1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE light

It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
0 Make sure all windows are shut.
0 Tbrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on any airflow selection except RECIRC.
That will force outside
air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls’’ in the Index.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust’’ in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick has a number
of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing
we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
With the ignition
off and the driver’s door open, you’ll
hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
ignition and transaxle will be locked. And remember to
lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out
of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
2-15
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock
it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all doors except the driver’s.
0 Give the valet key to the valet. Then take the master
key and remote keyless entry transmitter with you.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your Buick is equipped
with a Content
Theft-Deterrent alarm system. With this system,
the SECURITY light will
SECURITY flash as you open the door
(if your ignition is off). This light
reminds
you to activate the theft-deterrent
system.
Were’s how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter. The SECURITY
light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off
after approximately
30 seconds. The alarm is not
armed until the SECURITY light goes off.
If a door is opened without the key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the
alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s
lamps will flash and the horn will sound for
30 seconds,
then will
turn off to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if
you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock
switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless
entry transmitter. You should also remember that you
can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if
the alarm has been set off.
2-16
ProCarManuals.com

Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
0 If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should
be locked with the door
key
after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other
way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your key. You can also turn
off the alarm by
pressing UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The alarm won’t stop if you try to unlock
a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
1.
2.
3.
4.
From inside the vehicle, roll down the window.
Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open,
or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Get out of the car, 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.
PASS-Key@ I11
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
111
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
I11 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
111 uses a radio frequency transponder in the
key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
Your PASS-Key
I11 system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry and
Science Canada.
2-17
ProCarManuals.com

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) ths device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
When the PASS-Key
III system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. The starter will not work and fuel
will stop being delivered to the engine. Anyone using
a trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of electrical
key codes. If
when trying to start the vehicle, the engine does not
start and the
SECURITY light comes on, the key may
have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off
and
try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index). If the engine still does
not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty.
See your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key I11 to have a new key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
111 decoder to learn the
transponder value of
a new or replacement key. Up to
ten additional keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
This procedure is for learning additional keys only. If all
the currently programmed keys are lost or do not
operate, you must see your Buick dealer or a locksmith
who can service PASS-Key
I11 to have keys made and
programmed to the system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
I11 to get a new key blank that is a cut
exactly as a current black colored driver’s key that
operates the system.
Do not use a gray colored valet
key for this procedure.
2-18
~
ProCarManuals.com

To program the new key:
1, Insert the current driver’s key (black in color) in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer for service.
2. After the engine has started, turn the key to OFF and
remove the key.
3. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to RUN
within ten seconds of removing the previous key.
4. The SECURITY telltale light will turn off once the
key has been programmed. It may not be apparent
that the SECURITY light went on due to how
quickly the key is programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you are 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 I11 system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
Buick dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
I11 system at this time.
A .- . , . ---- cle “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:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
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.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
0 Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
C
I
D
-E 1
ACCESSORY (A): This is an on position in which you
can operate your electrical power accessories. Press in
the ignition switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position Erom which you can
remove the key.
This position locks your ignition, shift
lever and transaxle. It’s a theft-detewent feature.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
LOCK and it doesn’t send any electrical
power to the accessories. The instrument cluster will
remain powered in
OFF to illuminate the gear shift
indicator. The cluster will also activate the parking brake
light when the parking brake is set. Use
OFF if you
must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is
not running.
RUN (D): This is an on position that the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the switch.
This is the position for driving. Even when the engine is
not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
2-20
I
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake
Your Park Avenue has a
PUSH TO RELEASE
parking brake pedal. 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.
~___
Whether the ignition key is
in RUN or OFF, the brake
system warning light stays on while the parking brake
is set.
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake, 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 (approximately 20 feet (6.1 m)),
with the parking brake on, the brake light stays on and a continuous chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
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 part shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

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, pull the switch again. To
partially open the window, pull the switch back half
way. When the switch is released, the window will stop
moving. To raise the window, hold the switch forward.
Window Lock
Press the WINDOW LOCK switch on the driver’s
armrest to disable all passenger window switches. The
middle of the switch will light
to indicate the window
lockout is active. The driver’s window controls will still
be operable. This is a useful feature if you have young
children as passengers.
Press the WINDOW
LOCK switch a second time to
allow passengers to use their window switches again.
The light in the center of the switch will go off to
indicate that the feature is disabled.
Vehicles are delivered programmed to lock out all
passenger windows. See your Buick dealer if you
choose
to have this setting changed to lock out only
the rear windows.
ProCarManuals.com