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Message Center
The message center is located at the top of the
instrument panel cluster in between the tachometer and
speedometer. It gives you important safety and
maintenance facts.
Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message center
when you turn on the
ignition as a check to
show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running. It
should go out once the engine is running. If it stays on,
or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Service Traction System Warning
Message (Option)
United States Canada
If your vehicle has the traction control system and this
message is displayed when you're driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system. Your
vehicle may need service.
When this message is displayed, the traction control system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If there's an engine
-related and brake system problem
that is specifically related to traction control, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning message
will come on. If the brake system problem is caused by
the brakes beginning to overheat, the brakes will need to
cool down before the traction control system warning
message will turn off.
If the traction control system warning message comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
2-105 Low Tire Pressure Message (If Equipped)
United States Canada
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. After the system has
been properly calibrated, the low tire pressure message
will come on and chime will sound if a pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire.
The message will stay on until you turn off the ignition
or reset (calibrate) the system. See ªCheck Tire Pressure
Systemº in the Index.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the display is located on the instrument
panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will show
information about the vehicle and the surroundings.
The DIC is capable of displaying English or French.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC) Messagesº
later in this section to change the display from English
to metric.
2-106
When the ignition is turned to ON or START, the DIC
will display the following:
BUICK: BUICK will be displayed for three seconds.
DRIVER #: This message will be displayed for another
three seconds after BUICK appears in the display. This
display lets the driver know which driver's remote
keyless entry transmitter is being used and the driver's
customization features.
The DIC controls are
located to the left of the
steering column on the
instrument panel.
The DIC will be in the last mode displayed when the
engine was turned off. To select a different mode, press
MODE. The display will cycle through its options at
each press of MODE.MODE: This button lets you cycle through the options
on the display.
SET: This button is used to select and set the options to
your preference.
Driver Information Center (DIC) Messages
The DIC will always display the compass reading and
the outside temperature. If the temperature is below
38F (3C), the temperature reading will toggle
between displaying the temperature and the word ICE
for two minutes.
AVG ECONOMY: Average fuel economy is viewed as
a long term approximation of your overall driving
conditions. To learn the average fuel economy from a
new starting point, press and hold the SET button while
the average fuel economy is displayed on the DIC. The
average fuel economy will set to zero.
INST ECONOMY: Instantaneous fuel economy varies
with your driving conditions, such as acceleration,
braking and the grade of the road being traveled.
2-122
Head-Up Display (HUD) (Option)
CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
If your vehicle has this option, it can display the
speedometer reading in English or metric. The current
radio station, CD number and/or track number or tape
may also be displayed and will appear as an image
focused out toward the front of your vehicle.
The HUD is capable of displaying English or French.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC) Messagesº
earlier in this section to change the display from English
to metric.The Head
-Up Display also displays the following lights
and messages when they appear on the instrument
panel cluster:
Turn Signal Indicators
High
-Beam Indicator
Low
-Fuel Warning Message
See each of these features in the Index for
more information.
The Head
-Up Display also displays a CHECK GAGES
icon. The following messages could appear on the
instrument panel cluster when CHECK GAGES appears:
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Message
Low Oil Pressure Message
Charging System Indicator Message
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
See each of these messages in the Index for
more information.
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Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls and
driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel cluster, you may not see something important,
such as a warning light. Under important warning
conditions, the CHECK GAGES icon will illuminate in
the HUD. Glance at your instrument panel cluster for
more information.
NOTICE:
Although the HUD image appears to be near the
front of the vehicle, do not use it as a parking aid.
The HUD was not designed for that purpose. If
you try to use it as such, you may misjudge the
distance and damage your vehicle.
The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will
always be displayed. The current radio station, cassette
tape or CD number and track number will only be
displayed for three seconds after the radio, tape or CD
track status changes. This will happen whenever one of
the radio controls is pressed, either on the radio or on
the audio steering wheel controls (if equipped).
3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With this system, 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.
Dual Manual Comfort Control
Fan Knob
The left knob is used to select the force of air you want.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and
counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. The fan must be
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.Temperature Knob
The center knob controls the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn the knob clockwise
(toward the red area) for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise (toward the blue area) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob is used to select and determine the
direction of the air flowing into the vehicle.
(Upper): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets and the rear console outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the front instrument panel outlets
and the rear console outlets, while warmed air is
directed through the heater ducts at your feet.
(Lower): This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. It is also used to send air to the
rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats
free of objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of
the vehicle.
3-4
Heating
Turn the temperature knob clockwise (toward the red
area) to warm the air.
In the lower mode, outside air will be brought in and
sent through the floor outlets. The heater works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
The bi
-level setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results, move the temperature knob to the
middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35F (2C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed
until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal
condition designed to provide heat to the passenger
compartment and defrost the windows more quickly.
If your vehicle is equipped with an engine coolant heater
and you use it during cold weather, 0F (
-18C) or
lower, your heating system will provide heat more
quickly because the engine coolant is already warmed.
See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows.
To rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
knob all the way clockwise (to the red area) and turn the
mode knob to defrost. Adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air
through the heater ducts, turn the mode knob to defog.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the bi
-level setting and adjust the fan to the highest
speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument panel
toward the side windows. For increased airflow to the
side vents, close the center vents.
Operating the HVAC system in the recirculation mode may
cause fogging of the vehicle's windows when the weather is
cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the HVAC system to
either the defog or defrost mode and increase the fan speed.
To avoid re
-fogging of the windows, operate the HVAC
system in the outside air mode.
For additional information, refer to ªRecirculationº
earlier in this section.
3-6
Passenger's Temperature Control
The passenger's temperature knob adjusts the
temperature on the passenger's side of the vehicle so
it is warmer or cooler than the temperature set by the
driver. The passenger temperature setting is shown
under the words PASS TEMP in the display.
Turn the knob clockwise to raise the temperature and
counterclockwise to lower the temperature. The display
will not show the passenger's temperature
-- only that
of the driver. Indicators under the words PASS TEMP in
the display will show passenger temperature relative
driver's set temperature.
The large single bar in the center of the + and
- symbols
(neutral) indicates the same temperature as the driver.
The bars between the center bar and the + symbol
indicate a warmer temperature setting than the driver.
The bars between the center bar and the
- symbol
indicate a cooler temperature setting than the driver.
Manual Control
You can also manually control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. You can select airflow
direction, fan speed, outside or recirculated air and air
compressor operation by using the following:Mode Button
This button has several settings to control direction of
airflow when the system is not in AUTO. To access the
various modes available, continue to press MODE until
the desired mode appears in the display.
(Defog): This setting directs half of the air to
the floor ducts and half to the defroster and side
window vents.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs half of the air
through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the
remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defroster and side window vents.
(Upper): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
(Lower): This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. The rest comes out of the
defroster and side window vents.
(Defrost): This setting brings in outside air and
directs most of the air through the defrost vent. Some of
the air also goes to the floor ducts and the side window
defogger outlets. The air conditioning compressor will
run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 32F (0C).