2003 BUICK REGAL Owner's Manual

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’sfinish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold
water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle
well, removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
SeeGM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page 5-84.Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based, or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning
agents should beflushed promptly and not allowed
to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry thefinish
with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under“Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paintfinish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. SeeGM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-84.
If your vehicle has a“basecoat/clearcoat”paintfinish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paintnish may
dull thenish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’sfinish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paintfinish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
5-81
2003 - Regal OM

Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but
avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:When applying a tire dressing, always take
care to wipe off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage the
paintnish and tires.
5-82
2003 - Regal OM

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal
will corrode quickly and may develop into major repair
expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer. Larger areas of
finish damage can be corrected in your dealer’s
body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,floor pan
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.At least every spring,flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before beingflushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occursfirst.
5-83
2003 - Regal OM

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials
See your GM dealer for more information on purchasing
the following products.
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
Description Usage
Polishing Cloth
Wax-TreatedInterior and exterior
polishing cloth.
Tar and Road Oil
RemoverRemoves tar, road oil and
asphalt.
Chrome Cleaner and
PolishUse on chrome or
stainless steel.
White Sidewall Tire
CleanerRemoves soil and black
marks from whitewalls.
Vinyl CleanerCleans vinyl tops,
upholstery and
convertible tops.
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
(cont’d)
Description Usage
Glass CleanerRemoves dirt, grime,
smoke andfingerprints.
Chrome and Wire Wheel
CleanerRemoves dirt and grime
from chrome wheels and
wire wheel covers.
Finish EnhancerRemoves dust,
fingerprints, and surface
contaminants, Spray on
wipe off.
Swirl Remover PolishRemoves swirl marks,
fine scratches and other
light surface
contamination.
Cleaner WaxRemoves light scratches
and protectsfinish.
5-84
2003 - Regal OM

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
(cont’d)
Description Usage
Foaming Tire Shine
Low GlossCleans, shines and
protects in one easy step,
no wiping necessary.
Wash Wax ConcentrateMedium foaming
shampoo. Cleans and
lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot LifterQuickly and easily
removes spots and stains
from carpets, vinyl and
cloth upholstery.
Odor EliminatorOdorless spray odor
eliminator used on
fabrics, vinyl, leather and
carpet.
See your General Motors parts department for these
products. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-16.
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears
on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through
the windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service
Parts labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
5-85
2003 - Regal OM

Service Parts Identication Label
You’llfind this label on the inside of the trunk lid. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
•your VIN,
•the model designation,
•paint information and
•a list of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the
vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealerrst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-54.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the underhood fuse block. An electrical overload will
cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have your headlamp
system checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
itfixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers in the instrument panel fuse block
protect the power windows and other power accessories.
When the current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker
opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the
problem isfixed.
5-86
2003 - Regal OM

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and in the fuse block wiring itself. This greatly reduces
the chance offires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Some fuses are located in
a fuse block on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. Pull off the cover
labeled FUSES to
expose the fuses.
Circuit
BreakersUsage
TIRE RESET Tire Inflation Monitor Reset Button
PWR
WINDOWSPower Windows
PWR
SUNROOFPower Sunroof
5-87
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
5-88
2003 - Regal OM