BUICK REGAL 1997 Owners Manual

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pegown these underhood checks at each
fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary.
See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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At Least Twice a Year Automatic Transaxle Check
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. If your vehicle has a built-in child
restraint, also periodically make sure the harness straps,
latch plates, buckle, clip, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt and built-in child restraint system parts. If
you see anything that might keep a safety belt or built-in
child restraint system from doing its
job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts or harness
straps replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired
or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in
the Index. Check the transaxle fluid
level; add if needed.
See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
A fluid
loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and
repair if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hinges and latches including those for the
body doors, hood, rear compartment, glove box door,
console door and any folding seat hardware. Part
D tells
you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
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Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
I A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake”
in the Index if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.
Try to start the engine
in each gear. The starter
should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on
a
level surface.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
With the engine off, turn
the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move
the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out
of PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
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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.
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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.
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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
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USAGE
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Optikleen@ Washer
Solvent (GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI
# 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-pu ose lubricant, Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
USAGE
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Door Latches Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
requirements
of NLGI #2,
equivalent) or lubricant meeting (GM Part
No. 12346293 or
Category LB or GC-LB.
Weatherstrip Conditioning Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or
“Periodic Maintenance” can be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED
BY READING
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Maintenance Record
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE READING SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
ODOMETER
DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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