warning light BUICK REGAL 1996 User Guide

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Buick 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 washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple of reflective 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Overheating
YOU will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index.
You also have a LOW COOLANT warning light on
your instrument panel. See “Low Coolant Light” in
the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is
no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine is cool.
5-12
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add
only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1.
2.
0
0
Pull out the dipstick.
Using
a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the proper level. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L).
Don t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONO-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level
as
described under “How to Check.”
When
the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Buick 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Bri lid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light”
in the Index.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Wear
Your Buick 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 pedal firmly).
A CAUTION:
I
The brake wear warning so Id means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
I 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 are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear,
and evenly torque
wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete
axle sets.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

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 1/2) 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 - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they 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 braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause
the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
6-39
ProCarManuals.com

(@ Section 9 Index
I- .I
Accessory Outlet .............................. 2-4 I
AirBag ....................................... 1-18
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-22
How
it Works ................................ 1-20
Location
.................................... 1-20
Readiness Light
......................... 1 . 19. 2.47
Servicing
................................... 1-23
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-2 1
What Will You See After it Inflates ............... 1-22
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-21
AirCleane
r .................................... 6-16
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Alarm, Theft-Deterrent ........................... 2-8
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-40
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
...................... 6-48
Antenna, Fixed
................................. 3-26
Antenna, Power
................................ 3-26
Antifreeze ................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2-50.4-8
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-49.4-6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-2 I
Appearance Care ............................... 6-42
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-63 Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-50
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-6
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-38
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-40
Astroroof
..................................... 2-42
Audio Controls
. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-24
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-25
Automatic DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Overdrive
. Automatic Transaxle ................. 2-16
Shifting ..................................... 2-14
Transaxle Check
.............................. 7-36
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-17
Transaxle Park Mechanism Check ................ 7-38
Battery
...................................... 6-30
J~np Starting ................................. 5-2
Saver
...................................... 2-36
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-6
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-5
9-1
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-27
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-27
Parking
..................................... 2-1 8
PedalTravel
................................. 6-29
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-30
System Warning Light
......................... 2-48
Trailer
...................................... 4-32
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-22
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-37
Wear
....................................... 6-29
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle
........................... 2-9
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-3 1
Braking in Emergencies ........................... 4-8
BTSI
......................................... 2-22
BTSICheck
................................... 7-37
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-4
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-6 I
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2-23,4-26, 4-32
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-36
Cassette Tape Player
................... 3-7,3-10, 3-16
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-25
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-2 1
Center Passenger Position ........................ 1-24
Certification Label
.............................. 4-27
Chains, Safety
................................. 4-32
Chains, Tire
................................... 6-42
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-22
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-47 Checking
Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-50
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-49
Child Restraints
................................ 1-37
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ...... 1-39. 1-41
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-43
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-45
TopStrap
................................... 1-38
Where to Put
................................ 1-37
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-40
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-53
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning ...................................... 6-42
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-48
Fabric
...................................... 6-43
Glass
....................................... 6-46
Inside of Your Buick
.......................... 6-42
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-45
Leather
..................................... 6-45
Outside
of Your Buick ......................... 6-47
Special Problems
............................. 6-44
Stains
...................................... 6-43
Tires
....................................... 6-48
Vinyl ....................................... 6-45
Wheels
..................................... 6-48
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-46
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-6
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-25
Compact: Disc Player ....................... 3- 13. 3-16
Compact Disc Player Errors
.................. 3- 15. 3-20
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-32
Console Storage
................................ 2-38
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convenience Net
............................... 2-39
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Positions .............................. 2. 1 o
Illuminated Entry ............................... 2-34
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-35
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-36
Inspections
.................................... 7-39
Brakesystem
................................ 7-39
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-39
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-39
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-39
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-39
Steering
.................................... 7-39
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-39
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-43
Cleaning
.................................... 6-45
Cluster
..................................... 2-44
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-33
Instrument Panel. Fuse Block
..................... 6-53
InteriorLamps
................................. 2-33
Suspension
.................................. 7-39
.................................... J ack,
Tire 5-23
Jump Starting
................ i .................. 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-36
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2- 10
Keys .......................................... 2-1
Labels
....................................... 4-27
Certification
................................. 4-27
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-5 1
.Tir e-Loading Information ....................... 4-27
Vehicle Identification Number
.................... 6-5 1
Lamps ........................................ 2-32
Courtesy
.................................... 2-33
Interior
..................................... 2-33
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-21
Lighter
........................................ 2-40
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-19, 2-47
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-49, 4-6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-48
Charging System
............................. 2-47
Cruise
...................................... 2-56
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-50
Interior
..................................... 2-33
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-51, 6-23
LowFuel
.................................... 2-57
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-50,
4-8
OilLevel
................................... 2-55
Oilwarning
................................. 2-54
Safety Belt Reminder
....................... 1-6, 2-46
Security
..................................... 2-56
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-27
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Automatic Door
............................... 2-4
Cylinders
................................... 7-36
Door
........................................ 2-3
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-36
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-3
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-38
Trunk
........................................ 2-7
Window
.................................... 2-25
9-5
ProCarManuals.com

Low Coolant Warning Light ................. 2-5 1. 6.23
LowFuelLight
................................ 2- 57
LowOilLevelLight
............................ 2-55
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-40
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-36
Luggagecarrier
................................ 2-39
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-63
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-42
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
Long Trip/Highway Definition ................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
................ 7-5. 7-26
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-35
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-39
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-40
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7-4. 7-6
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-49
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-52
Manual FrontSeat
.................................... 1-1
Mirror ...................................... 2-37
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-37
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-36
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-37
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-36 Manual
..................................... 2-37
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-37
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-37
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-41
MMT
......................................... 6-3
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-21
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-26
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-39
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-15
New Vehicle “Break-In”
.......................... 2-9
Nightvision
................................... 4-14
Odometer
.................................... 2-45
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-45
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-10
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-54
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-16
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-35
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- IO
Paint Spotting. Chemical ......................... 6-49
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-14
Shifting
Into ................................. 2-19
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-22
9-6
.
ProCarManuals.com