tow BUICK REGAL 1994 Owner's Guide

Engine Overheating
You will find the coolant temperature gage on your
instrument panel.
You may also find a low coolant
warning light.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the 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.
0 Tow a trailer.
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10. Then replace the pressure cap. At
any time during this
procedure
if coolant
begins to flow out
of the filler neck,
reinstall the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
pressure cap line up
like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level
in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the “HOT”
mark when the engine is hot or at the “COLD” mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require
the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change
a flat tire safely.
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I : 1
Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces or spare wheel. Place the spare on the wheel
mounting surface. Replace the wheel
nuts
with
the rounded end of the
nuts toward
the wheel.
Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held
against the hub.
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out
when you’re stuck, but you must
use caution.
I I
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well
as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
~ First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between
“R” (Reverse) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle
is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Car”
in the Index.
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To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip lower, and check the level.
A
A
r
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind of oil
to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications’’
in the
Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is located near the front and
center
of the engine compartment.
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all
the way
back
in when you’re through.
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These three things are usually included in a doughnut
shaped logo (symbol)
on most containers. If you cannot
find
oils with the “starburst” symbol, you should look
for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing
the three things noted above.
I NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the
“starburst” symbol or an
API SH or SG
designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Qil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
0 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
than
10 miles ( 16 km).
0 The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change and at every
other
oil change after that.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
in “P” (Park).
lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P” (Park).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine. follow these
steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
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A
B
1. Remove the electrical 4. Install the electrical connector with slotted grooves
connector
(A) from the toward to de front of vehicle.
bulb
by raising the lock
tab (B) and pulling the
connector down and
away from the bulb’s
plastic base
(C).
i
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
Remove the plastic nuts that secure the trunk trim over
the taillights area.
2.
3.
Press and turn the plastic base (C) a 1/4 turn
counterclockwise and remove from the metal
retaining ring
(E) by gently pulling back and away
from the headlight.
Install the new bulb by inserting the smallest tab
(D)
lqcated on top of the plastic base into the
corresponding notch in the metal retaining ring
(E).
Turn 1/4 turn clockwise until it stops. The small
plastic tab should be at the top
of the metal ring.
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0 Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
0
0
0
0 0
0
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply
with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t
rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse
the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left
with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry
it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat
lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat lamp. You
could scorch the fabric.
.
0 Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains
will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
0
a
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to
a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area
with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous
NOTICE.)
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Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM Part No.
105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously
with a cloth
soaked in
full strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
The paint finisH on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle
in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not
allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry
the finish
with a soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick may
be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish.
You can get GM approved cleaning products from your
dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the
Index.)
Your Buick has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to
the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish.
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