1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE lock

If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your
key.
PASS-Key@II
You can also turn off the alarm by using the Keyless
Entry System, if
you have it. The alarm won’t stop if
you try to unlock a door any other way.
How to Test The Alarm
The alarm can be tested by first having the driver’s
window down. Activate the system by locking
the doors
with
the power door lock switch or the Remote Keyless
Entry System. Get out
of the car and close the door and
wait for the SECURITY light to go out. Then reach
in
through the window, unlock the door with the manual
door lock, and open the door. This should set off the
alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when
it should, check to see
if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the
fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft deterrent system when leaving your vehicle. Your
vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key@II
(Personalized Automotive Security System) theft
deterrent system. PASS-Key%
is a passive theft
deterrent system. This means you don’t have to do
anything different
to arm or disarm the system. It works
when you insert or remove the
key from the ignition.
PASS-Key@II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder
in your vehicle.
77
ProCarManuals.com

When the PASS-Key% system senses that someone is using the wrong key,
it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes,
the starter
won’t work and
fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the “SECURITY’’ light comes
on, the key may be dirty
or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light may remain on during this
time. If
the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try the
other ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the
Index). If
the starter won’t work with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key@II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
“SECURITY” light
will flash. But you don’t have to
wait three minutes before trying one of the other ignition
keys.
See your Buick dealer or
a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key@II to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the “SECURITY” light comes
on and stays on,
you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key% system, however, is
not working properly
and must be serviced by your
Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key% system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@II ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key@II to have a
new key made.
78
ProCarManuals.com

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
1. Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
2. Avoid making hard stops for the first 200
miles (322 km) or so. During this time your
new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in” guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Ignition Key Positions
Your square-headed key
operates your
ignition lock.
79
ProCarManuals.com

With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions:
(A) Accessory: This position lets you use things like the
radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off.
To use, push in the key and turn it toward you. Your
steering wheel will remain locked, just as
it was before
you inserted the key.
(B) Lock: Before you put the key in, your ignition will
be
in the Lock position. This position locks your
ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s
a theft
deterrent feature.
(C) 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.
(D) Run: This is the position for driving.
(E) Start: This key position starts your engine.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “Lock” and you can’t
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 of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
80
ProCarManuals.com

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. After
waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting
procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If
you don’t, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to
do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Car”
in the Index.
Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
I NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come
in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine.
If you can’t avoid deep puddles or
standing water, drive through them very slowly.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater) (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 “C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt outlet.
82
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant 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. 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.
83
ProCarManuals.com

Ensure the shift lever is fully in T’ (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
into the gear
you wish. See “Shifting Out of ‘P’ (Park)”
in this part.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to “R” only after your vehicle is stopped.
I
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
0 N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn t connect with the
wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only. Also, use “N” when your vehicle
is being towed.
84
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake
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 on, the brake
system warning light will
come on.
The parking brake uses
the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake: This vehicle has a push
to release parking brake pedal. Hold
the regular brake
pedal down and push the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. This
will unlock the pedal. When you lift your
left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
release position.
If
you try to drive off with the parking brake on, the
brake light stays on and a chime sounds until you release
the parking brake or recycle the ignition.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your
rear brakes to overheat.
You may have to replace
them, and you could
also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill:
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section
shows what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
87
ProCarManuals.com