ignition BUICK PARK AVENUE 2005 Owner's Guide

Parking Brake
This vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake pedal. To set
the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your
left foot.
If the ignition is in RUN or OFF, the brake system
warning light will turn on while the parking brake
is set. The parking brake uses the brakes on the
rear wheels.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down and push the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will follow it to the released position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, after about
20 feet (6.1 m) a chime will sound continuously until
you release the parking brake. Also, the brake light will
stay on until the parking brake is released.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37. That section
explains what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
2-29

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-37.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving the lever up as
far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-30

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-30.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in LOCK. In addition, you have
to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-26.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. Open and close the driver’s
door to turn off the RAP feature. There is no shift
interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-31

Mirror Operation
MIRROR:Press this button to turn the automatic
dimming feature on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press and hold this button for several seconds
to turn on the automatic dimming feature on or off.
The indicator light will come on when this feature is on.
The automatic dimming feature will go on each time
the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
COMPASS:Press this button once to turn the compass
on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press this button to turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the direction of the vehicle.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction, (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If the letter
C should ever appear in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display shows
a direction.
Mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls can be placed
in calibration mode by pressing and holding the
on/off button untilaCisshown in the compass display.
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set in zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if the vehicle is outside zone
eight. Under certain circumstances, as during a
long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to
adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to
account for compass variance, the compass could give
false readings.
2-35

Erasing HomeLink®Buttons
To erase programming from the three buttons do
the following:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons until
the indicator light begins to ash, after 20 seconds.
2. Release both buttons. Do not hold for longer than
30 seconds.
HomeLink
®is now in the train (learning) mode and can
be programmed at any time beginning with Step 2
under “Programming HomeLink
®.”
Individual buttons can not be erased, but they can be
reprogrammed. See “Reprogramming a Single
HomeLink
®Button” next.
Reprogramming a Single
HomeLink®Button
To program a device to HomeLink®using a HomeLink®
button previously trained, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
®button. Do
not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the HomeLink
®
button, proceed with Step 2 under
“Programming HomeLink®.”
Resetting Defaults
To reset HomeLink®to default settings do the following:
1. Hold down the two outside buttons for about
20 seconds until the indicator light begins to ash.
2. Continue to hold both buttons until the HomeLink
®
indicator light turns off.
3. Release both buttons.
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink
®at
1-800-355-3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open the glove box, lift up on the lever. Use your
ignition key to lock or unlock it. The glove box has a
light inside.
2-44

Rear Storage Area
If your vehicle has this feature, the rear storage armrest
contains two cupholders. To access the cupholders,
pull the armrest down from the rear seatback.
This armrest also includes a storage area inside the
armrest. To open it, pull up on the lever at the front edge
of the armrest.
Rear Seat Pass Through
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear storage
armrest with a pass-through feature that allows for trunk
access. Pull the rear armrest down, then push down
on the trunk access panel latch to open the panel.
To close, push the access panel until it latches.
Convenience Net
The vehicle may have a convenience net located on the
back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over.
The net is not for larger, heavier loads. Store those in
the trunk as far forward as possible.
Unhook the net so that it will lie at when not in use.
Sunroof
The vehicle may have a sunroof. The sunroof has both
manual and express features for opening the glass
panel and sunshade.
The switch for the sunroof
is located on the headliner
between the sun visors.
The sunroof switch has a number of positions that
control sunroof movement.
The switch will only work when the ignition is on or
when the RAP is active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-23.
2-47

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). SeeSteering
Wheel Climate Controls on page 3-31andAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-72.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
G. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-26.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-55.
I. Fuel Door Release Button. SeeFilling Your Tank
on page 5-6.J. Trunk Release and Lockout Button. See “Remote
Trunk Release” and “Remote Trunk Release
Lockout” underTrunk on page 2-14.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
L. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-22.
M. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
N. Heated Seat Controls (Option). SeeHeated Seats
on page 1-3.
O. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-25.
P. Climate Control System. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-25.
Q. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-44.
R. Passenger Climate Control (Option). See “Passenger
Temperature Control” underDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-25.
3-5

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

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