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Leaving 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 firmly set before you leave
it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling
it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without first pushing the button).
If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn‘t fully locked
into PARK
(P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking 011 a hill and ~OLI don’t shift YOLII-
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle
may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torclue lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the pmking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) h
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 transaxle, so you can pull the shift
lever out of
PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Buick has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
must fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing
it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button
if you have a console shift. Then move
the shift lever
out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button
if you have a console shift.
If
you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
I. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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Power Windows
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each
of the
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a switch for its own window.
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled
AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the driver’s window will open a small amount. If the
rear of the switch is pressed all the way down, the
window will
go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch.
To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
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Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
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 finished, the lever will return
automatically.
A green arrow on the
instrument panel will flash
in the direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the green arrow starts to flash. 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 don’t
flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won’t see
your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace
it to help avoid an
accident. If the green arrows don’t go on at all
when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see
“Fuses and Circuit
Breakers”
in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
A chime will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than 1/2 mile
(0.8 km).
Headlamp High/Low Beam
bmd
To change your headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, or high to low, pull
the multifunction lever all
the way toward you. Then
release
it. When the high
beams are on,
a blue light
on the instrument panel
also
will be on.
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Center Console
To open the storage area,
press the latch
on the front
edge and pull up.
The console has cupholders,
cassette tape storage and a
coinholder.
Luggage Carrier (Option)
If you have the optional luggage carrier, you can load
things on the deck lid
of your vehicle. The luggage
carrier has slats attached to the deck lid, a rear rail and
tiedowns.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 50 pounds
(23 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage your
vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear
or the sides of your
vehicle. Load your cargo
so that it rests on the
slats and does not scratch
or damage the vehicle.
Put the cargo against the rear rail and fasten it
securely to the luggage carrier.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your Buick. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the
Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo, stop driving now
and then and make sure the luggage carrier and cargo
are still securely fastened.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
b3
8
When the key is turned to
RUN or START, a chime
will come
on for about eight
seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts,
unless the driver’s safety belt
is already buckled.
The safety belt light will also come on and stay
on
until the driver’s belt is buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors and modules, the
wiring and the diagnostic module. For more information
on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
10: I
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN
or START. Then the light
AIR BAG 4 3 should go out. This means
the system is ready.
-8 10 :
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your Buick’s hydraulic
brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t
working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For
good braking, though, you
need both parts working
well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly as you start the
vehicle.
If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
)
The brake system warning light will also come on when
you set your parking brake, and it
will stay on if your
parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you have
a
brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
-
lo- 0 system, this light will come
With
the anti-lock brake
RPM x1000 on when you start your
engine and it will stay on
for three seconds. 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.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes.
Pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to push.
Or, the pedal
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle’’ in the Index.)
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine,
turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and
turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Buick needs service. If the
light
is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
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