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
Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-6
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Central Door Unlocking System......................2-11
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-14
Lockout Protection........................................2-14
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-14
Trunk..........................................................2-15
Windows........................................................2-17
Power Windows............................................2-18
Sun Visors...................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-19
PASS-Key
®III ..............................................2-21
PASS-Key®III Operation...............................2-22Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-23
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-23
Ignition Positions..........................................2-24
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-25
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-26
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-27
Parking Brake..............................................2-29
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-33
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-33
Engine Exhaust............................................2-34
Running Your Engine While You Are
Parked.....................................................2-35
Mirrors...........................................................2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass..................................2-37
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-39
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-40
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-40
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror........2-41
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
OnStar®System.............................................2-41
HomeLink®Transmitter...................................2-43
Programming the HomeLink®Transmitter.........2-43
Storage Areas................................................2-47
Glove Box...................................................2-47
Garage Door Opener Compartment.................2-47
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-48
Assist Handles.............................................2-49Rear Storage Area........................................2-49
Rear Seat Armrest........................................2-49
Rear Seat Pass Through...............................2-49
Convenience Net..........................................2-49
Sunroof.........................................................2-50
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-51
Memory Seat and Mirrors..............................2-51
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
Personalization Features
Each remote keyless entry transmitter can be
programmed to the driver’s preference for automatic
door locks, security feedback, delayed locking, memory
seat, perimeter lighting, outside curb view assist mirror
and window lockout. Each of these personalization
features will be explained in this manual.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you can also program any of these features
through the DIC. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-47.
You can also personalize your climate control
temperature, air delivery mode and fan speed.
SeeClimate Controls Personalization on page 3-31.
Security Feedback
This feature provides feedback when the vehicle
receives a command from the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The following modes may be selected:
Mode 0:No feedback when locking or unlocking
vehicle.
Mode 1:No feedback when locking; exterior lamps
ash when unlocking vehicle.
Mode 2:Exterior lamps ash when locking; no feedback
when unlocking vehicle.
Mode 3:Exterior lamps ash when locking and when
unlocking vehicle.
Mode 4:Exterior lamps ash and horn chirps when
locking; no feedback when unlocking vehicle.
Mode 5:Exterior lamps ash and horn chirps when
locking; exterior lamps ash when unlocking vehicle.
2-7
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Pull the tab forward for daytime use;
push it back for night use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. Your vehicle’s mirror may also contain OnStar®
controls. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-41for
more information.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare. This change may take
a few seconds. The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the glare is reduced.
Mirror Operation
AUTO:Press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature.
OFF:Press this button to turn off the automatic
dimming feature.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature. To turn off automatic dimming, press
this button again.
The indicator light will be illuminated when this feature
is active.
2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. Your vehicle’s mirror may
also contain OnStar
®controls. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-41for more information.
The mirror also includes an eight-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Mirror Operation
MIRROR:Press this button to turn on the automatic
dimming feature. Press it again to turn off the automatic
dimming feature.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press and hold this button for several seconds
to turn on the automatic dimming feature. Press and
hold it again to turn the automatic dimming feature off.
The green indicator light will come on when this
feature is active. The automatic dimming feature will be
active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
COMPASS:Press this button once to turn the compass
on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®controls,
press this button once to turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass heading (N for North,
for example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item. If the letter
C should ever appear in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
Mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls can be placed
in calibration mode by pressing and holding the
on/off button untilaCisshown in the compass display.
2-37
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set in zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. If not adjusted to account for
compass variance, your compass could give false
readings.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold COMPASS (or the on/off button for
mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls) until a
zone number appears in the display.
3. Once a zone number appears in the display, press
the COMPASS button (or the on/off button for
mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls) quickly until
the correct zone number appears in the display.
Stop pressing the button and the mirror will return
to normal operation. If C appears in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration.
See “Compass Calibration” explained previously.
2-38
Outside Power Mirrors
Your vehicle has power mirror controls located on the
driver’s door armrest.Press L or R on the selector switch located below the
control pad to choose the left or right mirror. If you place
the switch in the center position, no mirror movement
will occur. To adjust a mirror, use the arrows located on
the control pad to move the mirror in the direction
you want it to go.
Adjust each mirror so you can see some of the side of
your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
The mirrors may also have an arrow that ashes when
the turn signal is used. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-5.
If your vehicle is equipped with the memory seat and
mirrors feature, these mirror positions, along with
the driver’s seat position can be stored in memory.
SeeMemory Seat and Mirrors on page 2-51.
2-39