2003 BUICK REGAL ignition key

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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2003 - Regal OM

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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2003 - Regal OM

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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2003 - Regal OM

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position–that’sa
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off 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.
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. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, hold your key in
START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could beflooded with too much gasoline.
Try 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
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
This time keep the pedal down forfive or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
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.
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2003 - Regal OM

Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-35. That section shows what
to dofirst to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you’re pulling a
trailer, see“Towing a Trailer”in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot.2. Move the shift lever
into PARK (P) by
holding in the button
on the lever and
then pushing the lever
all the way toward
the front of your
vehicle. Then turn
the ignition key
to LOCK.
3. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control
system. You must fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P).
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehiclefixed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release
Your vehicle is equipped with a shift lock release
system. It is designed to prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in PARK (P) (with the shift lever
button fully released).It also prevents the shift lever from moving out of
PARK (P) when the ignition is in OFF or in LOCK. The
shift lock release system is always functional except
in the case of a dead or low voltage (less than
9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there are two override access slots that will
allow you to override the shift lock release system.
Thefirst access slot is located underneath the steering
column below the lock cylinder. To use this slot, do
the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P) with the
shift lever button released.
2. Remove the override access slot cap, which will
then show the override mechanism release
button.
3. Insert a key or tool into the access slot and then
press in and hold the override mechanism release
button.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
6. Put the override access slot cap back on.
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2003 - Regal OM

You will not be able to remove your key from the
ignition unless the shift lever is in PARK (P) with the
shift lever button fully released.
The second override
access slot is located on
the upper right side of
the console shift panel.
To use this slot, do the following:
1. Remove the override access slot cap.
2. Insert a key or tool into the access slot, press in
and hold the override mechanism release button.
3. Move the shift lever into the desired gear position.
4. Put the override access slot cap back on.Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
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2003 - Regal OM

To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it’s
dark outside, move the exterior lamp control to the
parking lamp position. Your parking lamps will remain
illuminated and your headlamps will turn off. The
fog lamps will also be lit if they were on when you
switched to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Delayed Headlamps
Delayed headlamps illumination provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave your vehicle. The feature is
activated when your vehicle’s headlamps are on due
to the automatic headlamp control feature described
previously in this section, and when your vehicle’s
ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then remain
on until the exterior lamps control is moved from OFF to
the parking lamp position or until a 90 second lighting
period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamps control
in the parking lamp or headlamps position, the delayed
headlamps illumination cycle will not occur.
You can customize the vehicle to activate delayed
headlamps illumination when your vehicle’s ignition is
turned off under the conditions described above, or you
may choose not to activate this feature under any
conditions.You can turn the feature on and off when you perform
the following sequence:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch, cycle the exterior
lamps control on and then off two times.
4. Release the power door lock switch. These
operations must be carried out in a time period of
less than 10 seconds, followed by a delay period of
no more than 10 seconds.
5. Then, press and hold the power door unlock switch.
While holding the door unlock switch, turn the
exterior lamps control on and then off two times.
Release the power door unlock switch.
6. Release the power door unlock switch. These steps
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds.
After releasing the power door unlock switch, a single
chime will be heard if the delayed headlamp illumination
function has been disabled; two chimes will be heard
if the feature has been enabled. Disconnecting the
vehicle’s battery for up to a year will not change
the programmed operation for this feature.
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2003 - Regal OM