2003 BUICK PARK AVENUE steering

Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver's frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.The right front passenger's frontal air bag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger's side.
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not in¯ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in¯ating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put
anything between an occupant and an air bag,
and don't attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering. Don't let seat covers block the
in¯ation path of a side impact air bag.
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?
The driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags
are designed to in¯ate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to in¯ate
only if the impact speed is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º
If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't
move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph
(14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however,
with speci®c vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range.If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be
higher. The driver's and right front passenger's frontal
air bags are not designed to in¯ate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts because in¯ation
would not help the occupant.
The side impact air bags are designed to in¯ate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag
will in¯ate if the crash severity is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º The threshold level can vary
with speci®c vehicle design. Side impact air bags are
not designed to in¯ate in frontal or near-frontal impacts,
rollovers or rear impacts, because in¯ation would not
help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy
on the side of the vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have in¯ated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
For frontal air bags, in¯ation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact
air bags, in¯ation is determined by the location
and severity of the impact.
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What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For
both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the in¯ator, which
in¯ates the air bag. The in¯ator, the air bag and
related hardware are all part of the air bag modules
inside the steering wheel, the instrument panel, and the
side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the
frontal air bags would not help you in many types
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion
is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including frontal
or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not towardthose air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions for the driver's and right front
passenger's frontal air bags, and only in moderate to
severe side collisions for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag.
What Will You See After an Air Bag
In¯ates?
After the air bag in¯ates, it quickly de¯ates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
in¯ated. Some components of the air bag module will be
hot for a short time. These components include the
steering wheel hub for the driver's frontal air bag and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's frontal
air bag. For vehicles with side impact air bags, the side
of the seatback closest to the driver's and/or right
front passenger's door will be hot. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but
not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from the vents in the de¯ated air bags. Air
bag in¯ation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop
people from leaving the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an air bag in¯ates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can't get out of the vehicle after an air bag
in¯ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you'll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air
bag system won't be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bagmodules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the frontal air bag system. The module
records information about the readiness of the
system, when the system commands air bag
in¯ation and driver's safety belt usage at
deployment. The module also records speed,
engine rpm, brake and throttle data.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
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The master key is used for
the ignition, as well as the
driver's door lock, trunk
and glove box.
The VALET key is used for
the ignition and the driver's
door only. It will not
open the trunk or glove
box. This is a
theft-deterrent feature. The
VALET key should
always be used when valet
parking your vehicle.Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyžIII vehicle theft
system. Both the master and VALET key have a
transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in
the vehicle's steering column. If a replacement key
or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this
key from your dealer. The key will have PK3
žstamped
on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the
original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a
new key made.
Any new PASS-Key
žIII key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. SeePASS-Keyž
III Operation on page 2-19for more information on
programming your new key.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar
žSystem
with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar
žmay be able to send a command
to unlock your vehicle. SeeOnStaržSystem on
page 2-37for more information.
Notice:Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
spare keys.
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Remote Trunk Release
Press the TRUNK button located to the left of the
steering column to release the trunk lid.
The trunk will open if the transaxle is in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and the trunk release lockout is in
the unlocked position.
The remote keyless entry system will also unlock your
trunk if the ignition is off, or if the ignition is on and
the transaxle is in PARK (P).
Remote Trunk Release Lockout
The remote trunk release lockout button allows you to
secure items in the trunk.
Insert the ignition key into
the TRUNK button, located
to the left of the steering
column. Turn the key
one-quarter turn clockwise
to LK then remove it
from the button.
This will disable the trunk release button and prevent
the trunk from opening when this button is pressed.
Trunk Security Override
The remote keyless entry transmitter will open the trunk
when the ignition is on or off and the vehicle is in
PARK (P), even if the trunk release lockout is activated.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:The emergency trunk release handle is not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or
as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk.
Improper use of the emergency trunk release
handle could damage it.
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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
·Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to ®ve
different positions.
A (ACCESSORY):In this position you can operate your
electrical accessories. Press in the ignition switch as
you turn the top of it toward you.
B (LOCK):This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It's a theft-deterrent
feature.
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Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key hard.
Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool
to force it could break the key or the ignition switch.
If none of these works, then your vehicle needs
service.
C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the
steering wheel like LOCK and it doesn't send any power
to the accessories. The instrument panel cluster will
remain powered in OFF to illuminate the gear shift
indicator. The cluster will also activate the parking brake
light when the parking brake is set. Use OFF if you
must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is not
running.
D (RUN):This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the ignition
key. This is the position for driving. Even when
the engine is not running, you can use RUN to operate
your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
E (START):This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the ignition key. The switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the ignition, with the engine off,
you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver's door.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have power to such accessories as the
radio, sunroof (option) and power windows for up to
10 minutes. Power is stopped if you open a door.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
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