1997 BUICK REGAL Owners Manual

There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The
first is that the brake fluid
goes down
to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
1 CAUTIC
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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NOTICE:
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0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Buick has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
~~
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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Some driving conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts
in
the proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come
to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Buick has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
~ 6-31
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Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Bulb Replacement
In this section you’ll find directions for changing
the bulbs in some of the lamps on your Buick.
See
“Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to find the type
of bulb you should use.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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Headlamps
1. Pull up on the headlamp retainers to release the
2. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.
assembly locator tabs.
3. Lift the plastic locking tab on the
electrical
connector and pull the connector from the headlamp
bulb socket.
4. Connect the new headlamp assembly to the wiring
5. Insert the headlamp into the slots in the fascia.
6. Slide the retainers downward until they are fully seated.
Front Parking and Tbrn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist and pull the sidemarker lamp socket from the
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb from
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Put the socket back into the headlamp assembly and
turn it to the right until it is secure.
7. Replace the rubber bulb access cover.
harness, making sure
the connector tab snaps into place.
headlamp assembly.
the socket.
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Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-quarter of a turn
right
to left.
Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
Turn the bulb one-quarter
of a turn to the right
to replace.
Close the
trunk.
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TaiVStop/Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the three plastic wing nuts (A). (Pliers may
be required
to remove the wing nuts.)
A
B
2. Pull the taillamp housing away from the body of
the vehicle (B).
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Squeeze the tab on the socket and turn the
socket right to left.
Pull out the socket.
Pull
the bulb out of the socket. (There are two bulbs
on each taillamp.)
Push
in a new bulb.
Replace the socket into the housing and
turn to
the right.
Replace the taillamp housing to the body
of
the vehicle.
Install the wing nuts.
Tighten the plastic nuts.
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Trunk Lid Applique 1.
2.
A
B
3.
Open the trunk lid halfway.
Remove the wing nuts
(A) from the studs on
the applique. (There are eight wing nuts. Pliers may
be required to remove them.)
Remove
the applique from the trunk lid.
Then:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Install the new bulbs into the applique sockets (B).
Connect the applique to the lid.
Reconnect the wing nuts to the studs on
the applique
and hand-tighten.
Close the trunk lid.
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