2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owner's Manual

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As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
at twice the normal rate, this may indicate that a signal
bulb may be burned out and other drivers won't see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index) and for burned
-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will flash even if a
turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and rear
turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they are
working. You do not need to add a different flasher.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high to
low, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then release it.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster will also be on.
If your vehicle is equipped
with HUD, this light
will also appear in the
display area.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear a click.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
comes on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.

2-38
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked WIPER.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
Use the delay position to set the wiper speed for a
long or short delay between wipes. This can be very
useful in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the
delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter the delay
between wipes.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For high
-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn the
band to OFF.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage,
be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before
using them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades become damaged, get
new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Rainsense
II Wipers (If Equipped)
The moisture sensor is mounted on the interior of the
windshield below the rearview mirror and is used to
automatically operate the wipers. This system operates
by monitoring the amount of moisture build
-up on the
windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the
windshield depending on the driving conditions and the
sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes
will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will occur more
frequently. The system will operate in the delay, low
speed and high speed modes. If the system is left on for
long periods of time, occasional wipes may occur
without any moisture on the windshield. This is normal
and indicates that the Rainsense system is active.
The Rainsense 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, level one. This allows
more rain or snow 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 higher sensitivity levels.
The highest sensitivity setting, level five, is closest to
the LO position. A single wipe will occur each time you
turn the wiper control band to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.

2-39
The windshield wipers also remain in a ªhigh parkº
position (the wipers are stopped on the windshield and
are not in the normal park position), even when the
ignition is turned off.
NOTICE:
Turn the wiper band to OFF to avoid wiper
damage when going through an automatic
car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the moisture
-sensing function. The
system can be overridden at any time by manually
turning the wiper band to LO or HI speed.
NOTICE:
Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever there is a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. For ªprogrammedº
operation, press and release the paddle. The washer will
provide a measured amount of fluid to the windshield
and the wiper will either stop or return to your original
wiping speed. For ªdemandº operation, press and hold
the paddle for at least two seconds. Release the paddle
when you have enough fluid and the wipers will either
stop or return to your original wiping speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
If your vehicle is equipped with a DIC, a WINDSHIELD
WASHER FLUID LOW message will appear on the
display when the vehicle is low on washer fluid.

2-40
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.

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1. Move the cruise control
switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the turn signal
lever and release it. The CRUISE light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then
applying the brake will end the cruise control function.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) briefly to reset. This returns
you to your desired preset speed.Remember, if you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle
will accelerate until you release the switch or apply the
brake. So unless you want to go faster, don't hold the
switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed.
Push the button at the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now
cruise at the higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it there
until you reach a desired speed and then release the
switch. To increase your speed in very small amounts,
briefly move the switch to R/A then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.

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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach a desired lower speed, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
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.

2-43
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
This knob controls the
following systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Interior Courtesy Lamps
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.

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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. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
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
following conditions are met:

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.When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will change to low
-beam headlamps at full
brightness. The other lamps that turn on with your
headlamps will also turn on. When it's bright enough
outside, the regular lamps will turn off, and your
high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn off the headlamps and slide the Twilight
Sentinel control all the way to the left When released,
the control will return to the Twilight Sentinel minimum
delay position and the lights will turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps are designed to come on when you
signal a turn. This will provide more light for cornering
at night.