1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s armrest control each of the
windows while the ignition is
on or retained accessory
power is active. In addition, each passenger door has a
switch for its own window.
Express-Down Window
The switch for the driver’s window has an express-down
feature. Pull the switch back all the way, release it and
the window will lower automatically.
To stop the
window from lowering, push the switch again.
To
partially open the window, pull the switch back and
quickly release it. To raise the window, hold the
switch forward.
Window Lock
Press the LOCK switch on the driver’s armrest to
disable all passenger window switches. The driver’s
window controls will still be operable. This is
a useful
feature when you have young children
as passengers.
Press the
UNLOCK switch to allow passengers to use
their window switches again.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press anywhere
on the pad to sound the horn.
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ion ever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
a Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
a Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer and
Passing Signal
a Windshield Wipers
a Windshield Washer
0 Cruise Control
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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.
An 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 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 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.
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If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps,
a different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash
even if
a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they
are working.
lbm Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal.
To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the
off position. When the
high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel will also be on.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
high to low, pull the
turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
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Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked
WIPER.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle.
If you want more cycles,. hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes.
This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to
LO, the shorter the delay.
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
the band to
OFF.
Remember that 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 become damaged, get new blades or
blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
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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
wipers will clear the window and then either stop or
return to your preset speed. For more washer cycles,
push and hold the paddle.
1
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.
I
If this light comes on, it
means you’re low on
washer fluid.
WASHER
FLUID LOW
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. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index.
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Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed
of about
25 mph (40 kmb) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts
off.
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn
the cruise control back on.
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Setting CI I
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to.
You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep
the cruise control switch
OFF until you want
to use
it.
1.
2.
Move the cruise control
switch to ON.
Get up to the speed
you want.
3. Push in the SET
button at the end of the
lever
and release it.
The CRUISE light on
the instrument panel
will come on.
4. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
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