2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE traction control

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-75

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P235/55R17 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P235/55R17 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-78

LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-14
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-32
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-39
Battery Warning..........................................3-37
Brake System Warning.................................3-38
Cruise Control.............................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-41
Oil Pressure...............................................3-44
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-36
Security.....................................................3-45
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-45
TCS Warning Light......................................3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-39
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-19
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection..........................................2-14
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-11
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-14
Lockout Protection.......................................2-14Locks (cont.)
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-14
Long Trip/Highway Denition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-14
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist Steering............4-11
Main and Auxiliary Instrument Panel
Fuse Blocks................................................5-99
Main Instrument Panel Fuse Block...................5-100
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-109
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-19
At Least Once a Month................................6-19
At Least Once a Year..................................6-20
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-20
Brake System Inspection..............................6-24
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-24
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-23
Fuel System Inspection................................6-24
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
8

Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-19
PASS-Key
®III .............................................2-21
PASS-Key®III Operation..............................2-22
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-24
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Ination Check.........................................6-19
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-62
Tire Size.......................................................5-66
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-67
Tires.............................................................5-62
Buying New Tires........................................5-74
Chains.......................................................5-78
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-80
Check Tire Pressure System.........................5-70
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-89
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-79
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-69
Inspection and Rotation................................5-72
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-75
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-76
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-76
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-73
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-26
Top Strap......................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39Torque Lock...................................................2-32
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-23
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-27
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Trunk............................................................2-15
Trunk Lamp...................................................3-17
Trunk Lock Release........................................2-15
Trunk Security Override...................................2-16
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-71
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-43
Twilight Sentinel
®............................................3-14
14