battery BUICK REGAL 2000 Owner's Guide
Page 213 of 349
5-3
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. But please use the following steps listed below
to do it safely.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there are two override access slots that will
allow you to override the park lock system. See ªShift
Lock Releaseº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
The ACDelco battery in your vehicle has a
built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
Page 214 of 349
5-4
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling,
set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put your
automatic transaxle in PARK (P) before setting
the parking brake.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or accessory power outlet. Turn off all lamps
that aren't needed as well as radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. In addition, it
could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
(Your vehicle's battery is located toward the front
of the passenger's side of the engine, under a
diagonal brace.)
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
Page 215 of 349
5-5
5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+)
jump starting terminal. The terminal is on the same
side of the engine compartment as your battery. To
uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, squeeze the
sides of the red plastic cap and pull the cap upward.
You should always use the remote positive (+)
terminal instead of the positive (+) terminal on
your battery.
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the ACDelco battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is
there. If it is low, add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
Page 216 of 349
5-6
6. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) and negative (
-) will go to negative (-)
or a heavy, unpainted metal engine part. Don't
connect positive (+) to negative (
-) or you'll get a
short that would damage the battery and maybe other
parts too.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
7. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of
the vehicle with the dead
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
8. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
Page 217 of 349
5-7
9. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) terminal.
Don't let the other end
touch anything until the
next step. The other
end of the negative (
-)
cable doesn't go to the
dead battery.
It goes to a heavy, unpainted metal part on the
engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.
10. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
14. Be sure to reinstall the remote positive (+) jump
starting terminal plastic cap on your vehicle.
Page 218 of 349
5-8
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
Page 244 of 349
6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 3800 Supercharged V6 Engine (If Equipped)
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-33 Battery6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-57 Cleaning Tires
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-66 Replacement Bulbs
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Page 253 of 349
6-10
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirG. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Page 254 of 349
6-11
When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirG. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Page 276 of 349
6-33
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco battery. When it's time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on
the original battery's label. We recommend an
ACDelco battery.
If your battery has a very low charge or is dead, you
may not be able to remove the ignition key from the
ignition switch or shift out of PARK (P). Refer to
ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
In this section you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs on your vehicle. See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the
Index to find the type of bulb you should use.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.