2003 BUICK PARK AVENUE parking brake

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a ¯at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a ¯at tire.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ¯ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake ®rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't
move, you can put blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the other
side of the vehicle, at the opposite end.
5-69

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-27if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don't start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-21

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
·The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
·The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-22

Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
®ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
cha®ng, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
6-24

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
page 5-14.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRONž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
SuperchargerSupercharger Oil (GM Part No. U.S.
12345982, in Canada 10953513).
See
Supercharger Oil on page 5-19.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Fuel Door,
Glove Box
Door, Console
Door and Rear
Compartment
Lid HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-25

B
Backing Up....................................................4-36
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-17
Battery Warning Light......................................3-34
Battery..........................................................5-42
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-20
Brake Fluid....................................................5-40
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-27
Parking......................................................2-27
System Inspection.......................................6-24
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Brakes..........................................................5-40
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-49
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Rear Quarter Panel Turn Signal and
Stoplamps...............................................5-56Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Rear Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-Up
Lamps....................................................5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-57
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-96
Carbon Monoxide...................4-24, 4-32, 2-13, 2-31
Care of the HUD............................................3-19
Care of.........................................................5-81
Safety Belts................................................5-81
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-69
Your CD Player...........................................3-70
Your CDs ...................................................3-70
Cassette Tape Messages.........................3-56, 3-60
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-19
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted............................3-62
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-44
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-19
2

P
Parade Dimming.............................................3-15
Park Aid........................................................3-19
Park(P).........................................................2-28
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P)
Mechanism Check.......................................6-22
Parking on Hills..............................................4-37
Parking.........................................................3-19
Assist........................................................3-19
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-19
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-23
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-25
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-26
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-27
Passenger Temperature Control........................3-26
Passing.................................................4-12, 4-36
PASS-Key
žIII Operation..................................2-19
PASS-KeyžIII ................................................2-19
Perimeter Lighting...................................3-15, 3-50
Personal Choice Radio Controls........................3-65
Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-28
Personalization Features.................................... 2-6
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..........................3-54, 3-58Playing a Compact Disc..........................3-60, 3-64
Playing the Radio...................................3-52, 3-56
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Power...........................................................3-21
Accessory Outlets........................................3-21
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-38
Windows....................................................2-16
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.........2-11, 3-48
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter.............2-39
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-10
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-27
Radios..........................................................3-51
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-69
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-70
Care of Your CDs........................................3-70
Personal Choice Radio Controls....................3-65
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-56
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-52
Setting the Time..........................................3-52
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-66
11

Towing..........................................................4-29
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-29
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-32
Your Vehicle...............................................4-29
Traction........................................................... 4-8
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-36
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-35
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-24
Transaxle.......................................................5-22
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer................................................3-32
Trunk Lamp...................................................3-17
Trunk Lock Release........................................2-13
Trunk Security Override...................................2-14
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-62
Trunk............................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-36
Twilight Sentinel
ž............................................3-14
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-19
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-22Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-90
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss................................................3-67
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-67
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-79
Using HomeLink
ž...........................................2-41
V
Vehicle Identi®cation........................................5-86
Number (VIN).............................................5-86
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-86
Vehicle Personalization....................................3-46
DIC ...........................................................3-46
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................2-46
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-43
Vehicle............................................................ 4-5
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-30
Service Soon Light......................................3-41
Symbols......................................................... iv
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-26
Visors...........................................................2-17
15