Engine BUICK REGAL 1997 Owners Manual

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake
set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is in PARK
(P).
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK
(P)
Mechanism Check
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park on
a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0
0
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water
to flush any
corrosive materials from
the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-42
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing
or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often
if your driving habits or conditions
result
in frequent braking.
7-43
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Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol
of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil”
in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench’ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL’
coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in
the Index.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Supercharger
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 ’ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXR0N’-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur ose lubricant,
Superlube (GM Part
No. 1234624 1 or equivalent).
Supercharger
Oil (GM Part
No. 12345982). See “Supercharger
Oil” in the Index.
b
7-44
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1997 BUICK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing
it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 BUCK
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL
PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Porffolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $10.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning ...................................... 6-48
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-53
Built-in Child Restraint
........................ 6-5 1
Built-in Child Restraint Harness
................. 6-5 1
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside of
Your Buick .......................... 6-48
Fabric
...................................... 6-48
Instrumentpanel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-50
Outside of Your Buick
......................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-49
Stains
...................................... 6-48
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-52
Clock, Setting the
............................... 3-12
Comfort Controls
............................ 3-1, 3-2
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-36
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3-24, 3-30
Compact Disc Player
Errors .................. 3-24, 3-30
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-37
Console Storage
................................ 2-49
Control, Loss of
................................ 4-16
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-50
Convex Outside
Mirror .......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Bleedvalves
................................. 5-22
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-19
Tires
....................................... 6-54
Wheels
..................................... 6-53 Coolant Heater. Engine
.......................... 2-21
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-38
Cupholders
............................... 2-49, 2-50
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
CourtesyLamps
................................ 2-44
CruiseLight
................................... 2-74
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-54
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-54
Daytime Running
Lamps ......................... 2-42
DeadBattery
................................... 5-3
Defects, Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger, Rear Window
......................... 3-11
Defogging ............................ 3-4,3-6, 3-10
Defrosting
............................ 3-4,3-6, 3-10
Delayed Entry Lighting
.......................... 2-45
Delayed
Exit Lighting ........................... 2-45
Dimensions, Vehicle
............................ 6-64
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction
............. 3-18,3-21, 3-29
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-37
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
................... 2-75
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-77
Driver Position
................................. 1-11
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Driving
........................................ City 4-22
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-29
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
OnCurves
.................................. 4-12
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Night
...................................... 4-17
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-39
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-25
On Snow or Ice
.............................. 4-28
Through Deep Standing Water
................... 4-21
With a Trailer
................................ 4-37
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
.................. 3-4
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27 Identification
................................ 6-57
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-39
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running
While Parked ......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-64
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-11
Additives ................................... 6-15
Supercharger
................................ 6-18
Used
....................................... 6-15
What Kind to Use ............................. 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System ........................ 4-11
Enhanced Traction System-Active Light
............. 2-64
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light ........... 2-63
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-32
Exterior Lamps ................................. 2-41
StartingYow
................................ 2-20
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Checking
................................... 6-12
Ethan01
........................................ 6.- 4
Electrical Equipment. Adding ..... 2.21.2.53.3.35. 6.58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
.............................. 6.9.6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-21
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-68
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-68
Exhaust
..................................... 2-32 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-48
Features and Controls
............................ 2-1
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter, Engine Oil
............................... 6-15
Filter, Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-17
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-16
Finishcare
.................................... 6-53
9-4
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Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-25
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-44
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual
11
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement
........................... 6-33
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Canadian
................................ 6-3, 6-5
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-76
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-59
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-68
Fuel
....................................... 2-76
GAWR
....................................... 4-32
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-23
GloveBox
.................................... 2-49
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-32
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-32
Guide en Franpis
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-32
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-32
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-33
Flash-to-Pass
................................ 2-36
Headlamps
.................................... 2-42 High/LowBeam
.............................. 2-36
OnReminder
................................ 2-42
Wiring
..................................... 6-58
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heated Foldaway Outside Mirrors
.................. 2-48
Heatedseat
.................................... 1-3
Heating
............................... 3-4,3-6, 3-10
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-25
HillandMountainRoads
......................... 4-25
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-34
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-21
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-18
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-42
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-44
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-40
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror ................. 2-47
Inspections
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-43
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
ThrottleLinkage
.............................. 7-43
9-5
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel ............................... 2-55
Cleaning
.................................... 6-50
Cluster
................................ 2-56. 2-57
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-59
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-40
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2- 16
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-32
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-57
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-3 1
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-57
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-46
Fog ........................................ 2-44
Exterior
.................................... 2-4 1
Interior ..................................... 2-44
Reading, Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-46
Leaving Your Vehicle
with the Engine Running ....... 2-30
Cornering
................................... 2-44
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-9 Lighter
....................................... 2-51
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.20. 2.60
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2.63. 4.9
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-61
ChangeOilSoon
............................. 2-73
Charging System
............................. 2-60
DoorRrunk
Ajar Warning ...................... 2-75
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.62. 4.7
Cruise
...................................... 2-74
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-68
Enhanced Traction System Active
................ 2-64
Enhanced Traction System Warning
.............. 2-63
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-69. 6-24
LowFuel
................................... 2-76
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2.72. 6-11
Low Traction
................................ 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning
................ 2.38. 2-75
Oil Warning
................................. 2-71
Performance Shift
....................... 2-27. 2-74
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-6. 2-59
Security
.................................... 2-74
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-69
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-75
Tire Pressure Monitor
......................... 2-67
Traction Control System Active
.................. 2-66
Traction Control System Warning
................ 2-65
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-31
9-6
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Net. Convenience .............................. 2-50
New Vehicle "Break-In"
......................... 2- 18
Nightvision ................................... 4-18
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-24
odometer
.................................... 2-58
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-58
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 14
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-11
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-7 1
Overdrive (0). Automatic ................... 2-25. 2-26
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-39
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 10
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-
15
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-55
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-23
Shifting Into
................................. 2-29
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-3 1
Parking
AtNight
.................................... 2-16
Brake
...................................... 2-28
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-42
Lots
....................................... 2-16
Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-3 1
With a Trailer ................................ 4-39
Passing
....................................... 4-15
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter .................. 6- 17
PASS-Key 11 2-17
Pass-through Trunk Cushion Cupholders
............ 2-50
8 .................................
Pass-through Trunk ............................. 2-50
Performance Shift Light
..................... 2-27. 2-74
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-27
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Auxiliary Connection
.......................... 2-53
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
...... ......................... 6-58
Outside Mirrors
.............................. 2-48
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-46
Seat (Six-Way)
................................ 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-12
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-33
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-18
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-10
Publications. Service and Owner. Ordering in Canada
... 8-9
Power
Radiator. Adding Coolant
....................... 5-21
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-25
Radio Reception
................................ 3-34
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-19
Rainy Weather Tips
............................. 4-21
Reading Lamps. Rearview Mirror
.................. 2-46
Radios
....................................... 3-13
9-8
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belts. Care ............................... 6-5 1
Safety Defects, Reporting
......................... 8-8 ...
SafetyChains .................................. 4-37
Safety Warnings and Symbols ...................... vlll
Seatback
Seats Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-4
RecliningFront ............................... 1-4
Heated ....,..............................,.. l-3
Power ....................................... l-3
Seatcontrols ...............,................. l-2
Securing a Child Restraint . . 1-49, 1-50, 1-51, 1-53, 1-54
Manual Front ................................. 1-2
Restraint Systems .............................. 1-1
Six-Way Power ............................... 1-3
Two-way Manual ............................. 1-2
Second Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................. 2-26
SecurityLight .................................. 2-74
Bulletins, Ordering ............................ 8-10
Engine Soon Light ............................ 2-69
Manuals, Ordering ............................ 8-10
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-57
Work, Doing Your Own ......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6-1
Service Vehicle Soon Light ....................... 2-75
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick ............ 1-24
Sheet Metal Damage ............................ 6-54
SecuritySystem ................................ 2-17
Service ........................................ 6-2
Publications, Ordering ......................... 8-10
'I
9-10
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