Page 1 of 410
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-23
Mirrors
....................................................2-36
OnStar
®System
......................................2-41
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-43
Storage Areas
.........................................2-47
Sunroof
..................................................2-50
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-51
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-32
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-47
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-57Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-61
Tires
......................................................5-62
Appearance Care
.....................................5-90
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-108
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-109
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2004 Buick Park Avenue Owner ManualM
Page 4 of 410
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
Page 9 of 410
Power Lumbar
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power lumbar
control is located on
the outboard side of each
front seat. Use the
power seat control rst to
get the proper position.
Then continue with
the lumbar adjustment.
To reshape the lower seatback, press the lumbar
control forward to increase support and rearward to
decrease support. Press the control up or down to raise
or lower the support mechanism.
Keep in mind that as your seating position changes,
as it may during long trips, so should the position of your
lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed.
If you have the independent front cushion moved down
as far as it will go, you may feel the lumbar support
higher in your back. Readjust the location of the cushion
until you are comfortable. You may also want to
adjust the seatback for maximum comfort.
Heated Seats
If your vehicle has this option, press this button to turn
on the heating element in the seat.
The heated seat controls
are located next to the
climate controls on
the instrument panel.
When the heated seat control is rst pressed,
the HI setting is activated. Press the button again
for the LO setting. The third press of the button turns
the feature off.
The LO setting warms the seatback and cushion until
the seat nears body temperature. The HI setting
heats the seat to a slightly higher temperature.
A light on the control reminds you that the heating
system is in use. When the ignition is turned off,
the heating element is also turned off.
1-3
Page 15 of 410
The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...or the instrument panel...
1-9
Page 57 of 410
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAir Bag Readiness Light on page 3-36
for more information.Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
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Page 58 of 410
The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the
driver’s seatback closest to the door.
1-52
Page 61 of 410
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 toward those 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.
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Page 62 of 410
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.
{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.
1-56
