
The enabled/disabled state of the delayed locking
feature will be toggled when you perform the following
sequence:
1. Close the doors.
2. Move the ignition key to the RUN position.
3. Apply your regular brakes.
4. Press and hold the power door unlock switch. While
holding the door unlock switch, move the shift lever
out of and back into PARK (P).
After an initial transaxle cycle, each additional cycle will
toggle the enable/disable state of the delayed locking
feature. During this procedure, the chime will sound,
providing you with feedback. In Mode 1, a single chime
will be heard if the delayed locking feature is disabled.
In Mode 2, two chimes will be heard if the feature
is enabled. When the door lock switch is released, the
vehicle will remain in the most recent operating mode.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery for up to a year will not
change the programmed mode for the delayed locking
feature.Illumination on Remote Activation
This feature provides interior lighting when a remote
keyless entry door unlock command is received
and executed by your vehicle. Your ignition must be off
for the illumination on remote activation feature to
work. The interior lamps will light until either the ignition
is turned to RUN or until a period of 40 seconds has
elapsed. If a door is opened during this period, the timed
lighting will be canceled, and the interior lamps will
remain on. Also see“Entry Lighting”underInterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
2-7
2003 - Regal OM

Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed to Mode 3. The mode in which your
vehicle was programmed may have been changed since
it left the factory. To determine which programmable
mode your vehicle is programmed to or to program your
vehicle to a different mode, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all of the doors.
3. Apply your brakes.
4. Press and hold the power door lock switch in the
lock position. While holding the door lock switch in
the lock position, move the shift lever out of and
back into PARK (P).
After an initial transaxle cycle, each additional cycle will
advance the operating mode by one, starting from
the current operating mode. During this procedure, the
automatic door lock and unlock functions will operate
as defined by each mode listed previously, providing the
driver with feedback of the current operating mode. If
cycled beyond Mode 4, the vehicle will enter operating
Mode 1. When the door lock switch is released, the
vehicle will remain in the most recent operating mode.
Disconnecting the vehicle’s battery for up to a year
will not change the last programmed mode of the
programmable automatic power door locks.Lockout Protection
This feature helps to prevent a driver from locking the
keys inside of the vehicle by disabling the power
door locks when the following occurs:
•A door is opened,
•the key is left in the ignition, and
•a power door lock is pressed.
You may override the lockout protection feature by
holding the power door lock switch in the lock position
for more than three seconds while the key is in the
ignition and any door is open.
Remember, this feature can’t guarantee that you’ll never
be locked out of your vehicle. If you use the manual
door lock or if you leave the key in your vehicle, but not
in the ignition you could still be locked out of your
vehicle. Always remember to take your keys with you.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door. See“Delayed Locking”in this section for
more information.
2-11
2003 - Regal OM

There are several different positions for your shift lever.
{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.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in RUN. 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. Release the shift lever button. Then
move the shift lever out of PARK (P). SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) on page 2-27.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, seeIf
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.
2-22
2003 - Regal OM

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).
2-24
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).
2-25
2003 - Regal OM

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.
2-27
2003 - Regal OM

Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there is a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washerfluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return to your
preset speed. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-38.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer fluid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
The LOW WASH light on
your instrument panel
cluster will come on when
thefluid level is low.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
{CAUTION:
•Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can’t drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don’t use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
•Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
needless wheel spinning, and you could
lose control. Don’t use cruise control on
slippery roads.
3-8
2003 - Regal OM

You may enable or disable the perimeter lighting feature
when the driver performs the following sequence with
the engine not running and the doors closed:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Apply your brakes.
4. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch press and release the
panic button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
This will initialize the customization mode. While in the
customization mode, the feature will sound the number of
chimes corresponding to the current mode. In Mode 1,
one chime means the feature is disabled. In Mode 2, two
chimes signal that the perimeter lighting feature is
enabled. Each additional press will advance the mode by
one, starting from the current mode. During this
procedure, the feature will sound the number of chimes
corresponding to the mode. When the lock switch is
released, the vehicle will remain in the last mode.
Disconnecting the vehicle’s battery for up to a year will
not change the programmed operation for this feature.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the underside of the
rearview mirror.
Use the button next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor vanity
lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove box
lamps on. If you leave any of these lamps on, they will
automatically turn off after 20 minutes, if the ignition
is in OFF. The lamps won’t come back on again
until you do one of the following:
•Turn the ignition on,
•turn the exterior lamps control off, then on, or
•open a door.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can power electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 12-volt outlet. It is
located on the console, near thefloor on the
passenger’s side. Open the cover to use the outlet. Be
sure to close the cover when the outlet is not in use.
3-15
2003 - Regal OM