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Engine Block Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0 F (- 18 C) or colder, the engine
block heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
j To use the block heater: I
I. Turn off the engine.
L. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
1 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
A CAUTION:
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.
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.
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Page 77 of 324

Automatic- Transaxle
There are SL . dral different positions for your shift lever.
0 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 CAU ION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have 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 “P” (Park).
See “Shifting Into “P” (Park)”
in the Index. If
you are parking on a hill, also see “Parking on
Hills” in the Index.
L
Ensure the shift lever is fully in “P’ (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brake.s 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) and also
release the shift lever button on floor shift console models as you maintain brake application. Then move
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Page 82 of 324

Hold in the button on the lever, and push the Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
I lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle. Running
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).
A 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 “P”
(Park) with the parking brake firmly set. And,
if
you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch fire. You or
others could be injured. Don’t leave your
vehicle with the engine running unlesr --ou have
to.
I
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 pushing the button.
If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into
T“ (Park).
so
Page 83 of 324

Shifting Out of 66 P 99 (Park)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully applv your regular brake before you can
shift
from “P” (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) and also release the shift lever button on floor
shift console models as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press
the shift lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If
you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out
of “P” (Park), try this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the key to “Off.” Open and close the driver’s
door to turn off the Retained Accessory Power
feature.
Apply and hold the brake until the end
of Step 4.
Shift to “N” (Neutral).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
; CAUTION:
Things 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
.I
CAUTlOf _. [lConltlinulecJ~
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle i,.
tlhe shiift lever is not flullly in1 T” (Park) with the
parking brake
firmly set. Your vehic’le can roll.
!Don’t leave your veh!icle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine irunning, th8e vehicle can move su’ddenly.
You or others could
be ‘injured. To be sure your
vehic’le w&t move, even when you,’re
on fairly
level ground,
always set your parking br’ake a’nd
move the shift lever to
‘T’’ (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
won’t Imove., See Shifting Into’ ’~P’ (Park) in the
Index,.
If you are parkiing on a hil’l, also see “Pariking on
Hills” in the Index.
Retained Accessory Power
After the ignition is turned off, and before any door is
opened, the following systems will work for ten
minutes:
1’
Power windows
0 Radio
@ Clock (with radio off)
0 Windshield wiper/waSher
0 Astroroof (option) I
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Page 86 of 324
Power Windows
To lower the window, pull back on the switch. The
window will lower as long as the switch is held. To raise
the window, push the switch forward.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the pad with the horn symbol
on either side of the steering 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.
OA
Page 91 of 324
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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Page 114 of 324

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
1
I’
i
If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving,
stop as soon as possible and turn the key off. Then start
With anti-lock, this light the engine to reset the system.
If the light still stays on,
will go on when you start or comes on again while you’re driving, your Buick
your engine and may stay needs service. Unless the regular brake system’ warning
on for several seconds or light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not
so. anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light
is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.
The anti-lock brake system warning light may also come on when you are driving with
a compact spare tire. If
this happens, the light means you won’t have anti-lock
until you replace the compact spare, with a full-size tire.
If the warning light stays on after you replace the
compact spare with
a full-si.ze tire, or if it comes on
again when you’re driving, your Buick needs service.
That’s normal.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed
~ so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
112