warning light BUICK REGAL 2003 Owner's Guide

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You’ll save time and energy.
See the next part,“Freeway Driving.”
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washeruid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, aashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of reective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
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How to Reset the CHANGE OIL
SOON Light
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil andfilter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE OIL SOON light being turned on, reset
the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system by
performing the following steps:
1. With the engine off, turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Fully push and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times withinfive seconds.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON lightflashes, the system
is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF, then start the vehicle. The oil
life will change to 100 percent.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes back on, the
system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
If you have a Driver Information Center, the system may
be reset by pressing the DIC RESET button forfive
seconds while viewing the oil life display on the
DIC. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-42.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Notice:We recommend you use onlyuid labeled
DEXRON®–III, becauseuid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused byuid other than DEXRON
®–III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After addingfluid, recheck thefluid level as
described under“How to Check,”earlier in this
section.
4. When the correctfluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle isfilled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occursfirst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-25.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F(−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL®is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occursrst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overow tube on the radiatorller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-10for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You willfind a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-34
andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 3-34.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The overheated engine protection operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition
exists, this mode, which alternatesfiring groups of
cylinders, helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheated engine condition exists. Driving extended
miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheated
engine protection operating mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See“Engine Oil”in the
Index.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-34.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”listed
previously in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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When your brakefluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-31.
What to Add
When you do need brakefluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brakefluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-16.
Always clean the brakefluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind ofuid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brakeuid.
Notice:
Using the wronguid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind ofuid.
If you spill brakeuid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintnish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakeuid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index. United States
Canada
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedalfirmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes arefirst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-15.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-15
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature................3-55
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-86
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-47, 3-51
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-46
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-52
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-54
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-51
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-52
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-49
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-82
AM ...............................................................3-57
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-59
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-32
Appearance Care............................................5-77
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-80
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-83
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-80
Finish Damage............................................5-83
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-84
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-57
Backglass Antenna......................................3-59
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................3-58
Care of Your CD Player
...............................3-59
Care of Your CDs
........................................3-59
Radio with Cassette
.....................................3-45
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-49
Setting the Time
..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................3-55
Understanding Radio Reception
.....................3-57
Automatic Operation
........................................3-20
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
..........................................................5-20
Operation
...................................................2-21
Automatic Transaxle Check
..............................6-11
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
.............................................6-12
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
...........3-16
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