engine BUICK REGAL 2004 Owner's Guide

Low Oil Level Light
With the oil level
monitoring system the
LOW OIL light will come
on briey when the ignition
is turned on.
If the light does not come on briey, have the low oil
level sensor system checked so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil level
during the brief period when the key is turned to on
and the engine cranks. It does not monitor the engine
oil level when the engine is running. An oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the circulating oil to
drain back into the oil pan.
Change Engine Oil Light
The CHANGE OIL SOON
light should come on
briey as a bulb check
when the engine is started.
If the light does not
come on, have it serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on and stays on
after the engine is started, have the oil changed.
For additional information, see “When to Change Engine
Oil (GM Oil Life System)” and “How to Reset the
Change OIL SOON Light” underEngine Oil on
page 5-16.
3-39

Low Fuel Warning Light
If the vehicle’s fuel is low, a circular light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on and a chime will
sound periodically until fuel is added to the fuel tank.
It will also come on for a few seconds when the ignition
is turned on as a check to indicate it is working. If it
does not come on then, have it xed.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If the vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
it is located below the tachometer on the instrument
panel cluster. The DIC gives important safety and
maintenance facts. When the ignition is turned on, the
entire center lights up for just a few seconds.
United States
Canada
3800 V6 Engine
3-42

Control Buttons
The DIC has three buttons that control its functions.
The English/Metric (E/M), RESET and MODE buttons for
the DIC are located to the left of the steering wheel,
just below the instrument panel cluster.
MODE:Press this button to change the mode being
displayed.
RESET:Press this button to reset the mode displayed.
E/M (English/Metric):Press this button to change
the display from English to metric. 3800 V6 Supercharged Engine
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Modes
AVG ECON (Average Economy):This mode shows
the average fuel economy of the vehicle since it was last
reset. Average fuel economy is viewed as a long term
approximation of overall driving and driving conditions.
To learn the average fuel economy from a new
starting point, press the RESET button while the
average fuel economy is displayed in the DIC.
INSTANTANEOUS FUEL ECONOMY:This mode
shows the current fuel economy. Instantaneous
fuel economy varies with driving conditions, such as
acceleration, braking, and the grade of the road being
traveled. The instantaneous fuel economy display
cannot be reset.
OIL LIFE MONITOR:This mode shows an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. When the oil life index
is less than 10%, the CHANGE OIL SOON light
will come on. Have the oil changed according to the
maintenance schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4. You will have to reset the CHANGE OIL
SOON light.
To reset the CHANGE OIL SOON light, see “How to
Reset the CHANGE OIL SOON light underEngine Oil
on page 5-16.Also, see “When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System)” underEngine Oil on page 5-16andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
RANGE:This mode shows the approximate distance
that can be driven without refueling. This is based on the
amount of fuel in the fuel tank and on the fuel economy
of the most recent 25 miles (40 km) trip. This display
cannot be reset.
BOOST GAGE:If the vehicle has the supercharged
engine, this gage will show the amount of boost
the engine is receiving. This display cannot be reset.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle – like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio – be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added
improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
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Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and to give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with
it rst. Figure out which radio you have in your vehicle,
nd out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-18.
Setting the Time
Press and hold H until the correct hour appears on the
display. AM will appear for morning hours. Press
and hold M until the correct minute appears on the
display. The time may be set with the ignition on or off.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and
hold H and M at the same time until TIME UPDATED
appears on the display. If the time is not available from
the station, NO UPDATE will appear on the display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. Once you have
tuned to an RDS broadcast station, it may take a
few minutes for your time to update.
Radio with CD
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power):Push this knob to turn the system on
and off.
VOL (Volume):Turn this knob to increase or to
decrease the volume.
3-45

Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
4-6

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will come on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel. United States
Canada
4-7

If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it is different. See “Anti-Lock Brake System”
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Full-Range Traction Control System
If the vehicle has a Full Range Traction Control
System, it will limit wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.The LOW TRAC light will
come on when the traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin. SeeLow
Traction Light on
page 3-33.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. The cruise control
can be used again when the road conditions allow
safe use of it. See “Cruise Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
The TRAC OFF light
should come on briey
when the engine is started.
If it stays on or comes
on while the vehicle
is being driven, there is a
problem with the traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-33. When the TRAC OFF warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
4-9

The full-range traction control system automatically
comes on whenever the vehicle is started. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, the system
should be left on.
But the system can be turned off. The full-range traction
control system should be turned off if the vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. See “Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out”
underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.
To turn the system off or
on, press the TRACTION
button located directly
behind the automatic
transaxle shift lever on the
instrument panel.
The TRAC OFF warning light will come on the
instrument panel when the system is turned off, and will
go out when the system is turned back on.Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
The LOW TRAC light will
come on while the TCS is
limiting wheel spin. See
Low Traction Light on
page 3-33.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow safe use of the cruise control, it can be
used again. See “Cruise Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
4-10

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering through
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems — steering and acceleration — can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control. SeeFull-Range
Traction Control System on page 4-9orTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-10.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-12