steering wheel BUICK REGAL 1998 Owners Manual

There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which
shows the air
bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air
Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag System Works
.-. .
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
1-21
ProCarManuals.com

1
The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
A CAUTION:
I
If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an
air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or
on or near any other air
bag covering.
ProCarManuals.com

When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed
to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in
a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping
the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded
as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.
ProCarManuals.com

What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
bag
-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but not
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
/! CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so.
If’ you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
0
0
0
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system, when
the sensors
are activated and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
1-24
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the
air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined.
If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even
if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air
bags as well as the sensors and related
parts.
If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
the battery cables
are first disconnected.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the Regal Service Manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure
to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you
is qualified
to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-25
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and bralung. 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- 14
2- 15
2- 16
2- 17
2-1 7
2- 19
2-20
2-22
2-27
2-28
2-30
2-3 1
2-3 1
2-32
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 (If Equipped)
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 2-33
2-34
2-34
2-4 1
2-44
2-47
2-49
2-5 1
2-52
2-53
2-53
2-54
2-54
2-55
2-56
2-59
2-76 Horn
TILT-WHEEL
TM Adjustable Steering Column
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Accessory Power Receptacle
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
Astroroof
Cellular Phone Readiness Package
(If Equipped)
OnStar System (Option)
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Driver Information Center
2-1
ProCarManuals.com

Trunk Lock Parking at Night
To unlock
the trunk from the outside, insert the door key
and turn it.
You can also press the car symbol on your
remote keyless entry transmitter.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can
make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways
you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always
do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out
of sight.
Put them
in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?
0
0
0
0
0
0
If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in
a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
2-15
ProCarManuals.com

1 sw Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Positions
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
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.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
A L
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn tne
switch to five positions:
ACCESSORY
(A): The accessory position lets you use
the radio and windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
To use ACC, push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will stay locked.
2-17
ProCarManuals.com

LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in
LOCK. It’s also the only position
from which
you can remove your key. This position
locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s a
theft-deterrent feature.
OF” (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel. Use
OFF if you must have your vehicle pushed
or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use
RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in
OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition.
‘ NOTICE:
~
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn
it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
In case you cannot remove your key from the ignition,
find the access slot which is located underneath the
steering column below the lock cylinder.
To use this slot, remove the trim cap. Insert a key or
screwdriver into the access slot and rotate the lock
cylinder. You will now be able to remove your key from
the ignition. Be sure to replace the trim cap after use.
2-18
ProCarManuals.com

Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger’s door has a switch for its own window. The driver’s
window switch has
an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch, and the driver’s window will open
a small
amount.
If the rear of the switch is pressed all the way
down, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front
of the switch.
The driver’s window controls also include a lock-out
switch. Press
LOCK to stop front and rear passengers
from using their window switches. The driver can still
control all the windows with the lock on. Press the other
side of the
LOCK button for normal window operation.
Horn
Press anywhere near the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com