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OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
“Lock.” Use “Off’ if you must have your car
in motion while the engine is off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START: This position starts your engine.
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NOTICE:
IT your Key seems stuck In “Lock” and you can-
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. But turn the key only with your
hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none
your vehicle needs service
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to “P’ (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use “N” (Neutral) only.
n’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if your Buick is
ving.
If you do, Id damage the
nsaxle. Shift to
“ rk) only when you .. . . -
1.
2.
3.
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles
you might need to do
this, but because
of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start”
for about three seconds at a time until your engine
starts. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
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Page 74 of 324

Engine Block Heater (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 C) or colder, the engine
block heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
To use the block heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
CAUTION: 0
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps. After you’ve
used the block heater, be sure to
store the
cord as it was before, to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you m’t, it could
be damaged
w1 ~
How long should you keep the block heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the weather,
the kind of oil you
have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list
everything here,
we ask that you contact a Buick dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The
dealer can give you the best advice for that particular
area.
Page 75 of 324

PARK RNO321
Automatic Transaxle
r
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
A CAUTION: .
a -II
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle If the
shift [ever is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking
brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when ihe engine is
running unless you hsve to. If you have left the
engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be Injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, when you’re on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to V“ (Park).
See “Shifting Into “P” (Park)” in the Index. If you
arb parkfng on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer,
also see“Parking on Hills” or “Towing a Trailer”
in’ the Index.
- i
Ensure the shift lever is fully in “F‘” (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before
you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition key is
in the “Run” position. If you cannot shift
out of “P” (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all
the way into “P” (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
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Page 81 of 324

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to “Lock.”
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away from
your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in “P” (Park).
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 “P”
[Park) with the parking brake firmly set. And, if
you leave the vehicle with the engine running, St
could overheat and even catch fire. You or others
could be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with
the engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is
in “P” (Park) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the “P” (Park)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if
you can move the shift lever away from
“P” (Park)
without first pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into “P” (Park).
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Page 82 of 324
Shifting Out of ‘‘P” (Park)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brake before you can
shift from
T“ (Park) when the ignition is in the “Run”
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of “P” (Park), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into “P”
(Park) as you maintain brake application. Then move the
shift lever into the gear
you wish. If you ever hold the
brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of
“P” (Park),
try this:
1. Turn the key to “Off.”
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to “N” (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
. ”. ..
6& VAU’. ,ON:
I
lings that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
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Page 85 of 324
You may also have a lock out button. Push LOCK to
disable the power window switches. This will prevent
passengers from opening and closing the windows. Push
UNLOCK to allow your passengers to be able to use
their window switches again.
Horn
To sound the horn, press a pad with the horn symbol on
either side
of the steering wheel.
Remote Trunk Release
I! The trunk release switch in
the glove
box must be
“ON” for the “TRUNK”
button to work.
This feature allows
you to secure items in the trunk
when you must leave the ignition key with an attendant.
To secure the trunk, turn OFF the TRUNK RELEASE,
lock the glove box, then take the door key with you.
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Page 86 of 324
The “TRUNK” button is on
the instrument panel to
the
left of the steering column.
The ignition switch must
also be
ON and the
transaxle in PARK or
NEUTRAL for it to work.
If you have the Remote Keyless Entry System, it will
also unlock
the trunk.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Page 90 of 324

For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the
“LO” position. For high speed wiping,
turn
the band further, to “HI.” To stop the wipers, move
t’ band to “OFF.”
A CAUTION:
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 they’re frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them.
If your blades do become damaged, get new
blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever there’s a paddle
with the word
“PUSH” on it. To spray washer fluid on
the windshield, push the paddle for less than a second.
The washer will spray several times, then stop. Unless
they are already turned on, the wipers will operate at
low speed for several sweeps, then turn
off.
To get more fluid on the windshield, push and hold the
paddle. Spraying will continue as long as the paddle is
held.
A CAUTION: ’
Driving without washer fluid can be
dangerous. A bad mud splash can block
your vision. You could hit another vehicle
or go off the road. Check your washer fluid
level often.
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise
the washer fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking
your vision.
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