2003 BUICK REGAL warning

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-6
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-54
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Sunroof
..................................................2-36
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-26
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-42
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-44Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-2
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
................. 5-8
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-56
Appearance Care
.....................................5-77
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-85
Electrical System
......................................5-86
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-92
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-93
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Index.................................................................1
2003 Buick Regal Owner ManualM
2003 - Regal Owner Manual

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You willfind a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.You will alsofind a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means“Don’t,”
“Don’t do this”or“Don’t let
this happen.”
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2003 - Regal OM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you willfind these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need helpfiguring out a specificnameofa
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
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Trunk Assist Handle
Your vehicle may have an
assist handle located on
the inside of the trunk
lid toward the driver’s side
of the vehicle.
Pull down on the handle to lower the trunk lid. Then
close the trunk with your other hand. If the trunk is not
properly closed, the DOOR/TRUNK ajar warning
light will appear in the message center of your
instrument panel cluster. SeeDoor/Trunk Ajar Warning
Light on page 3-40for more information.
Notice:The trunk assist handle is not designed to
be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk assist handle could damage it.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:The emergency trunk release handle is not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or
as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk.
Improper use of the emergency trunk release
handle could damage it.
Your vehicle may have a glow-in-the-dark emergency
trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the
latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light.
Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from
the inside.
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Theft-Deterrent Systems
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.
PASS-Key®II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key®II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®II is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert or
remove the key from the
ignition.
PASS-Key
®II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.When the PASS-Key
®II 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 warning
light on the instrument panel isflashing, 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. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-87. If the starter won’t work with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, thefirst ignition key may be faulty. See your
dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
®II.
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If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work. The
SECURITY warning light on the instrument panel 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
®II to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY warning light
comes on, you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®II system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
®II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
®II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®II to have a new key made. Also, see
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for more
information.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.”But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed—fast or
slow—for the first 500 miles (805 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
•Avoid making hard stops for the first 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.
•Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for more information.
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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the key
tofive different positions:
A (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use the radio
and windshield wipers when the engine is off. To
use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
B (LOCK):This is the only position in which you can
insert or remove the key. This position locks the ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent
feature.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.
Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool
to force it could break the key or the ignition switch.
If none of these works, then your vehicle needs
service.
C (OFF):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.
D (RUN):This position is where the key returns to after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you can
use RUN to display some of your warning and indicator
lights.
E (START):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.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), your power
windows and audio system will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF
and before any of the doors are opened.
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Notice:Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle. Use
THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X)as much
as possible. Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless
you are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you
can damage your engine.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift
intofirst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:If your front wheels won’t turn, don’t
try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle. Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right
foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your
left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
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