Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-56
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-39
Storage Areas
.........................................2-42
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-46
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-29
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-43
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-51Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-29
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-58
Tires
......................................................5-59
Appearance Care
.....................................5-78
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-86
Electrical System
......................................5-86
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-96
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-97
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Buick Park Avenue Owner ManualM
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will ®nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will 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 has 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 speci®c component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help ®guring out a speci®c name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the
following topics:
·Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
·Features and Controls in Section 2
·Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
·Climate Controls in Section 3
·Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
·Audio System(s) in Section 3
·Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv
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
You can also program this feature to recall your
memory seat position or the exit seat position.
·Memory Position: Choose ON when the SEAT
RECALL choice appears, and then choose
MEMORY when the RECALL POSITION choice
appears.
·Exit Position: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears, then choose EXIT when the
RECALL POSITION choice appears and your seat
will move to the stored exit position. The seat
will also move when you enter the vehicle after
unlocking it with a remote keyless entry transmitter.
This will allow for easy entry as well.
For more information on this feature, see
Memory Seat
and Mirrors on page 2-46.
Window Lock Out
The number of passenger windows locked out by the
WINDOW LOCK button can be programmed through the
DIC.
If you choose ALL PASS, all three passenger window
switches will be inactive when the WINDOW LOCK
button is enabled.
If you choose REAR, only the two rear passenger
window switches will be locked out when the WINDOW
LOCK button is enabled.To change modes do the following:
1. Move the arrow on the display between ALL PASS
and REAR by pressing the ENG/MET button.
2. Once you have made your selection, press the
RESET button. Your choice will be retained in
memory.
For more information on this feature, see ªWindow Lock
Outº under
Power Windows on page 2-16.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle ± like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio ± be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle's engine,
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added
improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
3-51
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and to give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with
it ®rst. Figure out which radio you have in your vehicle,
®nd out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle may have a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your
audio system even after the ignition is turned off.
See ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º under
Ignition
Positions on page 2-21.
Setting the Time
Press the HRS knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob
until the correct hour appears on the display. Press
the MIN knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob until
the correct minute also appears.
Return these knobs to their stored positions when
you're not using them.
You may set the time with the ignition off if you
press RECALL ®rst and follow the same procedure
described above.
Radio with Cassette
Playing the Radio
ON/OFF:Push this knob to turn the system on and off.
VOLUME:Turn this knob to increase or to decrease
the volume.
3-52
Cassette Tape Messages
E (Error):If this message and a number appears while
trying to play a cassette tape, it could be for one of
the following reasons:
·E10:The tape is tight and the player can't turn the
tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold the tape with
the open end down and try to turn the right
hub counterclockwise with a pencil. Turn the tape
over and repeat. If the hubs do not turn easily, your
tape may be damaged and should not be used in
the player. Try a new tape to make sure your player
is working properly.
·E11:The tape is broken. Try a new tape.
CLN (Clean):If this message appears on the display,
the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will
still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as
possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player.
See
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player on page 3-69.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can not
be corrected, contact your dealership. If your radio
displays an error number, write it down and provide it to
your dealership when reporting the problem.
Playing a Compact Disc
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. If you
want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio is
off, ®rst press EJECT or RECALL.
If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the
player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the
ignition or system, the disc will start playing where
it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Also, as a protection feature, if a CD is ejected and left
in the player, it will be pulled back in the player with
the ignition on or off.
The integral CD player can play the smaller 8 cm single
discs with an adapter ring. Full-size compact discs
and the smaller discs are loaded in the same manner.
If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduced due
to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality
of the music that has been recorded, and the way the
CD-R has been handled. You may experience an
increase in skipping, difficulty in ®nding tracks, and/or
difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these problems occur
try a known good CD.
Do not add paper labels to discs, they could get caught
in the CD player.
3-60
Compact Disc Changer Errors
E (Error):If this message and a number appear on the
display, an error has occurred and the compact disc
temporarily cannot play.
The CD changer will send an error message to the
receiver to indicate:
·E30:Disc Loaded Incorrectly (Label Side Up)
·E34:CD Changer Door Open (Completely close the
door to restore normal operation.)
·E35:CD Changer Cartridge Empty (Try the
magazine again with a disc loaded on one of
the trays.)
If the error occurred while trying to play a CD in the
compact disc player or changer, the following conditions
may have caused the error:
·You're driving on a very rough road. When the road
becomes smoother, the disc should play.
·The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
·The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealership. If your radio displays
an error number other than the error codes listed
previously, write it down and provide it to your dealership
when reporting the problem.
Personal Choice Radio Controls
If your vehicle has this feature it will enable two drivers
to store and recall personal settings for radio presets,
last tuned station, volume, tone, and audio source
(radio, cassette, or CD).
The memory buttons 1 and 2 for this feature are located
on the driver's door panel and correspond to the
numbers 1 and 2 found on the back of each remote
keyless entry transmitter.
To recall audio sources, press the unlock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter and turn the ignition
on. The source last listened to will be recalled for
the identi®ed driver 1 or 2.
To program this feature, do the following:
1. Set all radio preferences. For more information see
ªSetting Preset Stationsº and ªSetting the Toneº
listed for your particular radio.
2. Locate the memory buttons on the driver's door
panel.
3. Press one of the memory buttons 1 or 2 until you
hear two beeps. The beeps con®rm that your
selection has been saved and can now be recalled.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
3-65