2005 BUICK PARK AVENUE Owner's Manual

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-32.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the
engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-25.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-30.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-33

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
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. It may also have OnStar®controls. SeeOnStar®
System on page 2-39for more information.
At night, when glare from lights is high, the mirror will
gradually darken. This change may take a few seconds.
The mirror will return to its clear daytime state when
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 the automatic dimming
feature on or off.
The indicator light will be illuminated when this feature
is on.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. It may also have OnStar®
controls. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-39for
more information.
The mirror has an eight-point compass display in the
upper right corner of the mirror.
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.
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Mirror Operation
MIRROR:Press this button to turn the automatic
dimming feature on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press and hold this button for several seconds
to turn on the automatic dimming feature on or off.
The indicator light will come on when this feature is on.
The automatic dimming feature will go on 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 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 direction of the vehicle.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction, (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 shows
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.
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 the vehicle is 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, the compass could give
false readings.
2-35

To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find the 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. If
C appears in the compass window, the compass
may need calibration. See “Compass Calibration”
explained previously.
Outside Manual Mirrors
If the vehicle has manual outside mirrors, adjust them
by hand so that the side of the vehicle can be seen while
you are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
The mirrors can be folded inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To
fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. To return the
mirror to its original position, push outward. Return both
mirrors to the unfolded position before driving.
2-36

Outside Power Mirrors
If the vehicle has power mirrors, the controls are 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 the switch
is in the center position, the mirror will not move. To
adjust a mirror, use the arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror in the desired direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of the
vehicle and the area behind it.The mirrors may also have an arrow that ashes when
the turn signal is used. SeeTurn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 3-7.
If the vehicle is equipped with memory seat and mirrors,
the mirror positions, along with the driver’s seat
position can be stored in memory. SeeMemory Seat
and Mirrors on page 2-48.
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If the vehicle has the DIC (Driver Information Center)
feature, the passenger’s outside rearview mirror
also includes a tilt-down feature that operates when the
shift lever is in REVERSE (R). When the vehicle is
shifted out of REVERSE (R), the passenger mirror will
return to its original position after a ve-second
delay. This delay prevents movement of the mirror if
multiple gear transitions, (REVERSE (R) to
(AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE)
Xto REVERSE (R)),
occur during a parallel parking maneuver. This feature
can be programmed on or off through the personal
choice selection menu. SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 3-46orDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-50for programming instructions.
2-37

Outside Convex Mirror
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Outside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, the driver’s side outside
rearview mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps
behind you. This feature is controlled using the on and
off settings on the automatic dimming rearview
mirror. See “Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror” or
“Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass”
earlier in this section.
The outside mirrors will heat up to dissolve ice, snow or
fog when the rear window defogger is turned on. See
“Rear Window Defogger” underDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-25.
2-38

OnStar®System
The vehicle may have OnStar®. OnStar®uses global
positioning system (GPS) satellite technology, wireless
communications, and state of the art call centers to
provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services.
A complete OnStar
®user’s guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in the OnStar®-equipped
vehicle’s glove box literature. For more information, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstarcanada.com. Contact
OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the OnStar®button to speak to an OnStar®
advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required
prior to delivery of OnStar
®services and prepaid
calling minutes are also required for OnStar®Personal
Calling and OnStar®Virtual Advisor use. Terms and
conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be
found at www.onstar.com or www.onstarcanada.com.
OnStar®Services
One of the following plans is normally included for a
specic duration with each vehicle equipped with
OnStar
®. You can upgrade or extend your OnStar®
service plan to meet your needs.
Safe and Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Air Bag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Accident Assist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
Remote Diagnostics
Online Concierge
2-39

Directions and Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan services
Driving Directions
Ride Assist
Information and Convenience Services
Luxury and Leisure Plan

All Directions and Connections Plan services
Personal Concierge
OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability is available if your hand-held cell phone is
lost, forgotten, or has a low battery. It is a hands-free
wireless phone that is integrated into the vehicle.
Calls can be placed nationwide using simple voice
commands with no additional contracts and no additional
roaming charges. To nd out more about OnStar
®
Personal Calling, refer to the OnStar®user’s guide in
the vehicle’s glove box, visit www.onstar.com, or
www.onstarcanada.com; or speak with an OnStar
advisor by pressing the OnStar
®button or by calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®Personal Calling
that uses minutes to access up-to-date weather and
traffic reports for your area, news and sports updates,
stock quotes, entertainment and more. You are also able
to listen and reply to your e-mail through your vehicle’s
speakers. Customize your information prole at
www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar
®user’s guide for
more information.
HomeLink®Transmitter
HomeLink®, a combined
universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to
replace up to three
hand−held transmitters
used to activate devices
such as gate operators,
garage door openers, entry
door locks, security
systems and home lighting.
2-40