2003 BUICK REGAL trailer

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overow tube on the radiatorller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-10for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You willfind a coolant temperature gage and a hot
engine warning light on your instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-34
andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 3-34.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The overheated engine protection operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition
exists, this mode, which alternatesfiring groups of
cylinders, helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheated engine condition exists. Driving extended
miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheated
engine protection operating mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See“Engine Oil”in the
Index.
5-25
2003 - Regal OM

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-34.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”listed
previously in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-27
2003 - Regal OM

45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter. If necessary, replace
thefilter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspectfilter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote†.)
❑Replace passenger compartment airfilter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, thefilter
may require replacement more often.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxlefluid andfilter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change theuid andlter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Replace passenger compartment air lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter
may require replacement more often.
❑For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs rst). SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-59for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
6-7
2003 - Regal OM

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxleuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxleuid, change both
theuid andlter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-22for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-9
2003 - Regal OM

Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-11
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-10
D
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-11
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-19, 3-23
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-14
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-14
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-12
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-6
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature.................3-56
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-32
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-15
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-9
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Trunk Ajar Warning Light..............................3-40
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-42
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City ...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-40
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-39
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
.............3-20
Dual Climate Control System
............................3-17
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2003 - Regal OM

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-87
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-86
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-86
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-37
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-42
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-34
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-34
Cooling System Inspection............................6-15
Exhaust
.....................................................2-29
Oil
.............................................................5-13
Overheating
................................................5-25
Starting
......................................................2-19
Supercharger Oil
.........................................5-18
Engine Coolant Level Check
.............................6-10Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-41
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
Entry Lighting.................................................3-13
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-10
F
Fabric/Carpet.................................................5-78
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-46, 3-50
Finish Care....................................................5-81
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-66
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-66
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM ...............................................................3-57
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-13
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-39
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
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2003 - Regal OM

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-21
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-57
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-18
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-36
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-37
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
.....................4-36
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
...........................4-28
Ignition Positions
.............................................2-18
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
..........................6-13
Illumination on Remote Activation
........................ 2-7
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
...............1-29
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
..................................5-57Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System................................6-15
Exhaust System..........................................6-14
Fuel System...............................................6-15
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-14
Throttle System...........................................6-15
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-27
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-13
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-87
Interior Lamps................................................3-13
Interior Plastic Components..............................5-80
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
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2003 - Regal OM

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-93
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-15
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
PartD-Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-16
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-14
Throttle System Inspection............................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-41
Making Turns.................................................4-39
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-35
Manual Operation...................................3-17, 3-21
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands)–Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-32
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.......2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-33
Modes...........................................................3-44
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-93
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2003 - Regal OM