1997 BUICK REGAL brake

When you open the hood of the 3800 (Code 1) Supercharged Engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Remote Positive Battery Terminal
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
J. Air Cleaner
6-10
ProCarManuals.com

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
engine running.
in PARK
(P).
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transaxle fluid dipstick is the red
loop
located toward the rear of the engine.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then
pull it back out: again.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when
it’s very cold.
This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
e
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.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

1 Used Replacement Wheels
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire”
in the Index for more
information. Putting
a used wheel
on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your Buick has P225/60R16 size tires, don’t use
tire chains. They can damage your vehicle
because there’s not enough clearance.
NOTICE: (Continued)
6-46
ProCarManuals.com

Fuse
1
4
6
8
10
13
14 15
17
18
19
20
22
23
24 26
27 Description
Ignition
Key Solenoid
Ignition Signal
-- Hot in Run and
Start
-- PCM, BCM U/H Relay
Power Mirrors
Panel Dimming Ignition Signal
-- Hot in Run, Unlock and
Start
-- Cluster, Powertrain Control
Module, Body Control Module
DRL Module
Interior Lamps
Door Locks
Taillamps, License Lp
Radio Heated Mirror
Cruise Control
Clusters
Cigarette Lighter
-- Auxiliary Power
Connection, Data Link
Stoplamps
Parklamps, Fog Lamps
Auxiliary Power Connection
-- Hot in
ACC and Run
Fuse
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Description
Crank Signal -- Body Control Module,
Cluster, Powertrain Control Modules
Ignition Signal
-- HVAC Control Head
Shifter Lock Solenoid
Air Bag
Anti-lock Brake Controls, Body Control
Module
Hazard Flashers
Driver’s Heated Seat
Ignition Signal
-- Hot in ACC and
Run
-- Body Control Module
Anti-lock Brake Solenoids
Low Blower
Anti-lock Brakes
Turn Signals, Cornering Lamps
Radio, HVAC head, Keyless En
CEL
TEL
High Blower
Passenger’s Heated Seat
Steering Wheel Controls
Wipers ltry,
Clus
; ter,
6-60
ProCarManuals.com