1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE instrument panel

Instrument Panel
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your Buick is equipped with one of the following instrument panel clusters. It includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about those that apply to the instrument cluster for
your vehicle.
TEMPERATURE
Standard Cluster (United States version shown, Canada similar) \
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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, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The
air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to
warn you if there is problem.
Battery Warning Light
VOLT
When you turn the key to
RUN, this light will come
on briefly, to show the
battery charging system
is working.
When the light goes off and stays off, the charging
system is working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating you
need service, and you should take your Buick
to the
dealer at once. To save your battery until you
get there,
turn off all accessories and turn
off your climate
control system.
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Head-Up Display (HUD)
(If Equipped)
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field
of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside,
Be sure to keep the
HUD image dim and placed
low in your field
of view.
If your vehicle is equipped with the HUD, you can see
some of the driver information that appears on your
instrument cluster as a reflection in the windshield.
The information may be displayed
in English or metric
units and consists of the following:
Speedometer Reading
Turn Signal Indicators
High Beam Headlamp Indicator
Check Gages Message The
HUD shows these images
when they are lighted on
the instrument panel cluster.
Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls and
driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without
HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel, you may not see something important, such as a
warning light.
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Ventilation Tips
0 Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance of
fogging your windows.
e Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps
air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Option)
rassenger compartment air, both outside air and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment filter, which is part of a three piece filter
system. The filter removes certain particles from the air,
including pollen and dust particles. Reductions in
airflow, which may occur more quickly in dusty areas,
indicate that the filter needs to be replaced early. The
particle filter is located inside the air control
module with an access panel underneath the instrument
panel near the accelerator pedal. The filter should be
replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance. See
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for replacement
intervals. See your Buick dealer for details on changing
the filter.
Once you remove your filter, if you choose not
to
replace it, it will not damage your vehicle. However, the
air will no longer be filtered.
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Passenger Climate Control Steering Wheel Controls for Climate
Control
(Option)
If your vehicle has this
feature, you can control the
temperature function by
using the button
on your
steering wheel. Press the
TEMP up arrow to increase
the temperature and the
TEMP down arrow to
, decrease the temperature.
The front seat passenger can control the air temperature
in their seating area.
Tlus can be set up to 5 OF (-1 5 O C)
cooler or warmer than the primary setting. You can
activate this feature
by sliding the lever located on the
instrument panel toward warm
or cool.
If the passenger control has been turned on, it can be
turned
off by pressing the OFF button once. Pressing the
OFF button a second time will turn off the main system.
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Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally
to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out.
So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they’re all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if
one of your vehicle lamps is out.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a warning light about a hot engine, as well
as a coolant temperature gage,
on your Buick instrument
panel.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
Driver Information Center, an Engine Coolant Low
warning will appear
on the display.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn
it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until
it cools down. Wait until
there
is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be
badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
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