1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owners Manual

yellowblue
1-51
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
1-52
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.
ProCarManuals.com

2-
yellowblue
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-14 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Content Theft-Deterrent System
2
-18 PASS-Key
III
2
-20 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-22 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-28 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-32 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-33 Engine Exhaust2
-33 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-34 Windows
2
-35 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-54 Storage Compartments
2
-62 OnStar System (Option)
2
-63 Astroroof (If Equipped)
2
-64 Universal Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-68 The Instrument Panel - Your Information
System
2
-73 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Head-Up Display (HUD) (If Equipped)
2
-84 Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
Your vehicle has a two-key system. One key is the
master and the other is a valet key.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-3
The master key is used
for the ignition, as well
as all door locks and
storage compartments.
The valet key is used for the
ignition and the two side
doors only. It will not open
the trunk or glove box. This
is a theft
-deterrent feature.
The valet key should always
be used when valet parking
your vehicle.When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
bar
-coded key tags from the keys, and gives them to the
first owner.
Each tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tags in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have new ones made easily using the tag. If you
misplace your tag, go to your dealer for the correct key
code if you need a new ignition key.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
extra keys.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-4
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key or remote keyless
entry transmitter.
To lock the door from the inside, move the lock control
on the door handle forward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the door
handle toward the rear of the vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-5 Central Door Unlocking System
From outside the vehicle, if the driver's door key is held
in the unlock position for more than two seconds, or, if
the key is turned to the unlock position twice within
three seconds, all doors will unlock.
Power Door Locks
With power door locks, you
can lock or unlock all doors
of your vehicle by using
either the driver or front
passenger power door
lock switch.
Door Ajar Reminder (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), and a door is not fully closed, the DIC
will display a DOOR AJAR message. See ªDriver
Information Centerº in the Index.
Memory Door Locks
Close the doors and turn on the ignition. Every time you
move the shift lever out of PARK (P), all of the doors
will lock. And, every time you stop and move the shift
lever into PARK (P), the doors will unlock. If someone
needs to get out while you're not in PARK (P), have that
person use the manual or power lock. When the door is
closed again, it will not lock automatically. Just use the
manual or power lock to lock the door again. If you
need to lock the doors before shifting out of PARK (P),
just use the manual or power lock button to lock
the doors.
ProCarManuals.com

yellowblue
2-6
Customizing Your Memory Door Locks Feature
You can program the memory door locks feature to one
of the following modes:
Mode 0: No automatic door lock or unlock.
Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when shifted out
of PARK (P). No automatic door unlock.
Mode 2: All doors automatically lock when shifted out
of PARK (P). Only the driver's door automatically
unlocks when shifted into PARK (P).
Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when shifted out
of PARK (P). All doors automatically unlock when
shifted into PARK (P).
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 3;
however, each remote keyless entry transmitter can
be programmed to a different mode according to the
user's preference.To change modes:
1. Close all the doors and turn the ignition on. Keep all
doors closed throughout this procedure.
2. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch
on the driver's door through Step 4.
3. Press the LOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter to enter the programming mode.
The memory door lock mode will remain in the
current mode.
4. Press the LOCK button on the transmitter again.
Each time the transmitter's LOCK button is pressed,
the mode will advance by one, going from Mode 3 to
Mode 0 to Mode 1, etc.
For each press of the LOCK button, the door locks
will activate in the same manner they would activate
in the corresponding memory door lock mode. For
example, pressing the LOCK button on the
transmitter to advance to Mode 2 would result in all
doors locking and then, only the driver's door would
unlock. For Mode 0, no locking or unlocking
will occur.
5. Release the power door lock switch and turn the
ignition off. The automatic door locks will remain in
the most recent mode selected.
ProCarManuals.com