wheel BUICK RIVIERA 1993 Owners Manual

When the bike hits the block, it stops. But the child
keeps going! Take the
simplest “vehicle.” Suppose it’s just a seat on
wheels.
21

-T
A C UTION:
A
0 Don’t attach anything to the steer J
wheel pad. It mi -It injure the driver if 1
air bag inflates.
The air bag is designed to inflate only
once. After
it inflates, 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 the air
bag module and possibly other parts. The
service manual has information about the
need to replace other parts.
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.
Servicing Your Buick with the Air Bag
System
Please tell or remind anyone who works on your Buick
that it has the air bag system. 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. The air bag system does not
need regular maintenance. Your Buick dealer and the
1993 Riviera Service Manual have information about
the air bag system, including repair or disposal.
A CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes a1 r the ignition key is
turned off and the battery 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. Be sure to follow the proper
I service procedures.
When electrical work is done under the hood or inside
your vehicle, the ignition should be in “Lock” if
possible.

@) Part 2 Features & Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your Buick. and information on starting. shifting
and braking
. 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 .
Part 2 includes:
Keys
........................................................................\
....
DoorLocks ....................................................................... \
NewVehicleBreak-In ..............................................................
StartingtheEngine .................................................................
ShiftingtheTransaxle ..............................................................
Windows ........................................................................\
.
TiltSteeringWheel ................................................................
Multi-FunctionLever ...............................................................
TurnandLaneChangeSignals ...................................................
Headlight High-Low Beam Changer ..............................................
Windshield Wipermasher ......................................................
CruiseControl ................................................................
Instrumentpanel ...................................................................
Speedometer and Odometer ......................................................
Warning Lights and Gages ......................................................
60
61
70
72
75 84
84
85
85 87
87
90
105
105
107
c 59

Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the batteries in your key chain
transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the batteries are weak if the transmitter
won't work at the normal range in any location. If you
have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter
works, it's probably time to change the batteries.
To replace the battery, insert the round end of the door
lock key into the slot of the access door on the back
of
the transmitter. Turn the door one-sixteenth of a turn to
the left, and'lift it out
of the transmitter. Remove the
battery and replace it with a Sanyo
CR2025 or
equivalent. It is important to use the correct size battery.
Using the wrong battery may damage the transmitter.
Make sure you install the battery as the direction under
the cover indicates.
To put the cover back on, line up the
notches and turn to the right.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your hick 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 walk away from 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 Buick and open the driver's door, you'll hear a tone 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.
66

Starting Your Engine The other positions let you perform these functions:
ACC: Accessory lets you use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use
Acc, push
in the key and turn it toward you. Your
steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turri the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like “Lock.” Use “Off’ if you must have your car
in motion while the engine is off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This key position starts your engine. Move your shift lever
to “P,’ (Park) or “N’ (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature, To restart when you’re already moving,
use
“N” (Neutral) only.
1. Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine.
In some other vehicles you might need to do
this, but because of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
3. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start”
for about three seconds at a time until your engine
2. Turn your ignition key to “Start.” When the engine
72

Automatic- Transaxle
There are SL . dral different positions for your shift lever.
0 P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
A CAU ION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, when you’re on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to “P” (Park).
See “Shifting Into “P” (Park)”
in the Index. If
you are parking on a hill, also see “Parking on
Hills” in the Index.
L
Ensure the shift lever is fully in “P’ (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brake.s before you can shift from
“P’ (Park) when the
ignition key is in the “Run” position. If you cannot shift
out of
“P’ (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all the way into “P” (Park) and also
release the shift lever button on floor shift console models as you maintain brake application. Then move
75

the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever
on floor shift
console models.) See “Shifting Out
of ‘P’ (Park)’? in this
section.
0 R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
76
I
A CAUTION:
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only. Also, use “N’ when your vehicle
is being towed.
Shifl J out of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of “P” (Park) or “N”
(Neutral) while your engine is racing.
I

1 (First Gear) Parking Brake
This position gives you even more power (but lower
fuel economy) than
“2.” You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is
put in
“1,” the transaxle won’t shift into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
The parking brakes uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot.
Push down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.

To release the parking
brake:
I
Hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the brake
release lever.
Shifting Into 66 P S? (Park)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the
steps that follow. If you are parking on a
hill,
also see “Parking On Hills” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park) position like
set the parking brake.
this:
If YOU are on a hill: See “ Parking on Hills” in the Index.
That section show$ how to turn your front wheels.
79

Power Windows
To lower the window, pull back on the switch. The
window will lower as long as the switch is held. To raise
the window, push the switch forward.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the pad with the horn symbol
on either side of the steering wheel.
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to
a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
OA