2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE warning lights

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that
can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage
would not be covered by your warranty, and it could
be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

2-
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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-16 Trunk
2
-19 Theft
2
-20 Content Theft-Deterrent System
2
-21 PASS-Key
III
2
-23 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-24 Ignition Positions
2
-25 Starting Your Engine
2
-27 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-28 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-31 Parking Brake
2
-32 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-35 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-35 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-36 Engine Exhaust
2
-36 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-37 Tilt Wheel
2
-38 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-50 Mirrors
2
-54 Storage Compartments
2
-62 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-66 Sunroof (Option)
2
-67 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-72 Instrument Panel Clusters
2
-75 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-87 Driver Information Center (DIC) (If
Equipped)
2
-97 Head-Up Display (HUD) (If Equipped)
2
-99 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) (Option)

2-25
D (RUN): This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the ignition key.
This is the position for driving. Even when the engine is
not running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
E (START): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the ignition key. The switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the ignition, with the engine
off, you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver's door.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key,
you will still have power to such accessories as the
radio, sunroof (option) and power windows for up
to 10 minutes. Power is stopped if you open a door.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's
a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.

2-45
Exterior Lamps
This control, located to the left of the steering column,
operates the following systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Interior Courtesy Lamps
Off: Pushing the exterior lamps control all the way in
turns off all lamps and lights.
Parking Lamps: Pulling the exterior lamps control out
to the first position turns on the parking lamps, license
plate lamps, the sidemarker lamps and the instrument
panel lights.
Headlamps: Pulling the exterior lamps control out to
the second position turns on the headlamps, together
with the previously listed lamps and lights.
For information on the interior lights, see ªInterior
Lampsº later in this section.
Lamps On Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp control 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.

2-72
Instrument Panel Clusters
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following instrument panel clusters. Your instrument panel cluster is designed
to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are
explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about those that apply to the instrument panel cluster for your vehicle.
Standard Cluster (United States version shown, Canada similar)

2-75
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.

4-39 Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won't
strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanes
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle's lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they're all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.

6-25
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.