1997 BUICK REGAL run flat

Supplement to the 1997 Buick Regal and Century Owner’s Manuals
This is a correction to information found on page 6-40 (Regal only) and page 6-38 (Century only).
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the inside of the trunk lid shows the correct inflation
pressures for pur tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
This is a correction to information found
on page 6-63 (Regal only).
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
97REGWENOOl
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The 1997 Buick Regal Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “air bag” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on page
8-8.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
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Pass-through Trunk (If Equipped) Convenience Net (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature,
you may access your
trunk by pulling down the center back seat cushion--this
gives
you access to the pass-through door. The door can
only be unlocked using your door key. Once this door
is
unlocked, you will then have access to the trunk area.
To access
the rear cupholders, once again, pull down on
the cloth strap located toward the top
of your center
back seat cushion. You will then have access to the dual
oversized cupholders. Your
vehicle may have
a convenience net. You’ll see it
on the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind
the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store those in the
trunk
as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when
you’re
not using it.
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do
it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSIlKPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT,
ADD 4PSIi28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
FOR ADDITIONAL
, INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
is inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number
of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes
the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
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A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label (found inside the trunk
lid) or see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. Then be
sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0 The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only
a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide’’ in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
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Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to 100 lb-ft
(140 Nom).
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I NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don’t try to put the wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover
in the trunk until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
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Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
Stc ng a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need to store the flat tire
in your trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
When storing a full-size tire
you must use the extension
with the protector/guide to help avoid wheel surface
damage. Use
the extension and protector/guide located
in the foam holder.
To store a full-size tire, place the tire
valve stem facing down and then remove the
protector/guide and attach the retainer securely. When reinstalling
a compact spare tire, put the
protector/guide back in the foam holder. Store the cover
as far forward as possible.
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Back-up Lamp
The back-up lamps are located in the trunk lid applique.
(Refer
to the trunk lid applique removal procedure earlier
in this section for graphic and further instructions.)
1. Remove the trunk lid applique.
2. Twist and pull the back-up lamp socket from the
3. Twist and pull the bulb from the back-up
trunk
lid applique.
lamp socket.
Dome Lamp
To install the new bulb:
1. Twist and push the bulb into the back-up
lamp socket.
2. Twist and push the back-up lamp socket into
the trunk lid applique.
3. Reinstall the trunk lid applique.
1. Grasp the front center and rear center positions of the
dome lamp housing and squeeze together until the
housing releases from
the base plate. A flat-bladed
screwdriver may be necessary to pry the
assembly loose.
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