air condition BUICK REGAL 1998 Owner's Manual

Introduction
1
Plan
Have you purchased the Ghl Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements Elour new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your Buick
dealer for details.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and
to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2
ProCarManuals.com

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
I
I
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only
if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle,
you will probably want to get the service
information. See “Service and Owner Publications”
in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your dealer’s service
department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
lists some recommended products to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself
or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place
for you
to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write
it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3
ProCarManuals.com

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive.
If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer. This
part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when
you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these.
All parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits
on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
7-4
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
* Your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
monitor will show you when to change the engine oil
and filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
and 7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change.
Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on
before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
without an oil and filter change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE
OIL SOON light comes
on. Remember to reset the Oil
Life Monitor when the oil has been changed. For more
information,
see “Change Oil Soon Light” in the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part C of this schedule.
7-5
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
7,500 Miles (12 500 knt)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
An Emission Control Sewice. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Sewice. (See footnote *.)
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote t.)
0 Replace passenger compartment air filter.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
DATE
MILEAGE
ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY: I
DATE I
MILEAGE
ACTUAL SERVICED BY:
DATE
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote “f)
0 Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
DATE
DATE
MILEAGE
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
MILEAGE under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
(32°C) or higher.
7-8
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
(Continued)
DATE I
ACTUAL
7-9
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
75,000 Miles (I25 000 km) DATE
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
MILEAGE
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote “f)
necessary.
0 Replace passenger compartment air filter.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
82,500 Miles (I37 500 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
MILEAGE
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
90,000 Miles (I50 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
I DATE 1
(Continued)
7- 13
ProCarManuals.com

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 dealer’s service department
or other qualij?ed 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 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.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed. Replace
any components 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.
7-18
ProCarManuals.com

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Receptacle ..................... 2-52
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
Air Bag How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-23
How it Works
................................ 1-21
Location
............................... 1.21. 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1.21. 2.60
Servicing
................................... 1-25
System
..................................... 1-19
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-23
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-17
Air Conditioning
........................ 3.3.3.6. 3.9
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-69
Alarm. Instant
................................. 2- 12
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-46
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
............. 6-54
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player
with Automatic Tone Control
.................... 3-20
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player ........... 3-13
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic
Tonecontrol
................................. 3-16
Antenna Backglass
................................... 3-31
FixedMast .................................. 3-31 Antifreeze
..................................... 6-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2.63. 4.9
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.62. 4.7
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-25
Appearancecare
............................... 6-51
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-59
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-50
Astroroof
..................................... 2-53
Audio Controls, Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-28
Audio Equipment, Adding ........................ 3-29
Audio Systems
................................. 3-12
Audio Systems, Tips
............................ 3-29
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-33
Automatic
Headlamp Control
............................ 2-42
Overdrive
(a) .......................... 2-24, 2-25
Power Door Locks ............................. 2-7
Transaxlecheck .............................. 7-15
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-20
Transaxle Operation
........................... 2-22
Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check
........... 7-17
Using
....................................... 4-9
9-1
.
ProCarManuals.com