tow BUICK REGAL 1997 User Guide

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It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake
firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of
the windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger’s door has a switch for its own window.
The driver’s window switch has an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled
AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch, and the driver’s window will open a small
amount. If the rear of the switch
is pressed all the way
down, the window will go all the way down.
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As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be
burned out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to
help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
A chime will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp HigWLow Beam
To change your headlamps
from low beams to high
beams, or high to low, pull
the multifunction lever all
the way toward you. Then
release it. When the high
beams are on, a light on the
instrument panel also will
be on.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal
the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you a little,
but not
so far that you hear a click.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high-beam headlamps will turn
on. They’ll stay on as
long as
you hold the lever toward you and the
high-beam indicator on the dash will come on. Release
the lever to turn
the high-beam headlamps off.
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Mirrors
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when YOU
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror Electrochromic
Daymight Rearview Mirror
(If Equipped)
To reduce glare from lamps behind you, pull the lever
toward
you (to the night position). To return the mirror
back to the day position, push the lever away from
you.
Your Buick may have an electrochromic dayhight
rearview mirror.
Push the button in the center of the
mirror to turn
this feature on. The mirror will darken
gradually
to reduce glare from headlamps behind you.
This may take
a few moments.
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To access the cupholders, press on the top of the
cupholder door, located just behind the console shift
lever.
Two cupholders will pop into an upright position.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box. To
open, lift the latch.
Center Console
The console has cupholders, a cassette tape storage area
and a coinholder.
To open the console’s storage area,
press the latch located toward
the front of the console lid
on the driver’s side
of the vehicle and pull up.
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Pass-through Trunk (If Equipped) Convenience Net (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature,
you may access your
trunk by pulling down the center back seat cushion--this
gives
you access to the pass-through door. The door can
only be unlocked using your door key. Once this door
is
unlocked, you will then have access to the trunk area.
To access
the rear cupholders, once again, pull down on
the cloth strap located toward the top
of your center
back seat cushion. You will then have access to the dual
oversized cupholders. Your
vehicle may have
a convenience net. You’ll see it
on the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind
the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store those in the
trunk
as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when
you’re
not using it.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your Buick’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly when you turn
the ignition key
to RUN.
If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will
be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
BRAKE
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is
harder to push.
Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or
if the anti-lock brake system warning light
is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index.)
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing
after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will also come on when you’ set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If
it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come
on when you start
your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes. Pull off the road and stop carefully.
You
may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.)
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly if the anti-lock brake system warning
light is flashing. Driving with the anti-lock
brake system warning light flashing can lead
to an accident. After you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
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If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Buick needs service. If the
light
is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
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NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead
to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
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Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
0 Avoiding hard accelerations.
0 Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
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Comfort Controls
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
COMFORT CONTROL II
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle, The system works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The left knob selects the amount of air you want. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to
OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan knob is turned
to
the highest setting, regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. See “Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index.
Temperature Knob
The center knob changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn this knob toward red
(clockwise) for warmer air. Turn it toward blue
(counterclockwise) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction of airflow:
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel
outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically
in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below
40°F (4°C). (Even when the
compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
NORM: This setting brings in outside air and sends
it through the instrument panel outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this setting unless the outside temperature
is below
40°F (4°C). (Even when the compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
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Heating
On cold days, use HTR with the temperature knob all
the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat
it and send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
(0°F (- 18 O C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows.
To defrost the windows quickly, use
FRONT with the temperature knob all the way in the red
area.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows
clear, use
BLEND.
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
(If Equipped)
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With this system, the driver and passenger can maintain
separate temperatures. The system works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Control
The left knob labeled FAN controls the fan speed selection.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan knob is turned
to the highest setting regardless
of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. See “Maintenance Schedule’’ in the Index.
Driver’s Temperature Knob
The center knob sets the temperature for the driver’s
outlets.
Turn the knob toward red (clockwise) for warmer
air. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) for cooler air.
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