1997 BUICK REGAL instrument cluster

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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2-3 1
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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
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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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I I PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
I position to use when you start your engine because your
I I vehicle can’t move easilv.
-:
d
B I B I B!I BJ LI ------
km Irr Irr ,,r u ,,r,,,r TRIP
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
‘I
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
The above graphic is also displayed on your instrument
panel cluster.
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.
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.
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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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The LOW WASH light
on your instrument panel
cluster will glow when the
fluid level
is low.
Cruise Control (Option)
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
your vision. on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts
off.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
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Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
A. Lamp Controls
B. Instrument Cluster
C. Vents
D. Glove Box
E. Audio System
F. Climate Control
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Standard Cluster: United States Version Shown, Canadian Similar
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, about how much fuel
is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven
in either miles (used
in the United States) or in
kilometers (used in Canada).
Your Buick has a tamper-resistant odometer. If you see
ERROR, you’ll know someone has probably tampered
with it and the numbers may not be accurate.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs
a new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be
done. But if it can’t, then it will be set at zero and
a label
must be put
on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it.
To set it to zero, press the button on the
right side
of the instrument cluster.
Your triphelect reset switch will
go back and forth
between the odometer and the trip odometer if the button
is pressed and released within 1.5 seconds. If the button is
pressed and held for longer than
1.5 seconds while in the trip
odometer mode, it will be reset to zero. If the button
is pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in
the odometer mode, it will have no effect.
Tachometer
1
0
5 /
The tachometer displays
the engine speed
in
thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area, or engine damage may occur.
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Fuel Gage Low Fuel Light
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Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel
left, but
you should get more soon.
Here are some things owners ask about. All these
situations are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more
or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill it.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up. If
your fuel is low, a circular
light
on your instrument
panel cluster will come
on
and stay on and a chime will
sound periodically until you
add fuel. It will also come
on for a few seconds when
you first turn
on the ignition
as a check to show you it’s
working. If it doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed.
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