2004 BUICK REGAL warning

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while the vehicle is being driven,
pull off the road and stop carefully. The pedal may
be harder to push. or it may go closer to the oor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-31.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light will
come on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to RUN. If the anti-lock brake system warning light
stays on longer than normal after the engine has been
started, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and
stays on while the vehicle is being driven, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the anti-lock brake system
needs service. If the light is on and the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the vehicle still has brakes,
but it does not have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when the ignition key is turned to RUN. This
is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.United States
Canada
3-32

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the vehicle has a
Traction Control System
(TCS), the traction
control system warning
light may come on for the
following reasons:
When the system is turned off by pressing the
traction control button located on the panel directly
behind the automatic transaxle shift lever. To
turn the system back on, press the button again.
The warning light should go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10for more
information.
If there is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control. If the brakes begin to
overheat, the traction control system will turn off and
the warning light will come on until the brakes
cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem.
If there is a base brake problem with Full-Range
Traction Control.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, the vehicle needs service.
Low Traction Light
If the vehicle has the
Traction Control System
(TCS), this light will
come on when the system
is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the traction control system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist if the low traction light comes on, so adjust
your driving accordingly. The light will stay on for a
few seconds after the traction control system stops
limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10orFull-Range Traction Control System
on page 4-9.
3-33

The low traction light also comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned to RUN. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed so it will function properly and
indicate when the traction control system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light indicates that the
engine coolant has
overheated or the radiator
cooling fan is not
working.
The light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
on to show that it is working.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-29.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, the engine is
too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the warning
light. It means that the engine coolant has overheated. If
the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-29.
3-34

Security Light
The SECURITY light will
come on when the key is
turned to START, and
will stay on until the vehicle
starts.
It will also ash if the ignition key is too dirty or wet for
the PASS-Key
®II system to read the resistor pellet.
SeePASS-Key®II on page 2-16.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will
come on.
Cruise Control Light
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever the cruise
control is set. See “Cruise
Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-5.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
If the LOW WASH light
comes on when the
windshield washer paddle
is used, this indicates
that the uid is low in the
windshield washer
reservoir.
The light will also come on briey when the ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly.
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
The DOOR/TRUNK light
will come on if the trunk or
any door is not completely
closed.
3-40

Low Fuel Warning Light
If the vehicle’s fuel is low, a circular light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on and a chime will
sound periodically until fuel is added to the fuel tank.
It will also come on for a few seconds when the ignition
is turned on as a check to indicate it is working. If it
does not come on then, have it xed.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If the vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
it is located below the tachometer on the instrument
panel cluster. The DIC gives important safety and
maintenance facts. When the ignition is turned on, the
entire center lights up for just a few seconds.
United States
Canada
3800 V6 Engine
3-42

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will come on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel. United States
Canada
4-7

If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it is different. See “Anti-Lock Brake System”
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Full-Range Traction Control System
If the vehicle has a Full Range Traction Control
System, it will limit wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.The LOW TRAC light will
come on when the traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin. SeeLow
Traction Light on
page 3-33.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. The cruise control
can be used again when the road conditions allow
safe use of it. See “Cruise Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
The TRAC OFF light
should come on briey
when the engine is started.
If it stays on or comes
on while the vehicle
is being driven, there is a
problem with the traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-33. When the TRAC OFF warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
4-9

The full-range traction control system automatically
comes on whenever the vehicle is started. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, the system
should be left on.
But the system can be turned off. The full-range traction
control system should be turned off if the vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. See “Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out”
underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.
To turn the system off or
on, press the TRACTION
button located directly
behind the automatic
transaxle shift lever on the
instrument panel.
The TRAC OFF warning light will come on the
instrument panel when the system is turned off, and will
go out when the system is turned back on.Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
The LOW TRAC light will
come on while the TCS is
limiting wheel spin. See
Low Traction Light on
page 3-33.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow safe use of the cruise control, it can be
used again. See “Cruise Control” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
4-10