warning light BUICK REGAL 1997 Owner's Manual

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index.
You
also have a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
See “Low Coolant Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
L
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 you
open 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.
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short tripkity
maintenance schedule:
a
a
a
a
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use
a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle
is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle,
then you need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever occurs
first. (See “Change Oil Soon” Light
in the Index.)
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine
oil to
break down slower.
(See “Change Oil Soon” Light
in the Index.)
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or
a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be
a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil. If
you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or
a local recycling
center for help.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
J
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 DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34 OF (-37 O C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL’ is not
covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
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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.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
1 CAUTIC
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system
does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
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 (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
6-44
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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
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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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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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Locks Automatic Power Door
......................... 2-7
Cylinders
................................... 7-40
DelayedLocking
.............................. 2-8
Ignition Transaxle Check
....................... 7-42
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-40
Lockout Prevention Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
.................................... 2-34
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2.69. 6.24
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-76
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2.72. 6. 11
Low Traction Light ............................. 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
............. 2.38. 2-75
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-44
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-40
Door
........................................ 2-4
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-46
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
How it’s Organized
............................ 7-3
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Trip/Highway
........................... 7-28 Long
Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-39
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-43
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
Maintenance Schedule. Recommended Fluids
andLubricants
.............................. 7-44
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-55
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Manual DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Frontseat
.................................... 1-2
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
................ 3-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-47
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Electrochromic Day/Night
...................... 2-47
Heated Foldaway Outside
...................... 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-47
Power Outside
............................... 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-52
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-25
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-35
MMT
......................................... 6-4
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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
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