vehicle.
You can have your dealer program your name to
appear on this display line. See your dealer for
more information.When you turn the ignition on, the DIC will display
your DRIVER NUMBER. The system will then perform
a status check and display any messages if a problem
is detected.
If there are no problems detected, the display will return
to the mode selected by that driver the last time the
ignition was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will
appear in the display. The following pages will show the
messages you may see on the DIC display.
The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle's performance status.
ODO/TRIP
When this button is pressed, the display will show the
total mileage, and TRIP 1 or TRIP 2 miles. TRIP 1 and
TRIP 2 will display the miles traveled since the last
reset. To reset the trip odometer, press the ODO/TRIP
button until the trip miles are shown in the DIC display,
then press the RESET button. The trip odometer will
now accumulate miles until the next reset.

2-86
FUEL INFO
Fuel Used: Press the FUEL INFO button until the display
shows FUEL USED. This display will show you how
much fuel has been used since the last reset. To learn how
much fuel is used from a new starting point, press the
RESET button while the fuel used is displayed in the DIC.
Fuel Range: Press the FUEL INFO button until the
display shows FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will
calculate the remaining distance you can drive without
refueling. This calculation is based on the average fuel
economy for the last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven, and
the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The RESET button
does not function in this mode.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy: Press the FUEL INFO
button until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY INST.
Instantaneous fuel economy varies with your driving
conditions, such as acceleration, braking and the grade
of the road being traveled. The RESET button does not
function in this mode.
Average Fuel Economy: Press the FUEL INFO button
until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE.
Average fuel economy is viewed as a long term
approximation of your overall driving conditions. To
learn the average fuel economy from a new starting
point, press the RESET button while the average fuel
economy is displayed in the DIC.GAGE INFO
Coolant Temperature: Press the GAGE INFO 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 ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index.
Tire Pressure: Press the GAGE INFO 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.
Battery Volts: Press the GAGE INFO 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.

2-87
Oil Pressure: Press the GAGE INFO button until
OIL PRESSURE appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the oil pressure, the display will
show OIL PRESSURE NORMAL. If a low oil pressure
condition is detected, the display will show OIL
PRESSURE LOW. If you see the OIL PRESSURE
LOW message, you could be low on oil or your oil is
not going through the engine properly. See your dealer
for service.
Oil Life System: Press the GAGE INFO 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 10%, the display will show OIL LIFE INDEX
CHANGE OIL. When you have the oil changed, you
will have to reset the GM Oil Life System
. To reset
the Oil Life System, see ªEngine Oil Life Systemº or
ªEngine Oil, When to Changeº in the Index.DIC Warnings and Messages
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC
display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC
message your DIC will display EXP with a number after
it which reflects the following messages:
EXP (Export ID) Warning Message
23 DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 TRUNK AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW. . . . . . . .
36 ENGINE OIL LOW
- CHECK LEVEL . . . . . . . . .
54 SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . .
55 STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82 CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91 TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . .
140 TIRE PRESSURE LOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove the
messages or warnings from the DIC display.

2-88
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM - 54 : If you ever
see the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message,
it means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system (stop; turn off the engine; then start the
engine again). If the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
message still comes on, it means there is a problem.
You should see your dealer for service. Reduce your
speed and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE
- 55 : You may see
the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer
-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you're
steering. This stability enhancement system activates
when the computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice or
other slippery spot on the road. When the system is on,
you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal.When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message is
on, you should continue to steer in the direction you
want to go. The system is designed to help you in bad
weather or other difficult driving situations by making
the most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on,
you'll know that something has caused your vehicle to
start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
Tire Pressure Status
- 140 : If you see the TIRE
PRESSURE LOW message, you should stop as soon as
you can and check all your tires for damage. (If a tire is
flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.) Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can.
See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº and ªCheck Tire
Pressure Systemº in the Index.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. See ªCheck Tire
Pressure Systemº in the Index.

4-8
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet.
You're driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.The anti
-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

4-20 Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine's air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you
can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.

4-24
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?

Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?

Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?

Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?

Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble
-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?

Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?

Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?

4-31
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire
-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver's door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory
-installed options.