instrument panel BUICK REGAL 1998 Owner's Manual

Driver Information Center (Option)
- PSI kPa
INST- - -MPG %
AVGnm D 1
OIL u "b! L/100 km
LIFERANGE SC BOOST
3.8L L67 Supercharged Engine
INST- - -MPG %
OIL ),I umb! L/100 km
AVG in nl )'I(
LIFERANGE
3.8L L36 Engine
Your Driver Information Center, (DIC) located below
the tachometer on the instrument panel cluster, gives
you important safety and maintenance facts. When
you
turn the ignition on, the entire center lights up for just a
few seconds.
2-76
ProCarManuals.com

Control Buttons
I
RESET
The driver information center has three buttons that
control its functions.
EM, RESET AND MODE: The EnglishMetric, reset
and mode buttons
for the driver information center are
located
to the left of the steering wheel, just below the
instrument panel cluster.
EM: Press this button to change the display from
English to metric units
or metric to English.
RESET Press this button for one second to reset the
mode displayed
MODE: Press this button to change the mode
being displayed.
2-77
ProCarManuals.com

Comfort Controls
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
[OD I COMFORT CONTROL
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The left knob selects the amount of air you want. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan knob is
turned to the highest setting, regardless
of the mode
setting, your passenger compartment
air filter may need
to be replaced. See “Maintenance Schedule” the Index.
~~~
Temperature Knob
The center knob changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn this knob toward red
(to the right) for warmer air. Turn it toward blue (to the
left) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction of airflow:
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel
outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in
this setting unless the outside
temperature is below
40°F (4°C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
NORM: This setting brings in outside air and sends it
through the instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this
setting unless the outside temperature is below
40°F
(4°C). (Even when the compressor is running, you can
control the temperature.)
BI-LEV: This setting brings in outside air and directs it
two ways. Half of the air is directed through the
instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost
3-2
ProCarManuals.com

and side window vents. The air conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below
40°F (4°C).
VENT This setting brings in outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.
HTR: This setting sends most of the air through the
ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the defroster
and side window vents.
BLEND: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window
vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below
40°F (4°C).
FRONT This setting directs most of the air
through the defroster and side window vents. Some of
the air also goes to the floor ducts. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this setting unless
the outside temperature is below
40°F (4" C).
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For a quick cool-down
on very hot days, use MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area. If this
setting
is used for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use
NORM with the
temperature knob in the blue area. The system will bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use
BI-LEV and set the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting. The system will bring in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than others.
3-3
ProCarManuals.com

Driver’s Temperature Knob
The center knob sets the temperature for the driver’s
outlets. Turn the knob toward red (to the right) for
warmer air. Turn it toward blue (to the left) for
cooler air.
Passenger’s Temperature Lever
The bottom lever adjusts the air temperature on the
passenger’s side independent of the temperature set by
the driver. Slide the lever toward the right to raise the
temperature. Slide the lever toward the left to lower
the temperature.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction of airflow. To access the various modes
available, turn the mode button to the desired mode.
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends
it through the instrument panel
outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40°F (4°C). (Even when the
compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
NORM: This setting brings in outside air and sends
it through the instrument panel outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in this
setting unless the outside temperature is below 40°F
(4°C). (Even when the compressor
is running, you can
control the temperature.)
BI-LEV: This setting brings in outside air and directs it
two ways. Half of the air is directed through the
instrument panel outlets. Most of
the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents. The air conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature
is below 40°F (4°C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
VENT: This setting brings in outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.
HTR: This setting sends most of the air through the
ducts near the floor. The rest comes out
of the defroster
and side window vents.
BLEND: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window
vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40°F (4°C). (Even when the
compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
3-5
ProCarManuals.com

Passenger’s Temperature Control
The PASSENGER CONTROL buttons with the arrows
adjust the temperature on the passenger’s side
so it is
warmer or cooler than the temperature set by the driver.
Push the
DUAL button so that the indicator light is lit.
Press the right arrow button to raise the temperature.
Press the left arrow button to lower the temperature. The
display will not show the passenger’s temperature, only
that
of the driver. Indicators in the passenger control
section will show passenger temperature relative to the
driver’s set temperature.
0 The amber light indicates the same temperature as
set for the driver.
The red lights indicate a warmer temperature than
that of the driver.
Manual Control
If you prefer to manually control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle, you can select airflow
direction, fan speed, outside or recirculated air and air
compressor operation with the following buttons:
AIR FLOW: This control has several settings to control
the direction of airflow when the system is not
in AUTO.
To access the various modes available, continue to press
the AIR
FLOW rocker button up and down until the
desired mode appears in the display:
0
0
0 The blue lights indicate a cooler temperature than
that of the driver.
0
0
WINDSHIELDD’LOOR: This setting directs half
of the air to the floor ducts and half to the defroster
and side window vents.
MIDD’LOOR: This setting directs half of the air
through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the
remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defroster and side window vents.
MID: This setting directs air through the instrument
panel outlets.
FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air through
the ducts near the floor.
The rest comes out of the
defroster and side window vents.
3-8
ProCarManuals.com

Making Thns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer
to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Buick dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes
or stop.
When towing
a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don‘t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com

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
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.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-15
ProCarManuals.com

I
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
e
e
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
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 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 9
1 or higher octane unleaded gasoline and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
6-3
ProCarManuals.com

At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications ASTM
D4814 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.
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.
6-4
ProCarManuals.com