2-71
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you
are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights and
gages. See ªDriver Information Centerº in the Index.
The volume of your vehicle's warning chimes can be
adjusted. For information see ªChime Level
Adjustmentº in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will come on for about eight seconds to remind people
to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and either stay
on for about 20 seconds,
then flash for 55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already
buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
2-79
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on
-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has the
standard instrument panel
cluster, this light will come
on if there is a problem
with your vehicle's engine
oil pressure.
If your vehicle has the optional gage cluster, you
can read your oil pressure directly from the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See ªDIC Displays and
Controlsº in the Index.
The oil pressure light will come on briefly when you
turn your key to RUN. That's just a check to be sure
the light works. This is normal and doesn't show a
problem. If it doesn't come on and then go off,
be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to warn
you if there is a problem.
2-82
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC). The DIC will display
information about how your vehicle is functioning,
as well as warning messages if a system problem is
detected. This feature also allows two different drivers
to store and recall their own personal choice settings.
See ªDIC Personal Choice Programmingº later in
this section.
DIC Displays and Controls
There are two lines in the DIC display. The DIC
displays the driver number identified when entering
the vehicle. You can have your dealer program your
name to appear on this display line. See your dealer
for more information.
When you turn the ignition on, the DIC will display
your DRIVER NUMBER. The system will then
perform a status check and display any messages if
a problem is detected.
If there are no problems detected, the display will return
to the mode selected by that driver the last time the
ignition was turned off.If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will
appear in the display. The following pages will show
the messages you may see on the DIC display.
The message center is continuously updated with the
vehicle's performance status.
The following buttons are
on the DIC control panel
which is located to the left
of the steering column:
ODO/TRIP: When this button is pressed, the
display will show the total mileage, and Trip 1 or
Trip 2 miles. Trip 1 and Trip 2 will display the
miles traveled since the last reset. To reset the trip
odometer, press the ODO/TRIP button until the
preferred trip number (1 or 2) is shown in the
DIC display, then press the RESET button.
The trip odometer will now accumulate miles
until the next reset.
2-85 DIC Warnings and Messages
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC
display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC
message your DIC will display EXP with a number
after it which reflects the following messages:
EXP (Export ID) Warning Message
20 TURN SIGNAL STILL ON?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 TRUNK AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW. . . . . . . .
27 BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36 ENGINE OIL LOW
- CHECK LEVEL . . . . . . . . .
40 THEFT ATTEMPT DETECTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54 SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . .
55 STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61 GAS CAP LOOSE
- CHECK CAP . . . . . . . . . . . .
81 CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91 TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . .
102 CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
139 DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
144 CHECK TIRE PRESSURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove the
messages or warnings from the DIC display.
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
- 54: If you
ever see the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message,
it means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system (stop; turn off the engine; then start the
engine again). If the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
message still comes on, it means there is a problem. You
should see your dealer for service. Reduce your speed
and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE
- 55: You may see
the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer
-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you're
steering. This stability enhancement system activates
when the computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice or
other slippery spot on the road. When the system is on,
you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal.
2-86
When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message
is on, you should continue to steer in the direction you
want to go. The system is designed to help you in bad
weather or other difficult driving situations by making
the most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on,
you'll know that something has caused your vehicle to
start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
DIC Personal Choice Programming
The DIC can be used to program the following personal
choice features available with your vehicle:
Automatic Door Locks
Window Lockout
Security Feedback
Delayed Locking
Perimeter Lighting
Memory Seats
Tilt Mirrors (If Equipped)
Driver ID ON/OFFFor vehicles not equipped with a DIC, see ªPersonal
Choice Programmingº in the Index.
The personal choice settings displayed on the DIC
are determined by the transmitter used to enter the
vehicle. Each remote keyless entry transmitter was
pre
-programmed to belong to DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2
and is numbered on the back. After the button with the
unlock symbol on a remote keyless entry transmitter is
pressed and the ignition is in RUN, the DIC will display
the identified driver and recall the settings previously
programmed for that driver. The settings can also be
recalled by briefly pressing one of the MEMORY
buttons located on the driver's door.
If you unlock the vehicle using your door key instead
of your transmitter, the DIC will not change drivers and
will recall the information from the last transmitter used
or the last driver using the memory seat controls. If this
happens and you were not the last driver of the vehicle,
simply press your correct driver number on the memory
seat controls or press the button with the unlock symbol
on your remote keyless entry transmitter.
2-87
Use the following steps for personal choice
programming instructions.
1. Turn the ignition on and keep the transaxle
in PARK (P).
2. Inform the DIC which driver you are by pressing
the button with the unlock symbol on your remote
keyless entry transmitter or the appropriate memory
seat control.
3. Press and hold the ENG/MET button for five
seconds. WELCOME TO BUICK OPTION
FEATURE will appear in the display.
4. The first choice to be made will be DRIVER ID 1
or 2. Press the ENG/MET button to toggle between
your selections within a display and RESET to
choose the current selection and move on to the
next personal choice feature.
If you would like to exit the selection mode without
moving through each of the personal choice features,
simply press a different button on the DIC or turn off
the ignition. Whatever personal choices you made will
still be retained, even without passing through each of
the features. In order for your personal choices to save,
you must press RESET after making your selections.If you happen to move past a selection you would like
to make a personal choice for, press the button with the
unlock symbol on your remote keyless entry transmitter
or press the appropriate driver number on the seat
control. This will return you to the beginning of the
option feature programming mode.
Automatic Door Locks
The door lock modes when shifting in and out
of PARK (P), can be changed through the DIC.
You can change these modes by different selections
of the following DIC displays:
AUTO DOOR LOCKS
- OFF/ON
UNLOCK
- OFF/ON
UNLOCK
- KEY OFF/PARK
DOOR TO UNLOCK
- DRIVER/ALL
If you choose OFF for AUTO DOOR LOCKS,
your door locks will operate normally with no
automatic feature.
If you choose ON for AUTO DOOR LOCKS, ON for
UNLOCK and KEY OFF, your doors will lock every
time you shift out of PARK (P), and the doors will
unlock every time you stop and turn the ignition to OFF.
2-88
If you choose ON for AUTO DOOR LOCKS, ON for
UNLOCK and PARK, your doors will lock every time
you shift out of PARK (P), and the doors will unlock
every time you stop and shift into PARK (P).
If you choose ON for AUTO DOOR LOCKS, and OFF
for UNLOCK, your doors will lock every time you shift
out of PARK (P), and there will be no automatic door
unlock when shifting back into PARK (P).
If you choose ON for UNLOCK and DRIVER for
DOOR TO UNLOCK, only the driver's door will
automatically unlock when shifting into PARK or
turning the key to OFF.
If you choose ON for UNLOCK and ALL for DOOR
TO UNLOCK, all doors will automatically unlock when
shifting into PARK or turning the key to OFF.
To change modes do the following:
1. Move the arrow on the display between the
selections by pressing the ENG/MET button.
2. Once you have made your selection, press the
RESET button and your choice will be retained
in memory.
See ªAutomatic Door Locksº in the Index for more
information about this feature.Window Lockout
The number of passenger windows locked out by
the window LOCK switch can be programmed through
the DIC.
If you choose R + PASS, all three passenger window
switches will be inactive when the window LOCK
switch is enabled.
If you choose REAR, only the two rear passenger
window switches will be locked out when the window
LOCK switch is enabled.
To change modes do the following:
1. Move the arrow on the display between R + PASS
and REAR by pressing the ENG/MET button.
2. Once you have made your selection, press the RESET
button. Your choice will be retained in memory.
For more information on this feature, see ªWindow
Lockº in the Index.
2-90
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the
transmitter is pressed, the Daytime Running Lamps
(high
-beams at reduced intensity), parking lamps
and back
-up lamps will turn on if it is dark enough
according to the Twilight Sentinel.
You can control activation of this feature by choosing
OFF or ON when the PERIMETER LIGHTS choice is
displayed on the DIC. Make your choice by pressing the
ENG/MET button and record your choice by pressing
the RESET button. You will then be prompted to choose
a TIMEOUT period. See ªExterior Lightsº later in this
section for more information.
For more information on this feature, see ªPerimeter
Lightingº in the Index.
Exterior Lights
The EXTERIOR LIGHTS/TIMEOUT feature can be
changed to a desired setting by using the ENG/MET to
toggle from 5 to 30 seconds. Each toggle will increase
the time by 5 seconds. Once the desired timeout is
displayed, press RESET to record your choice and
move on to the next personal choice feature.Memory Seat Recall
This feature recalls the position of your seat. When this
feature is active, the memory seat and mirror positions
will be recalled for the identified driver when the remote
keyless entry transmitter is used to enter the vehicle.
You can program this feature to be active by choosing
ON when the SEAT RECALL choice appears, or
inactive by choosing OFF when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears on the DIC. Make your choices by
pressing the ENG/MET button and store them to
memory by pressing the RESET button.
You can also program this feature to recall your memory
seat position or the exit seat position.
Memory Position: Choose ON when the SEAT
RECALL choice appears, and then choose MEMORY
when the RECALL POSITION choice appears.
Exit Position: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears, and then choose EXIT when the
RECALL POSITION choice appears. The seat will
move when you enter the vehicle after unlocking it
with a remote keyless entry transmitter. This will
allow for easy entry.
For more information on this feature, see ªMemory
Seatsº in the Index.