2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owner's Manual

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to operate your
comfort controls.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Personal Choice Comfort Controls
(If Equipped)
This feature allows two different drivers to store and
recall their own climate control settings for temperature,
air delivery mode, fan and passenger climate control
(on/off) status. The personal choice settings recalled are
determined by the transmitter used to enter the vehicle.
After the button with the unlock symbol on a remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, and the ignition is in
RUN, the climate control will adjust to the last settings
of the identified driver. The settings can also be changed
by pressing one of the MEMORY buttons (1 or 2)
located on the driver's door, until you hear two beeps.
When adjustments are made, the new settings are
automatically saved for that driver.
Dual Automatic ComforTemp
Climate Control
Your vehicle has the dual automatic ComforTemp
climate control system. The following information tells
you how it works.
You will hear a beep each time a button is pushed and a
small light on the button will indicate which buttons are
active. The lights are on all buttons except TEMP, FAN
and AIR FLOW. The display will show fan speed,
comfort level setting and airflow direction for a few
seconds whenever any button, except for rear defog, is
pushed, and then it will display the outside temperature.
The outside temperature reading is most accurate when
the vehicle is moving.

3-3
During stops, when driving slow, or when the engine
is first started after a short trip, the outside temperature
reading can be affected by road or engine heat.
Also, starting the engine within a short time after the
vehicle has been running will affect the reading. To
ensure proper automatic climate control operation, the
outside temperature display may not update as quickly
as expected.
Sun and temperature sensors automatically adjust the
air temperature, the airflow direction and the fan speed
to maintain your comfort setting. The system may
supply cooler air to the side toward the sun. Be careful
not to put anything over the sensors on top of the dash.
Temperature Button
To adjust the comfort level you want maintained inside
the vehicle, push the TEMP button. If you want a
warmer comfort level, push the red arrow. If you want a
cooler comfort level, push the blue arrow. Your comfort
setting is shown in the display.Fan Button
The speed of the blower fan is controlled automatically
if you have the system set for AUTO. Pressing the
FAN button will display and hold the current blower
fan setting.
If you want the blower fan to run at a lower speed,
push the bottom of the FAN button. The fan speed will
decrease with every push of the button until the lowest
speed is reached. If you want to increase the fan speed,
push the top of the FAN button. Notice the fan
indicators on the display.
Mode Controls
Press the AIR FLOW button to deliver air through the
floor, middle or windshield outlets. The system will stay
in the selected mode until the AUTO button is pushed.
Press the up or down arrow on the AIR FLOW button to
cycle through the available modes.

3-4
Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO button when you want the system to
automatically adjust to changes in the temperature.
When the system is set for automatic operation,
air will come from the floor, middle or windshield
outlets depending on the temperature inside the vehicle,
the outside temperature and sun load. Fan speed will
vary as the system gets to and maintains the comfort
setting you have selected through the use of the
TEMP button.
To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
AUTO mode and the TEMP button adjusted to a display
of 75
F (24
C), give the vehicle about 20 minutes to
stabilize, and adjust your comfort setting if necessary,
by using the TEMP button. The display will show
the comfort setting, fan speed and airflow direction
for a few seconds, and then it will display the
outside temperature.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning the fan on
high, to avoid blowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Pushing the FAN, AIR FLOW or
FRONT buttons will override this delay, turn off the
AUTO setting and change the fan speed.Manual Operation
You may also manually adjust the air delivery or
fan speed.
AIR FLOW: This button is used to change the direction
of the airflow. The airflow choices available are FLOOR,
FLOOR
-MID, MID and WINDSHIELD-FLOOR. If the
system is set for AUTO, pressing the AIR FLOW button
will display the current airflow direction, the comfort
setting and the fan speed. Press the AIR FLOW up or
down button again to change the direction of the airflow.
If the AIR FLOW up button is selected while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the air
toward the mid
-position. If the AIR FLOW down button
is selected while in the FRONT defrost mode, the
system will direct the air toward the FLOOR, and the
FRONT defrost mode will cancel. Notice the arrows in
the display.

3-5
OFF: If the passenger comfort control is 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. Turning off the main system causes the fan
to turn off and the airflow to be directed to the floor.
The system will still try to keep the interior of the
vehicle at the previous chosen comfort setting. The
outside temperature will show on the display when the
system is off.
The ventilation system always allows fresh air to flow
through your vehicle when the vehicle is moving, even
with the system in the OFF mode.
VENT: The VENT button allows outside air to flow
through your vehicle without the air conditioning
compressor working. Selecting the VENT and the
AUTO buttons at the same time allows the system to
control the air flow automatically without the use of the
air conditioning compressor or the use of the RECIRC
mode. To turn off the VENT selection, push the VENT
button again.RECIRC: When RECIRC is selected, the system will
limit the amount of outside air entering your vehicle.
This is helpful when you are trying to cool the interior
of the vehicle quickly or limit the amount of outside air
entering your vehicle for some other reason. RECIRC
and AUTO may be selected at the same time. The
system will remain in RECIRC until the ignition is
turned off. The system will return back to the previously
selected mode when the car is turned back on. RECIRC
can be selected in all manual airflow modes except
FRONT defrost. RECIRC cannot be selected with the
VENT button.
FRONT: This selection is used to defrost
the windshield by directing the airflow toward
the windshield.
If FRONT is selected while in the AUTO mode,
the fan speed and the air temperature from the front
defroster will vary. If a manual fan speed setting is
selected, the fan speed will remain at that selection until
another fan speed selection is made or the AUTO mode
is selected. To turn off FRONT, press the AUTO or
AIR FLOW button.
FRONT defrost will work better if any ice or snow is
cleared from the hood and the air inlet area between the
base of the windshield and the hood.

3-6 Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
On very hot days, the system will automatically enter
the RECIRC mode and the temperature door will be
positioned at the full cold position for maximum
cooling. If the system is not in the AUTO mode,
RECIRC should be selected to provide maximum
cooling. You can choose the extreme comfort setting of
60
F (16
C), but the system will not cool any faster
by choosing the extreme comfort setting.
Heating
Press AUTO and adjust the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down arrow. You may also adjust the
ComforTemp system manually by pressing the AIR
FLOW button until FLOOR appears. Again, adjust the
temperature by pressing the TEMP up or down arrow.
Outside air is sent through the floor outlets. The heater
works best if you keep your windows closed.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool but humid days, use FRONT to keep the
windshield and side windows clear and to quickly
remove fog, frost or ice from the windshield.
The fan speed will vary while in the AUTO mode. If a
manual fan speed setting is selected, the fan speed will
remain at that selection until the engine is turned off or
another selection has been made. To turn off FRONT,
press AUTO or AIR FLOW.
Rear Window Defogger
The lines you see on the
rear window warm the
glass. Press this button to
start warming your window.

3-7
At speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger
will stay on until you press the REAR button again.
After 10 minutes of driving below 30 mph (48 km/h),
the defogger will turn off automatically. If you need
additional warming time, push the button again. The
system will then operate for five minutes before going
off by itself.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid or the
integrated rear window antenna, and the repairs
wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Passenger Climate Control
The front seat passenger can control the air temperature
in their seating area. This can be set up to 5
F (3
C)
cooler or warmer than the primary setting. You can
activate this feature by sliding the lever located on the
right side of the instrument panel toward WARM
or COOL.
If the passenger climate 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.

3-8 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through any of the
outlets depending on outside temperatures and comfort
level settings.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it's moving. When the
vehicle is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any air choice (except the rear
window defogger) and any fan speed.
Adjust the direction of
airflow by moving the
louvered vents.
You have rear passenger
ComforTemp outlets that
you can use to adjust the
direction of the airflow to
the rear seating area. The
temperature is controlled by
the front passenger setting.
Ventilation Tips

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.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

3-9 Steering Wheel Controls for Climate
Control (If Equipped)
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.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HRS until the correct hour appears.
Press and hold MIN until the correct minute appears.
You may set the clock with the ignition off if you
press RECALL first and follow the same procedure
described above.
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)