1998 BUICK REGAL suspension

A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before
it is transported,
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
in OFF. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be
in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
NOTICE:
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive
wheels, unless you must,
If the vehicle must be
towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle
more than
500 cumulative miles (800 km) or
exceed
50 mph (80 km/h). Cumulative miles are
defined
as total miles over the life of the vehicle.
For example, your vehicle cannot be towed
500 miles (800 km) each day of a trip totaling
3,000 miles (4800 km). If these limitations must
be exceeded, then the drive wheels have to be
supported on
a dolly.
5-10
ProCarManuals.com

Front Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps. Use the T-slots for
car-carrier securing.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in
the T-hook slots.
5-11
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Towing
INOTICE:
Using a towing dolly for your drive wheels is
recommended if your vehicle is towed more
than
500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceeds
50 mph (80 km/h).
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper valance will be damaged.
Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps. Use the T-slots for
car-carrier securing.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment.
To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-nooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment.
Always use T-hooks inserted in
T-hooks slots.
5-13
ProCarManuals.com

4. Connect the new headlamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
5. Insert the headlamp into the slots in the fascia.
6. Slide the retainers downward until they are
fully seated.
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a modular headlamp system. These
headlamps have horizontal and vertical aim indicators.
The aim has been optically pre-set at the factory and
should need
no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlamp aim seems to be affected,
see your dealer.
Headlamps on damaged vehicles may require
recalibration of the vertical and horizontal aim by
your dealer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Place the vehicle on a level pad or surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming
is being done.
There should not be any cargo
or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank
of gas and
one person or
160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Close all doors.
Tires should be properly inflated.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.
I I
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
6-35
ProCarManuals.com

n
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7- 14 7- 14
7- 14
7- 15
7- 15
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Envlronment
How This Section
is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Servlces
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Fill
At Least Once a Month
At Least Twice a Year
At Least Once a Year
7-18
7- 18
7-18
7-18
7-18 7-18
7-19
7-20 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Exhaust System Inspection
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Throttle System Inspection
Brake System Inspection
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-1
ProCarManuals.com

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall).
You should let your dealer’s service department
or other qualij?ed service center do these jobs. Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in
a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
connections or other conditions which could cause a heat build-up
in the floor pan
or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed. Replace
any components that have high effort or excessive wear.
Do
not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions
result in frequent braking.
7-18
ProCarManuals.com

1998 BUCK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT
PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 BUICK
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service informarlon needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL
TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $1
5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-6
ProCarManuals.com