check engine BUICK REGAL 1994 Owner's Manual

Adding Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is located at the left of the
engine compartment.
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
“COLD” or a little higher. When your engine is warm,
the level should be up to
“HOT” or a little higher.
LOW
COOLANT
If this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.)
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Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten
it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the
“HOT” mark.
0 When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be at the
“FULL COLD” mark.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Ip1“l SAMPLE4UXRM072675
ENGINE 44 f ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate
in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of
title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help
you identify your engine,
specifications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the deck lid. It’s very helpful if
you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Buick unless
you check with your dealer first. Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and the
damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Buick, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick”
in the Index.
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I
IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Protection
Plan
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you will
find
in the schedules in this part. So please read this part
and note how you drive. If you have any questions on
how-to keep your vehicle
in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many
GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.
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Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule
I and Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed
in
Section D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and
code, see “Engine Identification”
in the Index.
1.
Engine Oil and Filter Change* -- Always use SH or
SG Energy Conserving I1 oils of proper viscosity. The
“SH” or “SG” designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as “SH/CD,” “SH, SG,
CD,” “SG/CD” etc.
To determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE 5W-30-
or SAE 10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication -- Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. If your vehicle is
equipped with grease fittings, lubricate the
suspension and steering linkage. 3.
4.
5.
Tire
and Wheel Rotation and Inspection -- For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions
in this manual. See “Tires,
Inspection
& Rotation” in the Index. Check the tires
for uneven wear or damage. If you see irregular or
premature wear, check the wheel alignment. Check
for damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessory Drive Belt(s) Inspection -- Inspect
the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed. (Belts can have small cracks
in
individual ribs without affecting performance).
Cooling System Service* -- Drain, flush and refill
the system
with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See
“Coolant”
in the Index. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose clamps.
Clean the outside of the radiator and air conditioning
condenser. Wash the pressure cap and neck.
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Section B: Owner Checks and
Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in
Section
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
(It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.)
CHECK OR
I SERVICE
Engine Oil Level
Level
Level
WHAT TO DO
Check the engine oil level and add the
proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index for further details.
Check the engine coolant level and add
the proper coolant
mix if necessary. See
“Coolant”
in the Index for further
details.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level
in the windshield washer tank and
add the proper fluid
if necessary. See
“Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
0
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At Least Once a Month
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Tire Inflation
Cassette Deck
WHAT TO DO
Check tire inflation. Make sure they are
inflated to the pressures specified on the
Tire-Loading Information label located
on the rear edge of the driver’s door. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should
be done every
15 hours of tape play.
See“Audio Systems” in the Index for
further details.
At Least Once a Year
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Key Lock
Cylinders
Body Lubrication
WHAT TO DO
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
the lubricant specified in Section D.
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also
lubricate all hinges and latches,
including those for the hood, glove box
door and console door. Section
D tells
you what to use.
WHAT TO DO
1. Before you start, be sure you have
enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake
(see “Parking Brake” in the Index. if
necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn
off the
engine immediately if
it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear.
The starter should work only in
“P”
(Park) or “N’ (Neutral). If the starter
works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
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CHECK OR
SERVICE WHAT TO DO
Steering
Column
in each shift lever position.
brake set, try
to turn the key to “LOCK”
Lock While
parked, and with the parking
0 The key should turn to “LOCK”
only when the shift lever is
in “P”
(Park).
The key should come out only in
“LOCK.”
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Parking Brake and
Automatic
Transaxle
“p’
(Park) Mechanism
Check
WHAT TO DO
Make sure there is room in front -of
your vehicle in case it begins to rolL
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With
the engine running and the
transaxle
in “N’ (Neutral), slowly
remove foot pressure from the
regular brake pedal.
Do this until
the vehicle
is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the “P” (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability: Shift
to
“P” (Park). Then release all
brakes.
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CHECK OR
SERVICE
Exhaust System
Inspection
Throttle Linkage
Inspection
WHAT TO DO
Inspect the complete exhaust system.
Inspect the body near the exhaust
system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well
as open seams, holes, loose connections, or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor
pan or could let exhaust fumes into the
vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the
Index.
Inspect the throttle linkage for
interference or binding, and
for
damaged or missing parts. Replace
parts as needed.
CHECK OR
SERVICE
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT TO DO
Inspect the complete system. Inspect
brake lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for
wear and rotors for surface condition.
Inspect other brake parts, including
calipers, parking brake, etc. Check
parking brake adjustment. You may
need to have your brakes inspected
more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can
indicate worn disc brake pads which
may need to be serviced. Also, if the
brake system warning light stays on or
comes on, something may be wrong
with the brake system. See “Brake
System Warning Light” in the Index.
If
your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock
brakes and the anti-lock brake system
warning light stays on, comes on or
flashes, something may be wrong with
the anti-lock brake system. See
“Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
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'Blowout. Tire ................................... 196
Adjustment
.................................. 230
Anti-lock
.................................... 145
Fluid
................................. ; ..... 228
Master Cylinder
.............................. 228
Parking
...................................... 87
Replacement
................................. 230
System. Anti-lock Warning Light
................. 115
System Warning Light
......................... 114
Wear
....................................... 229
Brakes. Trailer
.................................. 167
Braking
........................................ 144
Braking in Emergencies
......... : ................. 146
Break-In. New Vehicle
............................ 79
BulbChart
..................................... 2 60
Bulb Replacement ............................... 23 1
Bulbs. Halogen
.................................. 231
Brake
PedalTravel
................................. 230
Capacities and Specifications Chart
............. 261. 262
CarbonMonoxide
...... : ......................... 91
Carrier. Luggage
................................ 11 1
Cassette Tape Player ......................... 128, 132
Cassette Tape Player Care
......................... 135
Cautions, Safety
.................................. 10
CB Radio, Adding ........................... 125, 253
Changing a Flat Tire
.............................. 197
Cellular Telephone, Adding
.................... 125,
253
Chains, Tire
.................................... 243 Check Gages Light
............................... 119
Engine Coolant
................................ 223
Power Steering Fluid
.......................... 226
Restraint Systems
............................... 67
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 220
Underhood
.................................. 212
Windshield Washer Fluid
....................... 227
Chemical Paint Spotting
........................... 251
Child Restraints
.................................. 52
Children and Safety Belts
........................... 50
Cigarette Lighter ................................ 110
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
........................ 254
CityDriving
.................................... 155
Cleaner. Air
.................................... 219
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 249
Antenna
..................................... 136
Cassette Player
............................... 135
Fabric
...................................... 245
Glass
....................................... 247
Inside Your Buick
............................. 244
Instrument Panel
.............................. 247
Leather
..................................... 247
Outside Your Buick
........................... 248
Safety Belts
.................................. 247
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 250
Vinyl
....................................... 246
White Sidewall Tires
........................... 249
Windshield Wiper and Blades
.................... 248
Checking
BrakeFluid
.................................. 228
Engine Oil
.................................... 214
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