2004 BUICK REGAL heater

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheated engine warning can indicate a serious
problem. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light on page 3-34.
If there is an overheated engine warning, and no steam
is seen or heard, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when
the vehicles:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheated engine warning appears 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. Adjust the heater to the highest temperature and
fan speed settings and open the window as
necessary.If the overheated engine warnings no longer exist, the
vehicle can be driven. Just to be safe, drive slower
for about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while parked. If the warning still exists, turn
off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until
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.
5-31

If it is not, there may be a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, the vehicle needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
in the Index for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-33

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If no problem has been found yet, but the coolant level
is not at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant
at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, start the vehicle.
5-34

Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-95
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-32
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers
for Children (LATCH System).....................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-35
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-90
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-94
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-93Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-90
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-92
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-92
Cleaning Leather............................................5-91
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-92
Cleaning Tires................................................5-95
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-91
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-94
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-25
Dual..........................................................3-17
Dual Automatic............................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-89
Control Buttons...............................................3-43
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-36
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-34
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-34
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cornering Lamps............................................3-13
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-14
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light........................................3-40
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-98
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-98
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-98
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-98
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-37
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-46
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-34
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-34
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-19
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-21Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-11
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station.......3-48, 3-55
Finding a Station....................................3-46, 3-53
Finish Care....................................................5-93
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-77
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-40
Windshield Washer......................................5-42
FM ...............................................................3-62
Fog Lamps....................................................3-13
5

Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-35
Tire Ination Check........................................... 6-9
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-62
Tire Size.......................................................5-65
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-66
Tires.............................................................5-61
Buying New Tires........................................5-72
Chains.......................................................5-76
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-78
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-89
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-77
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-68
Inspection and Rotation................................5-70
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-73
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-75
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-72
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-20
Top Strap......................................................1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-37
Torque Lock...................................................2-26
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31Traction
Control System (TCS)..................................4-10
Control System Warning Light.......................3-33
Full-Range Control System............................. 4-9
Low Light...................................................3-33
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-24
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-21
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case
Unit Repair Manual......................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-28
Trunk............................................................2-12
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-13
Trunk Lock....................................................2-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44
U
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-101
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-73
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-76
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-90
13