2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE key

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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.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN, a chime will come on for
about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver's safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see
ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-77 Battery Warning Light
When you turn the key to
RUN, this light will come
on briefly, to show the
battery charging system
is working.
When the light goes off and stays off, the charging
system is working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating you
need service, and you should take your vehicle to the
dealer at once. To save your battery until you get there,
turn off all accessories and turn off your climate
control system.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
RUN. If it doesn't come on
then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if
there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

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CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when your engine
is started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on and the chime sounds, turn the ignition
to OFF. Or, if the light comes on and the chime sounds
when you're driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on and the chime sounds, or
the light comes on again while you're driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system warning
light isn't on, you still have brakes, but you don't have
anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light
is also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see
ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
ªFuelº in the Index. Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration
or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected
by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.

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Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or may
begin programs to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent you from getting a vehicle registration.
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
This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your vehicle's engine
oil pressure.
The oil pressure light can come on briefly when you
turn your key to RUN. It goes off once you turn the key
to START. 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.
When this light comes on and stays on, and a chime
sounds, it means oil isn't going through the engine
properly. The oil could be low, or there might be some
other oil problem. See your dealer for service.

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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.
Tire Pressure Status
- 140: If you see the TIRE
PRESSURE LOW message, you should stop as soon as
you can and check all your tires for damage. (If a tire is
flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.) Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can. See
ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº and ªCheck Tire Pressure
Systemº in the Index.
There are times when you will have to reset (calibrate)
the Check Tire Pressure System. See ªCheck Tire
Pressure Systemº in the Index.
DIC Personal Choice Programming
The DIC is used to program the personal choices of
two drivers. The drivers are recognized as DRIVER #1
and DRIVER #2. The DIC will identify a person as
UNKNOWN DRIVER if they are neither DRIVER #1
nor DRIVER #2. You will let the DIC know which
driver you are by using your remote keyless entry
transmitter or by pressing one of the MEMORY buttons
located on the driver's door. Each remote keyless entry
transmitter was pre
-programmed to belong to
DRIVER #1 or DRIVER #2. Each transmitter
may be programmed differently for each driver.
After you press the button with the unlock symbol on
your transmitter with the ignition in RUN, the DIC will
automatically display the identified driver number. The
vehicle will recall the personal choice settings that were
last made to correspond to your transmitter, including
your radio and comfort control settings. See ªComfort
Controls, Personal Choiceº in the Index.

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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 one of the MEMORY buttons.
If this happens and you were not the last driver of the
vehicle, simply press your correct driver number on the
appropriate MEMORY button or press the button with
the unlock symbol on your transmitter.
The DIC can be used to program the following personal
choice features available with your vehicle:

Memory Seats

Automatic Door Locks

Security Feedback

Delayed Locking

Perimeter Lighting

Parallel Park Assist Mirror

Window Lockout
See ªPersonal Choice Featuresº in the Index.See 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 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.
The next display will be your driver number and the
message ARMREST BUTTON CHANGES
DRIVER #. Follow the instructions in the display.
You are now in the selection mode and the DIC is
ready to program your personal choices in memory.
The selections you make for the personal choice
features will be saved after the display reads
FEATURE OPTION SELECTION DONE.
Each feature that can be personalized will appear in
the display. Once you have made a selection for a
feature, the DIC will move on to the next personal
choice feature.