Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Airbag System
.........................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-57
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-34
OnStar
®System
......................................2-39
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-44
Sunroof
..................................................2-47
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-48
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-32
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-46
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-55Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-35
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-45
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-82
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-91
Electrical System
......................................5-91
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-101
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Buick Park Avenue Owner ManualM
Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-6
Doors and Locks.............................................2-9
Door Locks....................................................2-9
Central Door Unlocking System......................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III ..............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III Operation...............................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-23
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-24
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-29
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-32
Engine Exhaust............................................2-32
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-33
Mirrors...........................................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass.................................................2-34
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-37
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-37
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-38
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror........2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
OnStar®System.............................................2-39
HomeLink®Transmitter...................................2-40
Programming the HomeLink®Transmitter.........2-41
Storage Areas................................................2-44
Glove Box...................................................2-44
Garage Door Opener Compartment.................2-45
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-46Rear Storage Area........................................2-47
Rear Seat Pass Through...............................2-47
Convenience Net..........................................2-47
Sunroof.........................................................2-47
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-48
Memory Seat and Mirrors..............................2-48
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 3-46.
You can also personalize your climate control
temperature, air delivery mode and fan speed. See
Climate 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.
Each remote keyless entry transmitter can be
programmed to a different mode according to the
user’s preference. To change to another mode do
the following:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the power door
lock switch on the driver’s door throughout
the procedure.
2. Press the trunk button on the transmitter. The horn
will chirp and the transmitter will remain in its
current mode.
3. Press the trunk button again. Each time the trunk
button is pressed, the horn will chirp and the
transmitter will advance to the next mode.
4. Release the power door lock switch.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you can also program these features
through the DIC. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-46.
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
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.
2-34
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