instrument panel BUICK REGAL 1997 Owner's Guide

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.
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your Buick dealer before adding equipment
to the
outside
of your vehicle.
Fuel
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter for your engine. You will
find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel.
(See “Vehicle Identification Number” in the Index.)
If you have the
3800 engine (VIN Code K), use
regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher.
If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane
or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine
needs service. But don’t worry if you hear a
little pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving
up a hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a
higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means you have a problem.
If you have the 3800 Supercharged engine (VIN
Code l), use premium unleaded gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher. With the 3800 Supercharged
engine, in an emergency,
you may be able to use a
lower octane -- as low as 87 -- if heavy knocking
does not occur.
If you are using 91 or higher octane
unleaded gasoline and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
At
a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM D48
I4 in the United States
and CGSB
3.5-M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting
the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control
system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least
91
(at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the
octane is less than 87, you may get
a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
ProCarManuals.com

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn
on and/or
your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs,
return to your authorized Buick dealer for diagnosis
to determine the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may
not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated
for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument panel
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Buick dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives
that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have
to
add anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines
containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available
in your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines
if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your warranty.
6-4
ProCarManuals.com

Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle, located just
below the instrument
panel and to the left
of
the steering column.
Then
go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
6-8
ProCarManuals.com

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
3800 Supercharged (Code 1) Engine
(If Equipped)
Your Buick may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device which is designed to
pump more air into the engine than it would normally
use. This air is mixed with fuel, which creates increased
engine power. Since the supercharger is a pump and is
driven from an engine accessory drive belt, increased
pressure is available at all driving conditions.
The powertrain control module
(PCM), works with
a vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When
this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger
is pumping is routed through a bypass.
All of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 Supercharged L67 engine.
Engine
I --
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on
the instrument panel comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, see
“Low Oil
Level Light” in the Index.
You should check your
engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
6-11
ProCarManuals.com

3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed
as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
if you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and a vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product
.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap
or saddle soap and wipe dry with
a soft cloth. Then, let
the leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish
or shoe polish on leather.
0 Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt
is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
6-50
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
r r
ENGINEA997 f ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Buick. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the deck lid. It’s very helpful
if
you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
e a list of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected
from short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit
breakers and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself.
This greatly reduces the chance
of fires caused by
electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If
the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be
sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the
identical size and rating.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Some fuses are in a fuse
block on the passenger’s
side of the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover labeled
FUSES to expose the fuses.
B C D
Circuit
Breaker Description
A Tire Inflation Monitor Reset Button
B Power Windows/Sunroof
C Rear Defog
D Power Seats
6-59
ProCarManuals.com

For prompt assistance, please have the following
information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
0
0
a
0
0
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the top left
of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature
of concern
We encourage you to call
us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish to write
Buick, address your inquiry to:
Buick Motor Division
Customer Relations Center
902 E. Hamilton Avenue
Flint,
MI 48550
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for addresses of
GM
Overseas offices.
When contacting Buick, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved in the dealership, using
the dealer’s facilities, equipment and personnel. That
is why we suggest you follow Step One first
if you
have a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Buick has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
Buick by dialing: 1-800-83-BUTCK. (TTY users in
Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)
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