1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE ignition

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If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the retained
accessory power feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
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.
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Moisture-Sensing Delay Windshield Wipers
(If Equipped)
The moisture sensor is mounted on the passenger's interior
side of the windshield behind the rearview mirror and is
used to automatically operate the wipers by monitoring the
amount of moisture on the windshield.The moisture
-sensing system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the five sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The delay position closest to
OFF/MIST is the lowest sensitivity setting. This allows
more water to collect on the windshield between wipes.
You can increase the sensitivity of the system and the
frequency of wipes by turning the wiper control band
away from you to the other delay settings. A single wipe
will occur each time you turn the wiper control band to a
higher sensitivity level.
An initial wipe occurs when you turn the ignition on as a
reminder that the rain sense feature is active.
The moisture
-sensing wipers operate in a delay mode as
well as a continuous low or high speed, depending on the
amount of moisture on the windshield and the sensitivity
setting. The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and
are not affected by the moisture
-sensing function.
NOTICE:
Turn the wiper band to OFF to avoid wiper
damage when going through an automatic
car wash.
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Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or

Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
This knob controls the
following systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Interior Courtesy Lamps
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Pull the headlamp knob out to the first position to turn
on the parking, license and sidemarker lamps. Pull the
knob out further, to the second position, to turn on the
headlamps. Push the knob all the way back in to turn off
the parking and headlamps.
Lamps On Reminder
If you leave the manual headlamp or parking lamp
switch on, remove the key from the ignition and open
the driver's door, you will hear a continuous warning
chime. The chime will turn off when the lamps are
turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and
twilight sentinel, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:

The ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is off and

The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
Instrument panel light brightness can be adjusted
by turning the headlamp knob counterclockwise
and clockwise.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps go on. They
make it easy for you to enter and leave the car. You can
also turn these lamps on by turning the headlamp knob
clockwise all the way past the normal stop.
Illuminated Entry System
When you open either front door or press the UNLOCK
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter, the lamps
inside your vehicle will turn on. These lamps will turn off
after about 40 seconds. These lamps will also turn off if
you start the engine or activate the power door locks.
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door, the interior lamps will come
on. When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for 25 seconds or until the
ignition is turned to an on position. Please note that locking the doors with the power door
lock switch will override the delayed entry lighting
feature and the lamps will turn off right away.
NOTE: Using the remote keyless entry transmitter to
lock the door will not cancel delayed lighting.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition.
This will give you time to find the door pull handle or
lock switches.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of your instrument
panel displays during daylight while your headlamps are
on. This feature operates with the light sensor for the
twilight sentinel and is fully automatic. When the light
sensor reads darkness outside, you will be able to dim
your instrument panel displays once again.
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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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