ignition BUICK REGAL 1997 Owner's Manual

If you pull the knob out
halfway,
it will turn on only
your parklamps. If you pull
the knob all the way out,
your headlamps
will then
come on.
Push the knob
in all the way to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when you turn the ignition switch to
OFF, LOCK
or
ACC with the lamps on.
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work,
so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off and
0 The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t
be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will turn off and your vehicle’s headlamps and
parklamps will turn
on. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go
off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake while
the ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start
your vehicle. The DRL, headlamps and parklamps will
stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need
it.
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Twilight Sentinel
Twilight Sentinel provides a period of exterior
illumination as you leave the vicinity
of your vehicle.
The feature is activated when your vehicle’s headlamps
are on due to the automatic headlamp control feature
described previously in this section, and when your
vehicle’s ignition is turned
off. Your headlamps will
then remain on until the headlamp switch is moved from
OFF to the parklamp position or until a 90 second
illumination period has elapsed.
If you turn off the ignition with the headlamp switch in
the parklamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel cycle will
not occur.
You can customize the vehicle to activate the Twilight
Sentinel when your vehicle’s ignition is turned off under
the conditions described above, or you may choose
not
to activate this feature under any conditions. The
enabledldisabled state of this feature will be toggled
when you perform the following sequence with the
doors closed and the ignition key in the
RUN position: Press
and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch, cycle the headlamp switch
on and then
off two times. Release the power door lock
switch. These operations must be carried out
in a time
period
of less than 10 seconds, followed by a delay
period
of no more than 10 seconds. Then, press and hold
the power door unlock switch. While holding the door
unlock switch, cycle the headlamp switch on and then
off two times. Release the courtesy door unlock switch.
These operations must be carried out in a time period of
less than 10 seconds.
After releasing the door unlock switch, a single chime
will be heard if the Twilight Sentinel function has been
disabled; two chimes will be heard if the feature has
been enabled. This feature will be enabled when your
vehicle is shipped from the factory. Disconnecting the
vehicle’s battery for up to a year will not change the
programmed operation of this feature.
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Illuminated Entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don’t just
turn
off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled
if you turn the- ignition key to RUN or
START, so the lamps will dim right away.
When the ignition is on, Illuminated Entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won’t come on unless
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed Entry Lighting illuminates your vehicle’s interior for a period of time after
all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be
off for Delayed Entry Lighting
to work. Just after
all the doors have been closed,
the Delayed Entry Lighting feature will continue to
work until:
The ignition is turned to the RUN position.
0 The doors are locked.
0 An illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed. If
during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on since a door is open.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates your vehicle’s interior for a
period
of time after the ignition key is removed from
the ignition.
The vehicle’s ignition must be
off for Delayed Exit
Lighting to work. When the ignition key is removed,
interior illumination will activate and remain on until:
The ignition is turned to the RUN position.
The power door locks are activated.
0 An illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the interior lamps will remain on since a door is open.
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Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps
(If Equipped)
Use the switch next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open the doors.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave
the interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor
vanity lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove box
lamps on. If you leave any
of these lamps on, they will
automatically turn off after
20 minutes, if the ignition is
in the OFF position. The lamps won’t come back on
again until you:
Turn the ignition on,
0 Turn the lamp switch off, then on; or
Open a door.
Note that if your vehicle has less than
15 miles (25 km)
on the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
Retained Accessory Power
With retained accessory power, your power windows,
audio system and sunroof will continue
to work up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to the OFF
position and none of the doors is opened.
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Sunroof (If Equipped)
Your Buick may be equipped with an express-open
sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a one-piece
sunshade. The control switch works only when
the
ignition or RAP is on. See “Retained Accessory Power”
in the Index. The control switch is located overhead on
the headliner.
To open the sunroof, push the rear of the switch once
and the sunroof will open to the vent position only.
You will need to open the sunshade by hand. Push the rear
of the
switch a second time and the
sunroof will open the remainder
of the way by itself.
This is the express-open feature.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the front of the
switch until the sunroof motor
stops. The sunshade can
only be closed by hand.
Cellular Phone Provisions
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a wiring harness
that will work with a dealer-installed
GM Hughes@
portable phone. The phone has integrated features with
the radio and car audio speakers. See your Buick dealer
for more details.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol.
The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag”
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The
air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds 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.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come
on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as
a check to show you it’s
working. Then it should
1+1 go out.
##
If it stavgdn, or comes on while you are driving, you
may b&e
a problem with the charging system. It could
inqk6ate that you have
a loose drive belt or another
dectrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio
and air conditioner.
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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.
I
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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Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
LOW TRAC
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
the anti-lock brake system
active light
will come on.
J
Slippery road conditions may exist if this light comes
on,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will
stay on for
a few seconds after the system stops
adjusting brake pressure.
The anti-lock brake system active light also comes 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
there to tell you when the system is active.
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
TRAC
OFF
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the ETS
button, the warning light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on, press the button again.
The warning light should go off. (See “Enhanced
Traction System’’
in the Index for more information.)
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Traction Control System Active Light
(If Equipped: 3800 Supercharged
Engine Only)
LOW TRAC
When your traction control
system
is limiting wheel
spin, this light will come on.
Slippery road conditions
may exist if the traction
control system active light
comes on,
so adjust your
driving accordingly.
Low Traction Light
LOW TRAC
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure to
help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on.
(Also see “Anti-Lock Brake
System Active Light” earlier
in this section.)
If
you have the Enhanced Traction System or the Traction
Control System, this light will also come on when the
system is limiting wheel spin. See “Enhanced Traction
System” or “Traction Control System” in the Index.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the low traction
light comes on,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The
light will stay on for a few seconds after the anti-lock
system stops adjusting brake pressure or the Enhanced
Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The LOW TRAC light also comes 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 there to tell you when
the anti-lock brake system or Enhanced Traction System
is active.
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