2003 BUICK PARK AVENUE ignition

Rear Storage Area
If your vehicle has this feature, the rear storage armrest
contains two cupholders. To access the cupholders,
pull the armrest down from the rear seatback.
This armrest also includes a storage area inside the
armrest. To open it, pull up on the lever at the front edge
of the armrest.
Rear Seat Armrest
Your vehicle's rear seat armrest contains two
cupholders. To access the cupholders, pull the armrest
down from the rear seatback.
Rear Seat Pass Through
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear storage armrest
with a pass-through feature that allows for trunk access.
Pull the rear armrest down, then push down on the
trunk access panel latch to open the panel. To close,
push the access panel until it latches.
Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie ¯at when
you're not using it.
Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a sunroof. The
sunroof has both manual and express features
for opening the glass panel and sunshade.
The switch for the sunroof
is located on the headliner
between the sun visors.
The sunroof switch has four positions that control
sunroof movement.
The switch will only work when the ignition is on or
when the RAP is active. See ªRetained Accessory
Power (RAP)º under
Ignition Positions on page 2-21.
2-45

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

RainsenseŸ II Wipers
If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior of the windshield below the
rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the
wipers. This system operates by monitoring the
amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes
occur as needed to clear the windshield depending
on the driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In
light rain or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy
rain or snow, wipes will occur more frequently.
The system will operate in the delay, low speed and
high speed modes. If the system is left on for long
periods of time, occasional wipes may occur without any
moisture on the windshield. This is normal and
indicates that the RainsenseŸ system is active.
The RainsenseŸ system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the ®ve sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The delay position closest to
OFF/MIST is the lowest sensitivity setting, level
one. This allows more rain or snow to collect on the
windshield between wipes. You can increase the
sensitivity of the system and the frequency of wipes by
turning the wiper control band away from you to the
higher sensitivity levels. The highest sensitivity setting,
level ®ve, is closest to the LO position. A single wipe
will occur each time you turn the wiper control band to a
higher sensitivity level to indicate that the sensitivity
level has been increased.The windshield wipers also remain in a ªhigh parkº
position (the wipers are stopped on the windshield and
are not in the normal park position), even when the
ignition is turned off.
Notice:Turn the windshield wiper band on the
multifunction lever to off to avoid wiper damage
when going through an automatic car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the moisture-sensing function. The
system can be overridden at any time by manually
turning the wiper band to LO or HI speed.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever there is a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. For ªprogrammedº operation,
press and release the paddle. The washer will provide
a measured amount of ¯uid to the windshield and
the wiper will either stop or return to your original wiping
speed. For ªdemandº operation, press and hold the
paddle for at least two seconds. Release the paddle
when you have enough ¯uid and the wipers will either
stop or return to your original wiping speed.
3-8

Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set
the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
·Push in the SET button at the end of the lever until
you reach a desired lower speed, then release it.
·To slow down in very small amounts, push
the button brie¯y. Each time you do this, you'll go
about 1 mph (1 6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers ®nd this to be too much trouble and don't use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
·Step lightly on the brake pedal, or
·move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-11

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 LampsOFF: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 ®rst 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
Interior Lamps
on page 3-14.
Headlamps 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.
3-12

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and
Twilight Sentinel
ž, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when the
following conditions are met:
·The ignition is on,
·the exterior lamps control is off, and
·the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't be
lit up either.When it's dark enough outside, your high-beam
headlamps will change to low-beam headlamps at full
brightness. The other lamps that turn on with your
headlamps will also turn on. When it's bright enough
outside, the regular lamps will turn off, and your
high-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the transaxle
into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until you shift
out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn off the exterior lamp control and slide the
Twilight Sentinel
žcontrol all the way to the left.
When released, the control will return to the Twilight
Sentinel
žminimum delay position and the lights will
turn off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps come on when the headlamps or
parking lamps are on and you signal a turn with the
multifunction lever. They provide more light for
cornering.
3-13

Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door, the interior lamps will come on.
When you close the door with the ignition off, the interior
lamps will stay on for 25 seconds or until the ignition is
turned to an on position. Locking the doors with the power
door lock switch will override the delayed entry lighting
feature and the lamps will turn off right away.
Using the remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the
door will not cancel delayed lighting.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to ®ve-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition.
This will give you time to ®nd the door handle or
lock switches.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of your instrument
panel displays during daylight while your headlamps are
on. This feature operates with the light sensor for the
Twilight Sentinel
žand is fully automatic. When the light
sensor reads darkness outside, you will be able to
dim your instrument panel displays once again.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL, parking
lamps and back-up lamps will come on if it is dark
enough outside.
This feature will only be activated when the security
feedback feature is programmed to be in Modes 1, 3
or 5 on the transmitter. Modes 0, 2 and 4 do not respond
with exterior lights ¯ashing when unlocking the vehicle
so perimeter lighting will not be active.
This feature can be programmed on or off for each
transmitter.
To turn the feature off do the following:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the driver's door
lock switch throughout this procedure. All doors will
lock.
2. Press the remote alarm button on the transmitter to
enter the programming mode. Perimeter lighting
remains on at this time and the horn will chirp two
times.
3. Press the remote alarm button on the transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is disabled and the horn
will chirp one time.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now off.
3-15

To turn the feature on do the following:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the driver's door lock
switch throughout this procedure. All doors will
lock.
2. Press the remote alarm button on the transmitter to
enter the programming mode. Perimeter lighting
remains off at this time and the horn will chirp
one time.
3. Press the remote alarm button on the transmitter
again. Perimeter lighting is now enabled and the
horn will chirp two times.
4. Release the door lock switch. The perimeter lighting
feature is now on.
Perimeter lighting can also be activated through the
DIC. See
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-46orDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-43.
Front Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps, located on the headliner, and
the interior courtesy lamps will come on when you
open a door. They will turn off when you turn on the
ignition.
To turn on the front reading lamps when the doors are
closed, press the button behind the lamp you want
to turn on. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
These lamps work even when the ignition is off.
3-16