2003 BUICK REGAL hood release

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior Lamps Control
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
E. Air Outlets
F. Side Window Defogger Outlet
G. Hood ReleaseH. Tilt Wheel Lever
I. Horn
J. Audio System
K. Ashtray
L. Climate Control
M. Glove Box
N. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
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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.
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2003 - Regal OM

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under the Hood.....................5-8
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-52
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)....................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-53
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-56
Inflation — Tire Pressure...............................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-59
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-60
Buying New Tires.........................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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2003 - Regal OM

{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start are. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brakeuid, windshield washer and
otheruids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle inside
the vehicle, located just
below the instrument
panel and to the left of
the steering column.2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release by pushing it to the right.
3. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all thefiller caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
itfirmly.
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2003 - Regal OM

Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retainers (A) to release the
assembly locator tabs.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector (B) from the
headlamp assembly.
4. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.5. Remove the rubber access cover from behind the
bulb you are replacing.
6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn and remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
7. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical connector
and pull the connector from the headlamp bulb
socket.
8. Connect the new headlamp bulb to the electrical
connector, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
9. Insert the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly.
10. Reverse all steps to reassemble the headlamp
assembly, then check the lamps.
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2003 - Regal OM

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
“Windshield Wiper and Wiper Blades”underCleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-16.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxleuid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-20.Auid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for the
body doors, hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, rear compartment, glove box door,
console door and any folding seat hardware. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
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2003 - Regal OM

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
SuperchargerSupercharger Oil (GM Part No. U.S.
12345982, in Canada 10953513).
SeeSupercharger Oil on page 5-18.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
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2003 - Regal OM

Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-8
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
System Inspection.......................................6-15
Full-Range Traction Control System..................... 4-9
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-87
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-86
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-34
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5Glass Surfaces...............................................5-80
Glove Box.....................................................2-35
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-48
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring
............................................5-86
Headlamps
....................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
.......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs
............................................5-50
Heated Seats
................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis
...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
..................................4-24
Hitches
..........................................................4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under
.................................. 5-8
Release
....................................................... 5-9
Horn
............................................................... 3-5
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2003 - Regal OM