Key BUICK PARK AVENUE 2003 Service Manual

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

After you press the unlock button on your transmitter
with the ignition in RUN, the DIC will automatically
display the identi®ed driver number. The vehicle
will recall the personal choice settings that were last
made to correspond to your transmitter, including your
radio and climate control settings. See
Climate
Controls Personalization on page 3-28.
If you unlock the vehicle using your door key instead of
your transmitter, the DIC will not change drivers and
will recall the information from the last transmitter used
or the last driver using one of the MEMORY buttons.
If this happens and you were not the last driver of
the vehicle, simply press your correct driver number on
the appropriate MEMORY button or press the unlock
button on your transmitter.
The DIC can be used to program the following personal
choice features available with your vehicle:
·Memory Seat Recall
·Programmable Automatic Door Locks
·Security Feedback
·Delayed Locking
·Perimeter Lighting
·Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
·Window Lock OutSee the following steps for personalization programming
instructions.
1. Turn the ignition on and keep the transaxle in
PARK (P).
2. Inform the DIC which driver you are by pressing the
unlock button on your transmitter or the appropriate
memory seat control.
3. Press and hold the ENG/MET button for ®ve
seconds. WELCOME TO BUICK OPTION
FEATURE will appear in the display.
The next display will be your driver number and the
message ARMREST BUTTON CHANGES
DRIVER #. Follow the instructions in the display.
You are now in the selection mode and the DIC is
ready to program your personal choices in
memory.
The selections you make for the personal choice
features will be saved after the display reads
FEATURE OPTION SELECTION DONE.
Each feature that can be personalized will appear in
the display. Once you have made a selection for
a feature, the DIC will move on to the next personal
choice feature.
3-47

·If you choose LIGHTS for LOCK FEEDBACK and
OFF for UNLOCK FEEDBACK, your exterior
lamps will ¯ash when locking your vehicle and you
will receive no security feedback when unlocking
your vehicle.
·If you choose LIGHTS for LOCK FEEDBACK and
LIGHTS for UNLOCK FEEDBACK, your exterior
lamps will ¯ash when locking and unlocking
your vehicle.
·If you choose LIGHTS + HORN for LOCK
FEEDBACK and OFF for UNLOCK FEEDBACK,
your exterior lamps will ¯ash and the horn will chirp
when locking your vehicle and you will receive
no security feedback when unlocking your vehicle.
·If you choose LIGHTS + HORN for LOCK
FEEDBACK and LIGHTS for UNLOCK FEEDBACK,
your exterior lamps will ¯ash and the horn will
chirp when locking your vehicle and your exterior
lamps will ¯ash when unlocking your vehicle.
For more information on this feature, see ªSecurity
Feedbackº under
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-5.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the
transmitter is pressed, the DRL lamps (high-beams at
reduced intensity), parking lamps and back-up lamps will
turn on if it is dark enough according to the Twilight
Sentinel
ž.
You can control activation of this feature by choosing
OFF or ON when the PERIMETER LIGHTS choice
is displayed on the DIC. Make your choice by pressing
the ENG/MET button and record your choice by
pressing the RESET button.
If you want to choose PERIMETER LIGHTS ON, you
must also choose LIGHTS for UNLOCK FEEDBACK
while making the security feedback choices.
For more information on this feature, see ªPerimeter
Lightingº under
Exterior Lamps on page 3-12.
Memory Seat Recall
This feature recalls the position of your seat. When this
feature is active, the memory seat and mirror positions
will be recalled for the identi®ed driver when the remote
keyless entry transmitter is used to enter the vehicle.
You can program this feature to be active by choosing
ON when the SEAT RECALL choice appears, or
inactive by choosing OFF when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears on the DIC.
3-50

You can also program this feature to recall your
memory seat position or the exit seat position.
·Memory Position: Choose ON when the SEAT
RECALL choice appears, and then choose
MEMORY when the RECALL POSITION choice
appears.
·Exit Position: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears, then choose EXIT when the
RECALL POSITION choice appears and your seat
will move to the stored exit position. The seat
will also move when you enter the vehicle after
unlocking it with a remote keyless entry transmitter.
This will allow for easy entry as well.
For more information on this feature, see
Memory Seat
and Mirrors on page 2-46.
Window Lock Out
The number of passenger windows locked out by the
WINDOW LOCK button can be programmed through the
DIC.
If you choose ALL PASS, all three passenger window
switches will be inactive when the WINDOW LOCK
button is enabled.
If you choose REAR, only the two rear passenger
window switches will be locked out when the WINDOW
LOCK button is enabled.To change modes do the following:
1. Move the arrow on the display between ALL PASS
and REAR by pressing the ENG/MET button.
2. Once you have made your selection, press the
RESET button. Your choice will be retained in
memory.
For more information on this feature, see ªWindow Lock
Outº under
Power Windows on page 2-16.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle ± like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio ± be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle's engine,
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added
improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
3-51

Compact Disc Changer Errors
E (Error):If this message and a number appear on the
display, an error has occurred and the compact disc
temporarily cannot play.
The CD changer will send an error message to the
receiver to indicate:
·E30:Disc Loaded Incorrectly (Label Side Up)
·E34:CD Changer Door Open (Completely close the
door to restore normal operation.)
·E35:CD Changer Cartridge Empty (Try the
magazine again with a disc loaded on one of
the trays.)
If the error occurred while trying to play a CD in the
compact disc player or changer, the following conditions
may have caused the error:
·You're driving on a very rough road. When the road
becomes smoother, the disc should play.
·The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
·The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealership. If your radio displays
an error number other than the error codes listed
previously, write it down and provide it to your dealership
when reporting the problem.
Personal Choice Radio Controls
If your vehicle has this feature it will enable two drivers
to store and recall personal settings for radio presets,
last tuned station, volume, tone, and audio source
(radio, cassette, or CD).
The memory buttons 1 and 2 for this feature are located
on the driver's door panel and correspond to the
numbers 1 and 2 found on the back of each remote
keyless entry transmitter.
To recall audio sources, press the unlock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter and turn the ignition
on. The source last listened to will be recalled for
the identi®ed driver 1 or 2.
To program this feature, do the following:
1. Set all radio preferences. For more information see
ªSetting Preset Stationsº and ªSetting the Toneº
listed for your particular radio.
2. Locate the memory buttons on the driver's door
panel.
3. Press one of the memory buttons 1 or 2 until you
hear two beeps. The beeps con®rm that your
selection has been saved and can now be recalled.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
3-65

Many adults Ð by some estimates, nearly half the adult
population Ð choose never to drink alcohol, so they
never drive after drinking. For persons under 21,
it's against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol.
There are good medical, psychological and
developmental reasons for these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive. But what if people do? How much is ªtoo
muchº if someone plans to drive? It's a lot less
than many might think. Although it depends on each
person and situation, here is some general information
on the problem.
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone
who is drinking depends upon four things:
·The amount of alcohol consumed
·The drinker's body weight
·The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking
·The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.
According to the American Medical Association, a 180 lb
(82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce (355 ml)
bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC
of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach thesame BAC by drinking three 4 ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml) of liquors like whiskey, gin or vodka.
It's the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces
or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person's
BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person
who consumes food just before or during drinking will
have a somewhat lower BAC level.
4-3

Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
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
in¯ation 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.
4-30

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the ¯uid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough ¯uid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-25.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer ¯uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a ¯uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for reservoir
location.
5-38

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
ªWindshield Wiper and Wiper Bladesº under
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-25.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle ¯uid level; add if needed. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-22. A ¯uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, glove box
door and console door. Part D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-20

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-27if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don't start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-21