Engine BUICK PARK AVENUE 2003 User Guide

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice:Damage to your transaxle caused by
shifting into a drive gear with the engine running at
high speed isn't covered by your warranty.AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and
you're:
·Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
·Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
2-26

Notice:Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h),
or you can damage your transaxle. Use AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (
X) or THIRD (3) as much as
possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage
your engine.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift
into ®rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:If your front wheels won't turn, don't
try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle. Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don't hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
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. 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.
2-27

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
Towing a Trailer on page 4-32. That part shows
what to do ®rst to keep the trailer from moving.
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 ®rmly 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 will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
·Pull the lever toward you.
2-28

·Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
2-29

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
·Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
·Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
·Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
·Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
·Repairs were not done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
·Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
·Have your vehicle ®xed immediately.
2-31

Running Your Engine While You
Are 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 Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
ªWinter Drivingº 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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are 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
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a trailer,
also see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-32.
2-32

Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as
well as for future HomeLinkžprogramming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle,
the programmed HomeLink
žbuttons should be erased
for security purposes. Refer to ªErasing HomeLinkž
Buttonsº or, for assistance, contact HomeLinkžon the
internet at: www.homelink.com or by calling
1-800-355-3515.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate operator you are programming. When
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside
of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,
releasing only when the indicator light begins to
¯ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not
repeat this step to program a second and/or third
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink
ž
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
button on HomeLink
žand the hand-held transmitter
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4
has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers may
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure
noted in ªGate Operator and Canadian
Programmingº later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ¯ash slowly at ®rst and then
rapidly after HomeLink
žsuccessfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.
Release both buttons.
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink
žbutton
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on constantly,
programming is complete and your device should
activate when the HomeLink
žbutton is pressed and
released.
To program the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons,
begin with Step 2 under ªProgramming HomeLinkž.º
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the
programmed channels.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds
and then turns to a constant light, continue with
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the
programming of a rolling-code equipped device
(most commonly, a garage door opener).
2-40

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-17
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-21
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-22
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-26
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-27
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-28
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Battery Warning Light....................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-40
Security Light...............................................3-41
Cruise Control Light......................................3-41
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-43
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-45
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-46
Audio System(s).............................................3-51
Setting the Time...........................................3-52
Radio with Cassette......................................3-52
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-56
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-62
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-65
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-66
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-68
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-68
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-69
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-70
Care of Your CD Player................................3-70
Heated Backlite Antenna................................3-70
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Twilight Sentinelž
Twilight Sentinelžturns
your headlamps on and off
by sensing how dark it
is outside.
To operate this feature, slide the control to any position
to vary the lamp timeout.
You can set the delay time from only a few seconds to
three minutes. If you move the control all the way to
MAX, your lamps will remain on for three minutes after
you turn off your engine. If you move the control
almost all the way in the other direction, so it's just on,
the lamps will go off quickly when you turn off your
engine. Sliding the control to OFF, turns off the Twilight
Sentinel
žfeature.
Light Sensor
Your Twilight Sentinelžand DRL work with the light
sensor on top of the instrument panel. Don't cover it up.
If you do, it will sense ªdarkº and the headlamps will
come on.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
Instrument panel light brightness can be adjusted by
turning the exterior lamps control counterclockwise and
clockwise.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps go on. They
make it easy for you to enter and leave your vehicle.
You can also turn these lamps on by turning the exterior
lamps control clockwise all the way past the normal
stop.
Entry Lighting
When you open either front door or press the button
with the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, the lamps inside your vehicle will turn on.
These lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds. These
lamps will also turn off if you start the engine or
activate the power door locks.
3-14

The HUD shows these images when they are lighted on
the instrument panel cluster.
Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls
and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel, you may not see something important, such as a
warning light.
Notice:Although the HUD image appears to be
near the front of the vehicle, do not use it as
a parking aid. The HUD was not designed for that
purpose. If you try to use it as such, you may
misjudge the distance and damage your vehicle.
The HUD controls are
located in the overhead
console.
1. Start your engine and slide the HUD dimmer switch
all the way up.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
whether the headlamps are on or off, and where
you have the HUD dimmer switch set.
2. Adjust the seat to a comfortable driving position.
Keep pressing the top arrow on the image height
adjuster to raise the image as far as possible.
3-18