BUICK REGAL 1994 Manual Online

New Vehicle “Break-InSS
NOTICE:
Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better
in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200
miles (322 km) or so. During this time your
new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in” guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Ignition Key Positions
Your key with the black
plastic
head operates your
ignition lock.
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E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
(A) Accessory: This position lets you use things like the
radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off.
To
use, push in the key and turn it toward you. Your
steering wheel
will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
(B) Lock: Before you put the key in, your ignition will
be in the Lock position. This position locks your
ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s an theft
deterrent feature.
(C) Off: This position lets you turn off the engine but
stili
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like “Lock.” Use “Off’
if you must have your car
in motion while the engine is off (example, if your car is
being pushed).
(D) Run: This is the position for driving.
(E) Start: This position starts your engine.
I NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “Lock” and you can’t
turn’it, be sure
it is all the way in. If it is, then turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. But turn the key only with your
hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will find the VIN at the top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number’’
in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
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Move your shift lever to “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start
in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N” (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
--
Don’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if your Buick is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to “P” (Park) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
To start your 3.1 Liter engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to “Start.” When the engine starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for longer than 15
seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
“Start” for about three seconds. If the car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts
or accessories, you could change the way
the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If
you don’t, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Car” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater) (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0 "F (- 18 "C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior
to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
I NOTICE:
After you've used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before
to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on
the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things. Instead of trying
to list
everything here, we ask that you contact
a Buick dealer
in the area where you'll be parking your vehicle. The
dealer can give you the best advice for that particular
area.
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Automatic Transaxle
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
0 P (Park)
This lacks your front wheels. It's the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can't move easily.
0 R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to "R" (Reverse) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift
to "R" only after your vehicle is stopped.
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To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the
wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only.
I 6% CAUTION:
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
0 @ Automatic Overdrive
This position is for normal driving. If you need more
power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
3 (Third Gear)
This is like @, but you never go into Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose
“3” instead of
@:
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
- When going down a steep hill
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I
I
I
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2 (Second Gear)
This position gives you more power but lower fuel
economy. You can use
“2” on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to
use your
brakes
off and on.
0 1 (First Gear)
This position gives you even more power (but lower
fuel economy) than
“2.” You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is
put in “1,” the transaxle won’t shift into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in “2” (Second Gear) for more than 5
miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h),
or you can damage your transaxle. Use ‘@” or
“3” as much as possible.
Don’t shift into “2” unless you are going slower
than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage your
engine.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck
in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes
or shift into “P” Park
to hold your vehicle
in position on a hill.
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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal
down with your right
foot. Push down
the
paiking brake pedal with yourleft foot.
If the
ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will
come on.
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake:
This vehicle has a push to release park brake pedal.
Hold
the regular brake pedal down and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will unlock the
pedal. When you lift your left foot, the park brake pedal
will follow it to the released position.
I NOTICE: 1
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill:
See “ Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park) position like
this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
0 Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to “Lock.”
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away from your vehicle with the ignition key
in
your hand, your vehicle is in “P” (Park).
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