mirror BUICK PARK AVENUE 2004 Owner's Guide

Perimeter Lighting
When the unlock button 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
®.
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 “Perimeter
Lighting” underExterior 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 identied 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.
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, seeMemory Seat
and Mirrors on page 2-51.
3-56

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 front in 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.
Do not 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 are 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 us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
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 “overdriving”
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
are not 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.
4-15

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
®, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. See “Stability System Active Message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will 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 — such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-16

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can not see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you are driving,
do not wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot of things
invisible.
4-17

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your “blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
4-22

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-24

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop
to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack so you can turn
with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-42

Main Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Fuses Usage
SBM Interior Lamps
PDM PDM Module
A/C HVAC Motor, HVAC Mix Motors
Fuses Usage
IGN SENAuto Dimming Mirror, Driver HTS
Seat, Rear Defog Relay, MEM
Module, Cool LVL Sensor,
Pass Heated Seat
ELCHVAC Flat Pk Mtrs, Electronic Level
Control Sensor, Electronic Level
Control Sensor (R Bec)
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System Module
HVACHVAC Main Con Head, HVAC
Programmer, Instrument Panel
Cluster
CR CONT Stepper Motor Cruise, Cruise Switch
HUDHead-Up Display Switch, Head-Up
Display
CSTR/SBMHVAC Programmer, Instrument
Panel Cluster, SBM (275 to LCM)
(1135 to BTSI SL)
LP PK LUnderhood Lamp, Left Park/
Sidemarker, Left Park/Turn Lamp,
SBM, Left Tail Signal Lamp, Left
Tail/Stoplamp, Left Rear Sidemarker
5-100

Fuses Usage
LP PK RRight Park/Sidemarker Lamp, Right
ParK/Turn Lamp, Right Tail/Sign
Lamp, Right Tail/Stoplamp, Right
Rear Sidemarker, Stop/Taillamp,
Tail/Signal Lamp, License Lamp, RFA
RUN Run/Accessory
WSW Wiper Motor
Blank Not Used
WSW/RFA Wiper Switch, RFA, Rain Sense
B/U LPAuto Dimming Mirror,
Back-Up LampsAuxiliary Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Fuses Usage
PERIM LP Perimeter Lamps
ACCY Accessory
IGN 3 Ignition 3
5-101

LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-14
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-32
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-39
Battery Warning..........................................3-37
Brake System Warning.................................3-38
Cruise Control.............................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-41
Oil Pressure...............................................3-44
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-36
Security.....................................................3-45
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-45
TCS Warning Light......................................3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-39
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-19
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection..........................................2-14
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-11
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-14
Lockout Protection.......................................2-14Locks (cont.)
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-14
Long Trip/Highway Denition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-14
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist Steering............4-11
Main and Auxiliary Instrument Panel
Fuse Blocks................................................5-99
Main Instrument Panel Fuse Block...................5-100
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-109
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-19
At Least Once a Month................................6-19
At Least Once a Year..................................6-20
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-20
Brake System Inspection..............................6-24
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-24
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-23
Fuel System Inspection................................6-24
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
8