1996 BUICK REGAL engine

A E
C
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): This position lets you use the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use
ACC (Accessory), push in the key and turn
it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in
LOCK. It’s also the only position
in which you can remove your key. This position locks your
ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s
a
theft-deterrent feature.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like LOCK. 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 ACC ,and
the key is in the ignition.
- .. - _- -
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
it is 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Buick is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 3.1 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition
key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding it there
as you hold the key in
START for up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
(Continued)
2-11
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE: (Continued)
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
lr
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try
to help avoid draining your battery.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), \
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there
as you hold the key in START for
about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep
the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the
extra gasoline from
the engine. After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
2-12
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather,
0°F (-1 8°C) or colder,
the engine coolant
heater can help. You’ll
get easier starting and
better fuel economy
during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged
in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater
I. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should
you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Buick dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the
steering column
or on the console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited
on automatic
transaxle vehicles when you’re
in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use
when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) 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, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always
set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

Make sure the shift lever is fully into PARK (P)
range before starting the engine. Your Buick has a
brake-transaxle shift interlock. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK
(P)
when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down. Release the shift lever button
if you have
a console shift. Then move the shift lever
out of
PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button if
you have a console shift. See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
I
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle,
see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) 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 PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
r
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
ProCarManuals.com

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use
your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECOND
(2) unless you are
going slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine. FIRST
(1): This
position gives you even more power
(but lower
fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever
is put in FIRST ( 1 ), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against
a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK
(P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
2-17
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into PARK (P)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) 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, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
Column Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot.
I-
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
ProCarManuals.com