2003 BUICK PARK AVENUE climate control

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-17
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-21
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-22
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-26
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-27
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-28
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Battery Warning Light....................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-40
Security Light...............................................3-41
Cruise Control Light......................................3-41
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-43
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-45
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-46
Audio System(s).............................................3-51
Setting the Time...........................................3-52
Radio with Cassette......................................3-52
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-56
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-62
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-65
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-66
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-68
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-68
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-69
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-70
Care of Your CD Player................................3-70
Heated Backlite Antenna................................3-70
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlet
B. Exterior Lamps Control
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Steering Wheel Controls
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Shift Lever
H. Audio System
I. Air Outlet
J. Fuel Door Release ButtonK. Trunk Release and Lockout Button
L. Hood Release
M. Ignition Switch
N. Traction Control Button (If Equipped)
O. Heated Seat Controls (Option)
P. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
Q. Climate Control System
R. Glove Box
S. Passenger Climate Control
3-3

When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Power outlets are designed for accessory
plugs only. Do not hang any type of accessory
or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The front ashtray may be removed for cleaning. To
remove, grasp the sides and pull forward.
The rear ashtrays are located on each rear door panel.
To remove the rear ashtray, open the lid and ease
the ashtray upward until the edge can be grasped to pull
the ashtray up and out.
Notice:Don't put papers or other ¯ammable items
into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them, causing a damaging ®re.
There is a cigarette lighter near the front ashtray. To
use it, push it in all the way and let go. When it's ready,
it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
3-22

WINDSHIELD-FLOOR:This mode directs most of the
air¯ow to the windshield with some air¯ow to the
outboard outlets (for the side windows) and the ¯oor
outlets.
MID:This mode directs air¯ow through the instrument
panel outlets.
FLOOR-MID:This mode directs air¯ow through both
the ¯oor and the instrument panel outlets. There is also
a small amount of air directed to the windshield and
the outboard outlets (for the side windows).
FLOOR:This mode directs most of the air¯ow to the
¯oor outlets with some directed to the outboard
outlets (for the side windows) and the windshield.
OFF:Press the OFF button once to turn off the
passenger climate control, if it has been activated.
Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn off the
main system. The outside temperature will be shown
on the display when the system is off.
VENT:Pressing the VENT button allows outside air to
¯ow through your vehicle without the air conditioning
compressor working. To turn off the VENT selection,
push the VENT button again.
Selecting the VENT and AUTO buttons at the same
time allows the system to control the air¯ow
automatically without using the air conditioning
compressor or the recirculation mode.RECIRC (Recirculation):Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air coming into the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside
your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light will come on. The recirculation
mode cannot be used with the FRONT defrost or
VENT mode.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot air escape;
then close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system
to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, press the AUTO
button and the system will automatically enter
recirculation mode and the temperature will be at the full
cold position for maximum cooling.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-24

Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
center of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly.
1FRONT:Press the FRONT button to defrost the
windshield by directing air¯ow toward the windshield and
outboard outlets (for the side windows). To turn off
FRONT, press the AUTO or AIR FLOW buttons.
If the AIR FLOW up button is pressed while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the
air toward the instrument panel outlets. If the AIR FLOW
down button is pressed while in the FRONT defrost
mode, the system will direct the air toward the ¯oor, and
the FRONT defrost mode will cancel. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
=REAR:Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible.
At speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h), the defogger will
operate continuously until you press the REAR
button again. After 10 minutes of driving below 30 mph
(48 km/h), the defogger will turn off automatically. If
you need additional warming time, push the button
again. The system will then operate for ®ve minutes
before going off by itself.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger
button is pressed.
Notice:Don't use a razor blade or something else
sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you
do, you could cut or damage the defogger and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a
decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.
3-25

Passenger Temperature Control
If your vehicle has the optional separate passenger's
temperature control, then the driver and the right
front passenger can select separate temperature
settings. This feature allows the front passenger to
select a temperature that is 5É F (3É C) warmer or cooler
than the driver's selected temperature.
The lever for this feature is located on the right side of
the instrument panel.Slide the lever toward WARM for warmer air or toward
COOL for cooler air. Press OFF on the main climate
control system once to turn off the passenger's
temperature control.
When this lever is moved, the current inside temperature
will appear on the display for a few seconds, then the
outside temperature will appear.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel
located in the middle of the
front outlets to change
the direction of the air¯ow
and to open and close
the outlets.
3-26

The ®lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4for replacement
intervals. See your dealer for details on changing the
®lter.
Once you remove your ®lter, if you choose not to
replace it, it will not damage your vehicle. However, the
air will no longer be ®ltered.
Steering Wheel Climate Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, you can control
the temperature function
by using the switch located
on your steering wheel.
wTEMPx(Temperature):Press the up or down
arrow on this switch to increase or decrease the
temperature.
Climate Controls Personalization
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, up to two
drivers are able to store and recall climate control
settings for the temperature, the fan speed and the
direction of the air¯ow.
Memory buttons 1 and 2 are located on the driver's
door panel and correspond to the numbers 1 or 2 found
on the back of each remote keyless entry transmitter.
To store settings, do the following:
1. Select the desired temperature, fan speed and
air¯ow mode. If desired, a separate temperature
setting may also be selected for the front seat
passenger. For information on how to do this, see
Dual Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-22.
2. Locate memory buttons 1 and 2 on the driver's door
panel.
3. Press the memory button on the door panel that
corresponds to the number on the back of the
transmitter you are programming, until you hear two
beeps. The beeps con®rm that your selection has
been saved and can now be recalled. For more
information on the memory feature, see
Memory
Seat and Mirrors on page 2-46.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
3-28

To recall the climate control settings last stored on your
transmitter, press the unlock button on your remote
keyless entry transmitter and put the ignition in
ACCESSORY or RUN. The settings will be recalled.
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 brie¯y 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 DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-43.
3-29