1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE seats

The 1997 Buick Park Avenue Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good,
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-8.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
sometlvng you want to read.
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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Buick and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should
not do with air bags and safety belts.
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1-26 Seats
and Seat Controls
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts
-- and the Answers
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Driver Position Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Right Front Passenger Position
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Center Passenger Position
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1-47 1-47
1-47 Rear
Seat Passengers
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults
Children
Child Restraints
Larger Children Safety Belt Extender
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash
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Seats and Seat Controls
This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them,
and also about memory seats, reclining seatbacks and
head restraints.
4-way Power Lumbar Control (Option)
If you have this option, the
driver’s and passenger’s
seatback lumbar support
can be adjusted four ways
by moving the single
switch located on the
side
of the seat.
To increase or decrease support, hold the switch forward
or rearward.
To move the lumbar up and down, hold the
switch upward or downward.
Power Seats
Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by
holding the front part
of the horizontal control up
or down.
Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by
holding the rear part of the horizontal control up
or down.
Raise or lower the entire seat cushion by holding the
whole control up or down.
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Heated Seats (Option)
, :. '..<. ,^ ,, , ,, . ._ The heated seat
controls are located
next to the climate
controls on the
instrument panel. Press this button
to turn on
the heating element in
the seat.
The
LO setting warms the seatback and cushion until the
seat nears body temperature. The
HI setting heats the
seat to a slightly higher temperature.
A telltale light in the control reminds you that the
heating system is in use.
Reclining Front Seatbacks
The front seatbacks can be adjusted by pressing the
vertical control located on the side
of the seat. Push it
forward to bring the seat
to a more upright position.
Push it rearward to recline the seatback.
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Head Restraints
Use the vertical switch to move a front head restraint up
or down. Lift up on the switch to move the head
restraint up. Press down on the switch to move the head
restraint down. The top of the head restraint should be
closest
to the top of your ears. This position helps
reduce the chance of a neck injury in a crash. When you
move a front seat head restraint up or down, the
shoulder belt height changes. On some models, the head
restraints tilt forward and rearward also. Some
rear seats have adjustable head restraints. Slide an
adjustable head restraint up or down
so that the top of
the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This
position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.
On some models, the rear seat head restraints tilt
forward and rearward also.
There are four different positions for the front seat head
restraints and three different positions for the rear seat
head restraints. Adjust either head restraint by grasping
the top of the restraint and moving it forward the way
you want it to go until you hear a click. It will then be
locked into that position until you need to move it again.
Pulling it forward past the last position will allow the
headrest to return to its full rear position.
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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), or air bag system.
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you
are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too. It
is extremely
dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas
are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that
is not
equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using
a
safety belt properly.
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&.’ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident
-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number
of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds
of less than 40 mph
(65 kmk).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about safety
belts and children.
And there are different rules for smaller
children and babies.
If a child will be riding in your Buick,
see
the part of this manual called “Children.” Follow those
rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.
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You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the
top strap if the child restraint has one.
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Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward-facing child restraint. (See
“Seats” in the Index.)
Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.
Secure the child in the child restraint as the
instructions say.
Pick up the latch plate, and
run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.
5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
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