stop start BUICK PARK AVENUE 2003 User Guide

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not in¯ate in a crash, or they
could even in¯ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ¯ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Battery Warning Light
When you turn the key to
RUN, this light will come
on brie¯y, to show the
battery charging system is
working.
When the light goes off and stays off, the charging
system is working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating you
need service, and you should take your vehicle to
the dealer at once. To save your battery until you get
there, turn off all accessories and turn off your climate
control system.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
3-34

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when your engine
is started and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on and the chime sounds, turn the
ignition to OFF. Or, if the light comes on and the chime
sounds when you're driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on and the
chime sounds, or the light comes on again while you're
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light isn't on, you still have
brakes, but you don't have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you don't
have anti-lock brakes and there's a problem with
your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light
on page 3-34.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
brie¯y when you turn the ignition key to RUN. This
is normal. If the light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this warning light
should come on brie¯y
when the engine is started.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
·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
(TCS) on page 4-8for more information.
3-36

Notice:Modi®cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi®cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light doesn't come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
·Light FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be required.
·Light On SteadyÐ An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
·Reducing vehicle speed.
·Avoiding hard accelerations.
·Avoiding steep uphill grades.
·If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ¯ashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to ¯ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle.Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still
¯ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See
Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
3-38

ODO/TRIP (Odometer/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.
FUEL INFO (Information)
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 yourdriving 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 (Information)
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
Engine Overheating on page 5-27.
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.
3-44

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 ¯at, see
If a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-68.) Also
check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you
can. See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-59andCheck Tire Pressure System on page 5-60.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. See
Check Tire
Pressure System on page 5-60.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
The DIC is used to program personal choices for up to
two drivers. The drivers are recognized as DRIVER #1
and DRIVER #2. The DIC will identify a person as
UNKNOWN DRIVER if they are neither DRIVER #1 nor
DRIVER #2. You will let the DIC know which driver
you are by using your remote keyless entry transmitter
or by pressing one of the MEMORY buttons located
on the driver's door. Each remote keyless entry
transmitter was pre-programmed to belong to
DRIVER #1 or DRIVER #2. Each transmitter may be
programmed differently for each driver.
3-46

Cassette Tape Messages
E (Error):If this message and a number appears while
trying to play a cassette tape, it could be for one of
the following reasons:
·E10:The tape is tight and the player can't turn the
tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold the tape with
the open end down and try to turn the right
hub counterclockwise with a pencil. Turn the tape
over and repeat. If the hubs do not turn easily, your
tape may be damaged and should not be used in
the player. Try a new tape to make sure your player
is working properly.
·E11:The tape is broken. Try a new tape.
CLN (Clean):If this message appears on the display,
the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will
still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as
possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player.
See
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player on page 3-69.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can not
be corrected, contact your dealership. If your radio
displays an error number, write it down and provide it to
your dealership when reporting the problem.
Playing a Compact Disc
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. If you
want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio is
off, ®rst press EJECT or RECALL.
If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the
player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the
ignition or system, the disc will start playing where
it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Also, as a protection feature, if a CD is ejected and left
in the player, it will be pulled back in the player with
the ignition on or off.
The integral CD player can play the smaller 8 cm single
discs with an adapter ring. Full-size compact discs
and the smaller discs are loaded in the same manner.
If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduced due
to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality
of the music that has been recorded, and the way the
CD-R has been handled. You may experience an
increase in skipping, difficulty in ®nding tracks, and/or
difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these problems occur
try a known good CD.
Do not add paper labels to discs, they could get caught
in the CD player.
3-60

Do not play 3 inch discs without a standard
adapter disc.
If an error appears on the display, see ªCompact Disc
Messagesº later in this section.
1 PREV (Previous):Press this pushbutton to go to the
start of the current track, if more than eight seconds
have played. If you hold this pushbutton or press it more
than once, the player will continue moving back
through the disc.
2 NEXT:Press this pushbutton to go to the next track.
If you hold this pushbutton or press it more than
once, the player will continue moving forward through
the disc.
3
r(Reverse):Press and hold this pushbutton to
quickly reverse within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced level. Release it to play the passage.
4
[(Forward):Press and hold this pushbutton to
quickly advance within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced level. Release it to play the passage.6 RAND (Random):Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order.
Press it again to turn off random play.
RECALL:Press this button to see which track is
playing. Press it again within ®ve seconds to see how
long it has been playing. To change what is normally
shown on the display (track or elapsed time), press this
button until you see the display you want, then hold
this button until the display ¯ashes.
AM-FM:Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing.
SOURCE:Press this button to play a cassette tape or
a CD when listening to the radio. TAPE SIDE and
an arrow will appear on the display. If this button is
pressed again, the system will go to disc play; CD PLAY
will appear on the display.wSEEKx:Press the up or the down arrow to go to
the previous or to the next track on the CD.
EJECT:Press this button, located next to the CD slot,
to stop a CD when it is playing and to remove a CD
when it is not playing. Eject may be activated with the
radio off.
3-61

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there's a problem with the anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on. See
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 3-36.Let's say the road is wet and you're driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. 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. United States
Canada
4-7

·Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you're awaiting an opportunity. For
one thing, following too closely reduces your area
of vision, especially if you're following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate space if the
vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep
back a reasonable distance.
·When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and
don't get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move
into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you
will have a ªrunning startº that more than makes
up for the distance you would lose by dropping
back. And if something happens to cause you to
cancel your pass, you need only slow down
and drop back again and wait for another
opportunity.
·If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,
wait your turn. But take care that someone isn't
trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder
and check the blind spot.
·Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its frontin your inside mirror, activate your right lane change
signal and move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside mirror is convex.
The vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is.)
·Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
·Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not ¯ashing, it
may be slowing down or starting to turn.
·If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
4-13

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the traction control system, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have
traction control, or if the system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.If you have Stabilitrak
ž, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. See ªStability System Active Messageº
under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-45.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14