key BUICK PARK AVENUE 2004 Service Manual

Oil Pressure Light
This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your vehicle’s engine
oil pressure.
The oil pressure light will come on briey when you turn
your key to RUN. It goes off once you turn the key to
START. That’s just a check to be sure the light works.
This is normal and doesn’t show a problem. If it doesn’t
come on and then go off, be sure to have it xed so it will
be there to warn you if there is a problem.
When this lightcomeson andstayson, and a chime
sounds, it means oil isn’t going through the engine
properly. The oil could be low, or there might be some
other oil problem. See your dealer for service.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
3-44

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
will 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, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-79. Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-69andCheck
Tire Pressure System on page 5-70.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. SeeCheck Tire
Pressure System on page 5-70.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 neither DRIVER #1 nor
DRIVER #2 is identied by the system. 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 and is numbered
on the back. Each transmitter may be programmed
differently.
After you press the unlock button on your transmitter
with the ignition in RUN, the DIC will display the
identied 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. SeeClimate Controls
Personalization on page 3-31.
3-51

If you unlock the vehicle using your door key instead of
your transmitter, the DIC will not identify the driver
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, 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:
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Delayed Locking
Security Feedback
Perimeter Lighting
Memory Seat Recall
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 button.
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.
3-52

Security Feedback
By choosing different combinations of these selections,
you can choose the type of transmitter activated
feedback you receive when locking and unlocking your
vehicle with your transmitter. Each time you make a
selection by pressing the ENG/MET button, press
the RESET button to record your choice.
LOCK FEEDBACK – OFF/ON
LOCK FEEDBACK – LIGHTS/LIGHTS + HORN
UNLOCK FEEDBACK – OFF/LIGHTS
If you choose ON for LOCK FEEDBACK you will also
need to choose LIGHTS or LIGHTS + HORN.
You can select the following modes:
If you choose OFF for LOCK FEEDBACK and OFF
for UNLOCK FEEDBACK, you will receive no
security feedback when locking or unlocking your
vehicle.
If you choose OFF for LOCK FEEDBACK and
LIGHTS for UNLOCK FEEDBACK, you will receive
no security feedback when locking your vehicle
and the exterior lamps will ash when unlocking
your vehicle.
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 “Security
Feedback” underRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-6.
3-55

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

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 identied driver 1 or 2.
To program this feature, do the following:
1. Set all radio preferences. For more information see
“Setting Preset Stations” and “Setting the Tone”
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 conrm that your
selection has been saved and can now be recalled.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is interrupted.
If THEFTLOCK
®is active, the THEFTLOCK®indicator
will ash when the ignition is off.
The THEFTLOCK
®feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK
®is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK
®is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret
code before it will operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter
your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK®system.
Read through all nine steps before starting the
procedure.
If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between
any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time
and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
3-75

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 the
same 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 is 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.
There is a gender difference, too. Women generally
have a lower relative percentage of body water
than men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this
means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC
level than a man of her same body weight will when
each has the same number of drinks.
The law in an increasing number of U.S. states, and
throughout Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent.
In some other countries, the limit is even lower. For
example, it is 0.05 percent in both France and Germany.
The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United
States is 0.04 percent.
The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to
six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we have seen,
it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks,
and how quickly the person drinks them.
4-4

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you
will want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip
on page 4-23.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” that follows
for more information.
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.
4-32

When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles With the GM Oil Life System)
If so equipped, your vehicle has a computer system
that lets you know when to change the engine oil and
lter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service people who
will perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Oil Life System
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message being
turned on, reset the system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the Oil Life
System, do the following:
1. Display OIL LIFE INDEX on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the DIC RESET button for more than
ve seconds. The oil life will change to 100%.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
back on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-18

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir is located below the
generator and behind the accessory drive belt in the rear
of the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle.
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.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. 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.
5-38