1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

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2-47 Perimeter Lighting
When the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter is pressed, the daytime running lamps (high
beams at reduced intensity), parking lamps and back
-up
lamps will come on if it is dark enough outside
according to the twilight sentinel.
This feature will only be activated when the security
feedback feature is programmed to be in Modes 1, 3 or 5
on the transmitter. Modes 0, 2 and 4 do not respond with
exterior lights flashing when unlocking the vehicle so
perimeter lighting will not be active.
This feature can be programmed on or off for
each transmitter.
To turn the feature off:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the door lock switch on the
door throughout this procedure. All doors will lock.
2. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter to enter
the programming mode. Perimeter lighting remains on at
this time and the horn will chirp two times.
3. Press the instant alarm button on the key transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is disabled and the horn
will chirp one time.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now off.To turn the feature on:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the door lock switch on the
door throughout this procedure. All doors will lock.
2. Press the instant alarm button on the key transmitter
to enter the programming mode. Perimeter lighting
remains off at this time and the horn will chirp
one time.
3. Press the instant alarm button on the transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is now enabled and the
horn will chirp two times.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now on.
Perimeter lighting can also be activated through the
optional Driver Information Center (DIC). See
ªPersonal Choice Featuresº or ªDriver Information
Centerº in the Index.
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2-48 Front Reading Lamps
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps will come
on when you open a door. They will turn off when you
turn on the ignition.
To turn on the front seat reading lamps when the doors
are closed, press the button behind the lamp you want
on. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
These lamps work even when the ignition is off. To
avoid draining your vehicle's battery, be sure to turn off
all front and rear reading lamps when leaving
your vehicle.
Rear Reading Lamps
To turn on a rear seat reading lamp, press the switch
above that rear door. To turn off the reading lamp, press
the switch again.
Trunk Lamp
When you open the trunk to its full open position, a
lamp will come on inside the trunk. This lamp will
automatically turn off when the trunk is closed.
Glove Box Lamp
When you open the glove box, a lamp will come on
inside the glove box. This will automatically turn off
when the glove box is closed.
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2-49 Battery Rundown Protection
This feature shuts off all lamps that are left on for more
than 10 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep
your battery from running down.
Mirrors
Inside Manual Day/Night Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Pull the tab forward for daytime use; push it
back for night use.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have an automatic electrochromic
day/night rearview mirror.
When this feature is turned on, the mirror automatically
changes to reduce glare from headlamps behind you. A
photocell on the mirror senses when it is becoming dark
outside. Another photocell built into the mirror face
senses when headlamps are behind you.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare (this change may take a
few seconds). The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the glare is reduced.
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2-50
Mirror Operation
To turn on the automatic dimming feature, press
AUTO. To turn off automatic dimming, press OFF. The
green indicator light will be illuminated when this
feature is active.
Time Delay
The automatic mirror has a time delay feature which
prevents unnecessary switching from the night back to
the day position. This delay prevents rapid changing of
the mirror as you drive under lights and through traffic.
Cleaning the Photocells
Use a cotton swab and glass cleaner to clean the
photocells when necessary.Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
with Compass (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have an electrochromic inside
rearview mirror with a compass.
When set in the MIRROR position, this mirror
automatically changes to reduce glare from headlamps
behind you. A time delay feature prevents rapid
changing from the day to night positions while driving
under lights and through traffic.
The mirror also includes an eight
-point compass
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven.
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2-51
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray glass
cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause the liquid
cleaner to enter the mirror housing. Use a cotton swab and
glass cleaner to clean the photocells when necessary.
Mirror Operation
The right side of the switch located at the bottom of the
mirror turns the electrochromic mirror on and off. To
turn on the automatic dimming feature, press MIRROR.
To turn off automatic dimming, press MIRROR again.
The green indicator light will be illuminated when this
feature is active.Compass Operation
Press the COMPASS switch once to turn the compass on
or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for
approximately two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
If, after two seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (ªNº for North, for example), there
may be a strong magnetic field interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder or a
similar magnetic item.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross
-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth's magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.
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2-52
To adjust for compass variance:
1. Press and hold the COMPASS button located at the
bottom of the mirror until a zone number appears in
the display.
2. Find your current location and variance zone number
on the following zone map.3. Press the COMPASS button on the bottom of the
mirror until the new zone number appears in the
display. After you stop pressing the button, the
display will show a compass direction within a few
seconds. (This is the automatic calibration mode.
Drive in a circle to calibrate the mirror. See
ªCompass Calibrationº following.)
Compass Calibration
If the letter ªCº should ever appear in the compass
window, the mirror may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated in one of two ways:

Drive the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less
until the display reads a direction, or

Drive the vehicle on your everyday routine.
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2-53 Power Remote Control Mirror
Your vehicle has an electric mirror control located on
the driver's door armrest.
Move the switch below the control to choose the right or
left mirror. If you place the switch in the center position,
no movement of the mirror will occur. To adjust the
mirror, push the arrow control in the direction you want
the mirror to go.Adjust each mirror so you can just see the side of your
vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional memory
seat and mirrors feature, these mirror positions, along
with the driver's seat position can be stored in memory.
See ªMemory Seat and Mirrorsº in the Index.
Parallel Park Assist Mirror (If Equipped)
If you have the optional DIC feature, the passenger's
outside rearview mirror also includes a tilt
-down feature
that operates when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R), the
passenger mirror will return to its original position after
a five
-second delay. This delay prevents movement of
the mirror if multiple gear transitions (reverse to drive to
reverse) occur during a parallel parking maneuver. This
feature can be programmed on or off through the
Personal Choice selection menu. See ªDriver
Information Centerº or ªPersonal Choice Featuresº in
the Index for programming instructions. This feature
assists the driver with improved rear obstacle detection.
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2-54 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
If you have this feature, the driver's side outside mirror
will adjust for the glare of headlamps behind you. This
feature is controlled by the on and off settings on the
automatic electrochromic day/night rearview mirror. See
ªAutomatic Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview
Mirrorº earlier in this section.
If you have this feature, the left and right outside mirrors
are also heated when you activate the rear window
defogger. See ªRear Window Defoggerº in the Index.
Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward.
In the rearward position, they will fold flush with the
vehicle. This feature is particularly useful in automatic
car washes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
The glove box is directly in front of the front
passenger's seat. Use the door key to lock and unlock
the glove box. To open the glove box, pull the handle
upward until the latch opens.
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