brake BUICK REGAL 1997 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BUICK, Model Year: 1997, Model line: REGAL, Model: BUICK REGAL 1997Pages: 422, PDF Size: 21.34 MB
Page 14 of 422

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAllERY
CAUSE
BURNS
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS @ e
TURN
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
I
LIGHTER n
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
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Page 77 of 422

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick, and information on starting, shifting
and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you
if everything is working
properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-9
2-15
2-16
2- 17
2-18
2-18
2-20
2-2 1
2-22
2-28
2-29
2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-3 2
2-33 Keys
Door
Locks
Remote Keyless
Entry
Trunk
Theft
PASS-Key@
I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows 2-34
2-34
2-35
2-4
1
2-44
2-47
2-49
2-5 1
2-52
2-52 2-5 3
2-54
2-54
2-55
2-56 2-59
2-77 Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Lighter
Sun Visors
Accessory Outlet
Auxiliary Power Connection
Sunroof
Cellular Phone Provisions
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
lnstrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Driver Information Center
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Page 83 of 422

Automatic Power Door Locks
Programmable Automatic Power Door Locks is a
standard feature that is intended to provide enhanced
security and convenience by automatically locking and
unlocking doors. This feature provides four operating
modes. For your vehicle,
you may select and program
one of the following four operating modes:
Mode 1: No automatic door lock or unlock.
Mode 2: Automatic all-door lock when the transmission
is shifted out of PARK
(P).
No automatic door unlock.
Automatic door relock when any door
is unlocked,
opened and then all doors are again closed while the
vehicle is not in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N) and the
driver’s foot is on the brake pedal.
Mode 3: Automatic all-door lock when the transmission
is shifted out
of PARK (P).
Automatic all-door unlock when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P).
Automatic door relock when any door is unlocked,
opened and then all doors are again closed while the
vehicle
is not in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and the
driver’s foot
is on the brake pedal.
Mode 4: Automatic all-door lock when the transmission
is shifted out of PARK
(P).
Automatic driver’s door only unlock when the
transmission is shifted into PARK
(P).
Automatic door relock when any door is unlocked,
opened and then all doors
are again closed while the
vehicle is not in PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) and the
driver’s foot is on the brake pedal.
The operating mode of the Programmable Automatic
Power Door Locks will be changed when the driver
performs 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 transmission out
of and back into PARK (P). After an initial transmission
cycle, each additional cycle will advance the operating
mode by one, starting from the current operating mode.
During this procedure,
the Automatic Door Lock and
Unlock functions will operate as defined by each mode
above, providing the driver with feedback of the current
operating mode. If cycled beyond Mode
4, the vehicle
will enter operating Mode
1. When the door lock switch
is released, the vehicle will remain in the most recent
operating mode.
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Page 94 of 422

New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Positions
NOTICE:
Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer”
in the Index for more
information.
A 1.
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
ACC (A): This position lets you use the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use ACC
(Accessory), push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will stay locked.
2-18
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Page 99 of 422

I I PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
I position to use when you start your engine because your
I I vehicle can’t move easilv.
-:
d
B I B I B!I BJ LI ------
km Irr Irr ,,r u ,,r,,,r TRIP
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
‘I
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
The above graphic is also displayed on your instrument
panel cluster.
Maximum engine speed
is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles when you’re in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have 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).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
2-23
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Page 100 of 422

Make sure the shift lever is fully into PARK (P)
range before starting the engine. Yoyr Buick has a
brake-transaxle shift interlock. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK
(P)
when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down. Release the shift lever button. Then move the shift lever out of PARK
(P). See “Shifting Out of
PARK
(P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out of PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered
by your warranty.
2-24
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Page 102 of 422

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 kmk), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into
SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever
is put in FIRST (l), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
2-26
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Page 103 of 422

Performance Shifting (If Equipped)
Press the performance shift button to allow the
transaxle
to shift at higher
engine speeds, increasing
acceleration performance.
PERF
SHIFT
The PERF SHIFT light
on your instrument panel
cluster will glow when
performance shifting is
being used.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of accelerator
use while you’re
in the performance shift mode. Press the button again to return to normal shifting. The
transaxle will then shift at lower engine speeds,
increasing
fuel economy.
Shift Lock Release
P
1
If your vehicle’s battery should
vehicle electrical power, there is an access slot that will allow you
to override PARK (P) lock if
your shifter is stuck in PARK
(P).
I( go dead or there is a lack of
The access slot
is located beneath a small cap on the
right side of the console shift panel.
To remove the
cap, use a screwdriver or key. Then insert the key or screwdriver into the slot. Make sure you have your
foot on the brake pedal while you are performing this
procedure. Press down and hold.
You will now be able
to shift your vehicle out
of PARK (P).
2-27
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Page 104 of 422

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake
pedal down with your
right foot. Push down
the
parking brake pedal with
your
left foot,
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When
you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it
to the
released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition
is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N).
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and
you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what
to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-28
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Page 105 of 422

Shifting Into PARK (P) 2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
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.
If you have 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, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot. Hold in the button on the
lever, and
push the lever
all the way toward the
front
of your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-29
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