1997 BUICK REGAL light

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use
it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t
let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. If your vehicle has a
built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the
harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint
system parts. If you see anything that might keep a
safety belt or built-in child restraint system from doing
its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or
frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces
just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not
protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or
frayed, get a new harness right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features 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.
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2-2 1
2-22
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2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-3 2
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 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 2-34
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1
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2-5 1
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2-52 2-5 3
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2-55
2-56 2-59
2-77 Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Lighter
Sun Visors
Accessory Outlet
Auxiliary Power Connection
Sunroof
Cellular Phone Provisions
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
lnstrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Driver Information Center
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Parking Lots Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick 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 Buick 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.
Parking at Night
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. 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? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like yow trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
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PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
TI is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
I1 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When
the PASS-Key I1 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter an\
d
fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter won’t
work and fuel won’t go to the engine.
If someone tries to
start your vehicle again or uses another key during this
time, the vehicle will
not start. This discourages someone
from randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets in an attempt to make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and
dry before it’s inserted
in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the engine does
not start and the
SECURITY light is flashing, the key
may be dirty or wet. Turn
the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again.
If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index). If
the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Buick dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
SECURITY light will come on. But you don’t have to
wait three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your Buick dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key I1 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it off.
Your PASS-Key
I1 system, however, is not working
properly and must be serviced by your Buick dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key
I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key IT ignition key, see
your Buick dealer or
a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made.
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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.
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
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.
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Performance Shifting (If Equipped)
Press the performance shift button to allow the
transaxle
to shift at higher
engine speeds, increasing
acceleration performance.
PERF
SHIFT
The PERF SHIFT light
on your instrument panel
cluster will glow when
performance shifting is
being used.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of accelerator
use while you’re
in the performance shift mode. Press the button again to return to normal shifting. The
transaxle will then shift at lower engine speeds,
increasing
fuel economy.
Shift Lock Release
P
1
If your vehicle’s battery should
vehicle electrical power, there is an access slot that will allow you
to override PARK (P) lock if
your shifter is stuck in PARK
(P).
I( go dead or there is a lack of
The access slot
is located beneath a small cap on the
right side of the console shift panel.
To remove the
cap, use a screwdriver or key. Then insert the key or screwdriver into the slot. Make sure you have your
foot on the brake pedal while you are performing this
procedure. Press down and hold.
You will now be able
to shift your vehicle out
of PARK (P).
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As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be
burned out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to
help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
A chime will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp HigWLow Beam
To change your headlamps
from low beams to high
beams, or high to low, pull
the multifunction lever all
the way toward you. Then
release it. When the high
beams are on, a light on the
instrument panel also will
be on.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal
the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you a little,
but not
so far that you hear a click.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high-beam headlamps will turn
on. They’ll stay on as
long as
you hold the lever toward you and the
high-beam indicator on the dash will come on. Release
the lever to turn
the high-beam headlamps off.
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Windshield Wipers
-!
..
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked
WIPER. For a single wiping cycle, turn the band
to
MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go.
The wipers will stop after one cycle.
If you want more
cycles, hold the band
on MIST longer. For steady wiping at low
speed, turn the band to
LO. For
high-speed wiping, turn the band further, to HI. To stop
the wipers, turn the band
to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The
closer to
LO, the shorter the delay.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them, If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen
or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers.
A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will
run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return
to your
preset speed. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index.
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