1998 BUICK REGAL traction control

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed.
While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can
lose control.
What should
you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want
to go slower.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped
in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking
in
Emergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left
or
right depending on the space available.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road.
For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It
is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason
is that some dlivers are likely to be impaired -- by
alcohol or
dugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
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0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use
on your vehicle.
A CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
I
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger
car tires.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available
on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria
(TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
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Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light ................... 2-75
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-76
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 1 1
Driver Selectable Shifting ........................ 2-26
Driving City
........................................ 4-22
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-29
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
Night
...................................... 4-17
OnCurves
.................................. 4-12
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-39
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-25
On Snow
or Ice .............................. 4-28
Through Deep Standing Water
................... 4-21
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Dual Automatic ComforTemp Climate Control
......... 3-7
Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
.................. 3-4
Electrical Equipment, Adding
..... 2-20. 2-52. 3-29, 6-61
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-47
Engine
.................................. 6-10, 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-23
Electrical
System
............................... 6-61 Coolant
Heater
............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-14
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-67
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-67
Exhaust
..................................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-60
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-14
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-68
Starting Your
................................ 2-19
Adding ..................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6-13
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-16
Supercharger
................................ 6-19
Used
....................................... 6-17
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-15
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Enhanced Traction System
........................ 4-11
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
............. 2-66
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........... 2-65
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31
Exterior Lamps ................................. 2-41
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-50
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-6
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-17
Filter. Engine Oil
............................... 6-16
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Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-18
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7- 18
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7- 18
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-18
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7- 18
Steering
.................................... 7-18
Suspension
.................................. 7-18
Throttle System
.............................. 7-1 8
InstrumentPanel ............................... 2-55
Cleaning .................................... 6-51
Cluster
................................ 2-56. 2-57
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-62
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
........... 5.26.5.28.5.30.5.31.5.32. 5.33
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-15
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-15
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-32
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-3 1
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58 Lamps
Cornering
................................... 2-44
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-46
Fog
........................................ 2-44
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Reading. Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-46
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-29
Lighter
....................................... 2-50
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-21, 2-60
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2-63, 4-9
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-62, 4-7
BrakeSystemWarning
......................... 2-61
Charging System
............................. 2-60
Cruise
...................................... 2-74
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning
...................... 2-75
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
............... 2-67
ChangeOilSoon
............................. 2-73
Enhanced Traction System Active
................ 2-66
Enhanced Traction System Warning
.............. 2-65 .
Interior ..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.68, 6.26
LowFuel
................................... 2-75
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2.72, 6.12
LowTire
.................................... 2-68
Low Traction
................................ 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning
................ 2.37, 2.74
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Oilwarning ................................. 2-71
Performance Shift
....................... 2.26. 2.74
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.7. 2.59
Security
.................................... 2-73
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-69
Service Vehicle Soon .......................... 2-74
Traction Control System Active
.................. 2-65
Traction Control System Warning
................ 2-64
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-31
Locks
Cylinders
................................... 7-15
DelayedLocking
.............................. 2-8
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Check
....................... 7-17
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7- 15
Lockout Protection Feature
...................... 2-5
ManualDoor
................................. 2-4
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear-Door Child Security
....................... 2-6
Trunk
...................................... 2-15
Window
.................................... 2-33
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2.68. 6.26
LowFuelLight
................................ 2-75
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2.72. 6.12
Low Tire Light
................................. 2-68
Low Traction Light
............................. 2-66
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
............. 2.37. 2-74
Low-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-19
Programmable Automatic
Power Door
............. 2-7 Lubrication Service.
Body
........................ 7- 15
Magnetic Variable Effort Steering
................ 4-12
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
............ 6-69
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-20
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-5
How it’s Organized ............................ 7-3
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-14
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................ 7-2
Maintenance Schedule. Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants
.......................... 7-19
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-18
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Manual Door Locks
........................
Front Seat ...................
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
Methanol
.....................
Mirrors .......................
Convex Outside ..............
Electrochromic Daymight ......
Inside Daymight Rearview .....
Power Outside Foldaway .......
Visor Vanity .................
MMT ........................
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.......... 2-4
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.... 1-2
.... 3-2
.... 6-5
... 2-47
... 2-48
... 2-47
... 2-47
... 2-48
... 2-51
.... 6-4
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Stains. Cleaning ................................ 6-52
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-16
Starting Your Engine ............................ 2- 19
Steam
........................................ 5-15
Steering in Emergencies
............................... 4- 13
Magnetic Variable Effort ” ..................... 4- 12
Power ...................................... 4-12
TILT-WHEEL”
.............................. 2-34
Tips
........................................ 4-12
Steering Wheel Touch Controls. Audio
.............. 3-28
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-49
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-33
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
.................. 5-38
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-51
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Synchronization. Remote Keyless Entry ............. 2- 14
Tachometer .................................. 2-58
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement ....... 6-39
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-30
Temperature Control
..................... 3.2.3-5. 3-7
Theft
......................................... 2-15
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.......................... 3-25
Theft-Deterrent System
.......................... 2- 16
Thermostat
.................................... 6-27
Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Time. Setting the
............................... 3- 12
THEFTLOCK TM ................................ 3-25
TILT-WHEELTM Adjustable Steering Column
........ 2-34 Tire Pressure Monitor System
..................... 6-44
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-31
Tires
......................................... 6-42
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-49
BuyingNew
................................. 6-47
Chains
..................................... 6-50
Changing
a Flat .............................. 5-26
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Compact Spare
............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-43
Inflation Check
............................... 7-14
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-45
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-40
Storing the Flat
............................... 5-35
Storing the Spare ............................. 5-36
Temperature
................................. 6-49
Traction
.................................... 6-48
Treadwear
................................... 6-48
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-48
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-46
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-49
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-46
TopStrap
..................................... 1-56
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel Nut
......................... 5-34. 6.43
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction Control System (3800 Supercharged Engine) ... 4-9
Traction Control System Active Light
............... 2-65
Traction Control System Warning Light
............. 2-64
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