tire pressure BUICK REGAL 1997 Owners Manual

Supplement to the 1997 Buick Regal and Century Owner’s Manuals
This is a correction to information found on page 6-40 (Regal only) and page 6-38 (Century only).
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the inside of the trunk lid shows the correct inflation
pressures for pur tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
This is a correction to information found
on page 6-63 (Regal only).
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
97REGWENOOl
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Tire Pressure Monitor Light
LOW
TI RE
The tire pressure monitor
system can alert you to
a
large change in the pressure
in
one tire. The system
won’t alert you before you
drive that a tire is low or
flat. Each time you start
your Buick, you must drive
10 to
20 miles (15 to 30 km)
before the system will
work properly.
After you’ve driven
10 to 20 miles (15 to 30 km), the
LOW TIRE light will come on if the pressure in one tire
becomes at least 10 psi
(69 kPa) higher or lower than the
other three tires. The tire pressure monitor system
detects differences in tire rotation speeds that are caused
by changes in tire pressure. It will not alert you
if the
pressure in more than one tire is low or high or
if the
system is not calibrated properly.
The system can alert
you about a low tire
-- but it doesn’t measure tire
pressure, and it doesn’t replace normal tire maintenance.
See “Tires’’
in the Index.
When the LOW TIRE light comes
on, you should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires for damage. (If
a tire
is flat, see “If a Tire Goes Flat” in the Index.)
Also, check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon
as
you can. (See “Inflation - Tire Pressure” in the Index.)
The
LOW TIRE light will
stay on until you turn off
the ignition or press the red
RESET button, which is
located inside your
instrument panel fuse block.
(It’s the first button in
the
top row of the fuse block.)
Don’t press the RESET button without first checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires.
If you press
the button when the tire pressure is incorrect,
the check
tire pressure system will not work properly
and may
not alert you when a tire is low.
Any time
you adjust the tire pressure, you’ll need to
calibrate the check tire pressure system.
You’ll also neea
to calibrate the system whenever you buy new tires,
have tires repaired or rotate your tires.
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Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly
an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work
the brakes at each front wheel and at the
rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster
than any driver could. The computer
is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure
in one or
more is low. It can happen
if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
I NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
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Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires” in the Index.)
4-21
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The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready
to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across North America. They’ll be
ready and willing to help if you need it. Here
are some things
you can check before a trip:
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Wirzdslzield Wusher Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine
Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lumps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do
it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSIlKPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT,
ADD 4PSIi28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
FOR ADDITIONAL
, INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
is inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number
of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes
the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-31
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Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause
injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact siare tire with afull-size tire as soon as you
can. See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index. See the
storage instructions label to replace your compact spare
into your
tntnk properly.
Be sure to calibrate your low tire pressure system after
you replace your compact spare tire with a full-sized
one. See “Tire Pressure Monitor” in the Index.
1. Retainer
2. Cover
3. Retainer (full-size tire)
4. Compact spare tire
5. Nut
6. Jack
7. Wrench
8. Lock nut tool
9. Foam holder
10. Bolt screw
11. Extension and
protector/guide
5-36
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Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi
(420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare
on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is
made to perform well at speeds up to
65 mph
(105 kmh) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire
repaired or replaced where
you want. Of course, it’s best
to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you
can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts
of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t
mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the
outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades
are more accessible for removal/replacement while
in this position.
Pull the windshield wiper
arm 3 to 4 inches
(7.5 to 10 cm) away from the windshield.
While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push
the release clip from under the blade
connecting point and pull the blade assembly down
toward the glass to remove
it from the wiper arm.
Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until
you hear the release clip “click” into place.
For wiper blade replacement length and type,
also see
“Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
Tires
Your new Buick comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Buick Warranty booklet for details. Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
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Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold. Overinflated tires are more likely
to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
6-39
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Inflation -- Tire sure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
driver’s
door edge, above the door latch, shows the
correct inflation pressures for your tires when they’re
cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at
least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
-
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not.
If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
0 Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
0 Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
0 Unusual wear
Bad handling
0 Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60
psi (420 kPa).
6-40
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