BUICK PARK AVENUE 2005 Owner's Manual

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-7.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. SeeHeadlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-9.
Windshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
Windshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
For information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is nished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
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If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up Display
(HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area to
indicate the direction of the turn or lane change.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-19for
more information.
You may also have an arrow in the outside mirror that
ashes when the turn signal is used. SeeOutside Power
Mirrors on page 2-37for more information.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash at twice the normal rate, this may indicate that a
signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers will not
see your turn signal. If a bulb is burned out, replace
it to help avoid an accident.
If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse and check for burned-out bulbs. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-92.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will ash even
if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and
rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they
are working. You do not need to add a different asher.Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than three-quarters
of a mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash
of the turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn
signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam or high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal
lever toward you and release it.
While the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up
Display (HUD), this symbol will also appear in the
display area to indicate the high beams are on.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-19for
more information.
3-8

Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.
Pull the turn signal lever toward you briey to
ash-to-pass.
If the headlamps are off or on low beam, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam
indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by turning the
band marked WIPER.
OFF:Turn the band to OFF to turn the wipers off.
MIST:For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST.
Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles,
hold the band on MIST longer.
LO (Low Speed):Turn the band to LO for steady
wiping at a slow speed.
HI (High Speed):Turn the band to HI for steady wiping
at a high speed.The wiper speed may be set for a long or short delay
between wipes. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To
avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the
wiper blades before using them. If your blades do
become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior of the windshield below the
rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the
wipers. This system operates by monitoring the
amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes
occur as needed to clear the windshield depending
on the driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In
light rain or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy
rain or snow, wipes will occur more frequently.
The system will operate in the delay, low speed and
high speed modes. If the system is left on for long
periods of time, occasional wipes may occur without any
moisture on the windshield. This is normal and
indicates that the Rainsense™ system is active.
3-9

The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the ve sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The delay position closest to OFF
is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one. The highest
sensitivity setting, level ve, is closest to the LO position.
A single wipe will occur each time you turn the wiper
control band to a higher sensitivity level to indicate that
the sensitivity level has been increased.
The windshield wipers also remain in a “high park”
position, stopped on the windshield and not in the
normal park position, even when the ignition is
turned off.
Notice:If you do not turn off the windshield wipers
when driving through an automatic car wash, you
could damage the wipers. Always turn off the
windshield wipers before entering an automatic
car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the moisture-sensing function. The
system can be overridden at any time by manually
turning the wiper band to LO or HI speed.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever there is a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer uid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear
the window and either stop or return to your preset
speed. For more washer cycles, push and hold
the paddle.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
If your vehicle is equipped with a DIC, a WINDSHIELD
WASHER FLUID LOW message will appear on the
instrument panel cluster when the vehicle is low
on washer uid. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-49.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
3-10

Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control
switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
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3. Push in the SET button at the end of the turn signal
lever and release it. The CRUISE light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then
applying the brake will end the cruise control function.
Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON
to R/A (Resume/Accelerate) briey to reset. This
returns you to your desired preset speed.
Remember, if you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle
will accelerate until you release the switch or apply the
brake. So unless you want to go faster, do not hold
the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed.
Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You will now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you reach a desired speed and then
release the switch. To increase your speed in very
small amounts, briey move the switch to R/A,
then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the SET button at the end of the lever until
you reach a desired lower speed, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push
the button briey. Each time you do this, you will go
about 1 mph (1 6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Exterior Lamps
This control, located to
the left of the steering
column, operates the
following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Interior Courtesy LampsOFF:Pushing the exterior lamps control all the way in
turns off all lamps and lights.
Parking Lamps:Pulling the exterior lamps control out
to the rst position turns on the parking lamps,
license plate lamps, the sidemarker lamps and the
instrument panel lights.
Headlamps:Pulling the exterior lamps control out to
the second position turns on the headlamps, together
with the previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamps control on, remove the
key from the ignition and open the driver’s door, you will
hear a continuous warning chime. The chime will turn
off when the lamps are turned off.
3-14

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and
Twilight Sentinel
®, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is off.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on. Your instrument panel
will not be lit up either.When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will be at full brightness. The other lamps
that turn on with your headlamps will also turn on. When
it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps will turn
off, and your low-beam headlamps change to the
reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the transaxle
into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until you shift
out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn off the exterior lamp control and slide the
Twilight Sentinel
®control all the way to the left.
When released, the control will return to the Twilight
Sentinel
®minimum delay position and the lights will
turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps come on when the headlamps
or parking lamps are on and you signal a turn with
the multifunction lever. They provide more light
for cornering.
3-15

Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®turns
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 time-out.
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 is just on,
the lamps will go off quickly when you turn off your
engine. Sliding the control to OFF, turns off the Twilight
Sentinel
®feature.
Light Sensor
Your Twilight Sentinel®and DRL work with the light
sensor on top of the instrument panel. Do not cover it
up. If you do, it will sense “dark” and the headlamps will
come on.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Adjust the instrument panel light brightness by turning
the exterior lamps control.
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 unlock
button 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.
3-16