1998 BUICK REGAL Owners Manual

Trunk Lock Parking at Night
To unlock
the trunk from the outside, insert the door key
and turn it.
You can also press the car symbol on your
remote keyless entry transmitter.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle 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 vehicle 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.
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.
Parking Lots
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?
0
0
0
0
0
0
If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in
a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
2-15
ProCarManuals.com

PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key I1 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 and
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 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. The
SECURITY light will then come
on. But you don’t have
to wait three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your 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 dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
I1 ignition key, see
your dealer or
a locksmith who can service PASS-Key I1
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the Buick
Premium Roadside Assistance Center at
1-800-252-
1 112. In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800.
2-16
ProCarManuals.com

1 sw Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Positions
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
A L
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn tne
switch to five positions:
ACCESSORY
(A): The accessory position lets you use
the radio and windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
To use ACC, push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will stay locked.
2-17
ProCarManuals.com

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.
OF” (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel. 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
ACCESSORY 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.
2-18
ProCarManuals.com

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
I NOTICE:
~
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Buick is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
~ ~
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
I NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time
until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.
2-19
ProCarManuals.com

3. If your engine still won’t start (,or starts but then stops),
it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Tly
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there
as you hold the key in START for
about three seconds. If the vehicle
starts brkfly but
then stops again, do,the same thing, but this time keep
the pedal down for
five or six seconds. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine. After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the noma1 starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18” C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
2-20
ProCarManuals.com

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is attached to the underside
of the diagonal
brace located behind the air cleaner.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should
you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends
on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
) 1 will have a shift lever on the
console between the seats.
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.
2-22
ProCarManuals.com