2005 BUICK PARK AVENUE Air flow

Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Press the AUTO button for
automatic control of the inside temperature, the air
delivery mode and the fan speed.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to 75° F (24° C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any
faster. If you set the system at the warmest
temperature setting, the system will remain in
manual mode at that temperature and it will not go
into automatic mode.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system will
start out blowing air at the oor but may change
modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed for warm up will depend on
the outside temperature and the length of time
that has elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take
from 10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
Manual Operation
Pressing the FAN or AIR FLOW buttons cancels
automatic operation and places the system in
manual mode. Press the AUTO button to return to
automatic operation.
TEMP (Temperature):To manually adjust the
temperature inside the vehicle, push the TEMP arrow.
Push the TEMP up arrow for warmer temperature
settings and the TEMP down arrow for cooler
temperature settings. The setting will be shown on the
display. The display will return to the outside
temperature after a few seconds.
9FAN:Pressing the FAN button will display and hold
the current fan speed while in manual mode. If you
want the fan to run at a lower speed, push the down
arrow on the FAN button. If you want to increase the fan
speed, push the up arrow on the FAN button. The fan
indicators will also be shown on the display.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air lter may
need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
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AIR FLOW:Pressing the AIR FLOW button will display
and hold the current setting while in manual mode.
Use the up and down arrows on the AIR FLOW button
to cycle through the available modes.
WINDSHIELD-FLOOR:This mode directs most of
the airow to the windshield with some airow to
the outboard outlets (for the side windows) and the
oor outlets.
MID:This mode directs airow through the
instrument panel outlets.
FLOOR-MID:This mode directs airow through
both the oor and the instrument panel outlets.
There is also a small amount of air directed to the
windshield and the outboard outlets (for the
side windows).
FLOOR:This mode directs most of the airow to
the oor outlets with some directed to the outboard
outlets (for the side windows) and the windshield.
OFF:Press the OFF button once to turn off the
passenger climate control, if it has been activated.
Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn off the
main system. The outside temperature will be shown
on the display when the system is off.VENT:Pressing the VENT button allows outside air to
ow through your vehicle without the air conditioning
compressor working. To turn off the VENT selection,
push the VENT button again.
Selecting the VENT and AUTO buttons at the same
time allows the system to control the airow
automatically without using the air conditioning
compressor or the recirculation mode.
RECIRC (Recirculation):Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air coming into the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside
your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light will come on. The recirculation
mode cannot be used with the FRONT defrost or
VENT mode.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot air escape;
then close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system
to operate more efficiently.
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For quick cool down on hot days, press the AUTO
button and the system will automatically enter
recirculation mode and the temperature will be at the full
cold position for maximum cooling.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
center of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly.
1FRONT:Press the FRONT button to defrost the
windshield by directing airow toward the windshield and
outboard outlets (for the side windows). To turn off
FRONT, press the AUTO or AIR FLOW buttons.
If the AIR FLOW up button is pressed while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the
air toward the instrument panel outlets. If the AIR FLOW
down button is pressed while in the FRONT defrost
mode, the system will direct the air toward the oor, and
the FRONT defrost mode will cancel. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
=REAR:Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could
be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-58.
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