tires BUICK REGAL 2003 Owner's Guide

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/60R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you dond traction devices that willt,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/60R16 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
″S″type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to“blowout”while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a“blowout”, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, theflat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheelfirmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop—well off the road if possible.
If a tire goesflat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change aflat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goesflat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warningflashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brakermly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t
move, you can put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.
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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 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you canfinish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. You must
calibrate the tire inflation monitor system after installing
or removing the compact spare. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-58. The system may not work
correctly when the compact spare is installed on the
vehicle. 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’tfit. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains won’tt your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your compact spare.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst intoflames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to clean
your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
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Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but
avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:When applying a tire dressing, always take
care to wipe off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage the
paintnish and tires.
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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.
@Whenever the tires are rotated, the Tire Ination
Monitor System must be reset.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-15.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the
GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil andfilter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil andfilter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change. After the services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
on the maintenance record pages in Part E of this
schedule.
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7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter. If necessary, replace
thefilter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectfilter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace passenger compartment airfilter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thefilter
may require replacement more often.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Replace passenger compartment airfilter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thefilter
may require replacement more often.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerfilter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occursfirst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote†.)
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
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45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter. If necessary, replace
thefilter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectfilter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace passenger compartment airfilter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thefilter
may require replacement more often.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxlefluid andfilter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
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, change theuid andlter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter
may require replacement more often.
❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
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75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter. If necessary, replace
thelter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectlter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace passenger compartment airlter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thelter
may require replacement more often.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Replace passenger compartment airlter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thelter
may require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occursrst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever anyuids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuelll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washeruid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the properuid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-56for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-44for further details.
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B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-59
Backing Up....................................................4-39
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-11
Brake
Parking......................................................2-24
System Inspection.......................................6-15
System Warning Light..................................3-31
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-54
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-52
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-48
Headlamps.................................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-61
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada–Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications............................5-92
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-35, 2-12, 2-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-80
Your Cassette Tape Player
............................3-58
Your CD Player
...........................................3-59
Your CDs
...................................................3-59
Cassette Tape Messages
.........................3-49, 3-52
Cassette Tape Player Service
...........................6-10
Center Console Storage Area
...........................2-35
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