2003 BUICK REGAL mirror

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving”those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.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.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the
brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores
steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-16
2003 - Regal OM

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired—by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and
rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
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2003 - Regal OM

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth trafficow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with theow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
trafficow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in
your“blind”spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
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2003 - Regal OM

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as“highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road inless than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving inat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check alluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
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2003 - Regal OM

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-39
2003 - Regal OM

Circuit
BreakersUsage
REAR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
POWER
SEATSPower Seats
Blank Not Used
Fuses Usage
PARK LOCK Ignition Key Solenoid
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
PCM, BCM,
U/H RELAYIgnition Signal: Hot in Run and Start,
Powertrain Control Module, Body
Control Module, Underhood Relay
RADIO PREM.
SOUNDRemote Radio Premium Sound
POWER
MIRRORSPower Mirrors
Blank Not Used
PANEL
DIMMINGPanel Dimming
Fuses Usage
Blank Not Used
IGN 0,
CLUSTER,
PCM, BCMIgnition Signal: Hot in Run, Unlock
and Start, Cluster, Powertrain
Control Module, Body Control
Module
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
INADV POWER
BUSInterior Lamps
DOOR LOCKS Door Locks
TRAP ALERT Trap Alert™
TAIL LAMPS,
LIC LAMPSTaillamps, License Lamps
RADIO Radio
HEATED
MIRRORNot Used
CRUISE Cruise Control
Blank Not Used
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2003 - Regal OM

Underhood Fuse Block
Some fuses and relays are located in the underhood
fuse block on the passenger’s side of the vehicle in the
engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10or more information on location.
Fuses Usage
1 Anti-Lock Brake System
2 Starter Solenoid
3Power Seats, Rear Window
Defogger Heated Seats
4High Blower, Hazard Flasher,
Stoplamps, Power Mirror, Door
Locks
5Ignition Switch, BTSI, Stoplamps,
Anti-Lock Brake System, Turn
Signals, Cluster, Air Bag, Daytime
Running Lamps Module
6 Cooling Fan
7Retained Accessory Power, Keyless
Entry, Data Link, Heating Ventilation
Air Conditioning Head, Cluster,
Radio, Auxiliary Power (Power
Drop), Cigarette Lighter
8Ignition Switch, Wipers, Radio,
Steering Wheel Controls, Body
Control Module, Auxiliary Power
(Power Drop), Power Windows,
Sunroof, Heating Ventilation Air
Conditioning Controls, Daytime
Running Lamps, Rear Window
Defogger Relay
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2003 - Regal OM

L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-10
Interior.......................................................3-13
Lap Belt........................................................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-40
Leather.........................................................5-79
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-26
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-32
Brake System Warning.................................3-31
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-31
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-34
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Low Oil Level.............................................3-39Light (cont.)
Low Traction...............................................3-33
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-40
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-29
Security.....................................................3-40
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-41
TCS Warning Light......................................3-33
Tire Pressure..............................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-33
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-15
Loading Your Vehicle
.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection
..........................................2-11
Locks
Door
........................................................... 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................2-11
Lockout Protection
.......................................2-11
Power Door
................................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.............2-10
Loss of Control
...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light
...................................3-42
Low Traction Light
..........................................3-33
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.......................3-40
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2003 - Regal OM