1993 Buick Regal Owners Manual

; o : o i o

1 0

i o

Headlights Taillights Parking Lights License Lights Sidemarker Lights Instrument Panel Lights Interior Courtesy Lights

91

Headlight “On” Warning If the light switch is left on you’ll hear a warning tone when you turn the ignition off and open the driver’s door. Fog Eights (GS Only Option)

If you have the fog light feature, the control is on the instrument. The parking lights must be on, for the fog lights to work. The fog lights will turn off when you switch to high beam headlights. When you switch back to low beam headlights they will turn back on.

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only) The Canadian Federal Government has decided that “Daytime Running Lights” (DRL) are a useful feature, in that DRL can make your vehicle more visible to pedestrians and other drivers during daylight hours. DRL are required on new vehicles sold in Canada. Your DRL work with a light sensor on top of the instrument panel. Don’t cover it up. The low beam headlights will come on at reduced brightness in daylight when: 0 The ignition is on

The headlight switch is off, and The parking brake is released.

At dusk, the exterior lights will come on automatically and the low beams will change to.full brightness. At dawn, the exterior lights will go out and the low beams will change to the reduced brightness of DRL (if the headlight switch is off>. Of course, you may still turn on the headlights any time you need to. To idle your vehicle with the DRL off. set the parking brake while the ignition is in the “Off“ or “l,ock” position. Then start the vehicle. The DRL will stay off until you release the parking brake.

92

Front Seat Reading Lights (Option)

The front seat reading lights are turned on by pressing the switches.

The reading lights on the inside rearview mirror are turned on by pressing the switch.

93

Mirrors Inside Mirror When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your car. The day-night adjustment allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lights behind you.

Courtesy Lights When any door is opened, several lights turn on. They make it easy for you to enter and leave the car. The courtesy lights go off when the doors are closed. The interior courtesy lights can be turned on by sliding the light switch to INT or by sliding the switch to OFF. You can also change the brightness of the instrument panel lights by sliding the switch between OFF and BRT. The instrument panel lights will come on when a door is opened and closed. The instrument panel lights will automatically go off after approximate1.y 30 seconds, unless the headlights or parking lights have been turned on.

94

Outside Mirrors Standard

Optional

If your Buick has the electric mirror control, you’ll find it on the driver’s door.

To adjust your left outside mirror move the control located on the driver’s door. Adjust each mirror so you can just see the side of your car and the area behind your car.

Move the switch to choose the right or left to mirror. Press any of the four arrows to move the mirror in the desired direction. Adjust each mirror so you can just see the side of your car and the area behind your car.

95

Convex Outside Mirror Your right side mirror is convex. A convex mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the driver's seat.

Ashtrays The front center ashtray can be removed for cleaning.

If you aren't used to a convex mirror, you can hit another vehicle. A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles) look farther away than they really are. If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes. . - .

96

To remove the rear ashtray for cleaning, press down on the snuffer as you pull the ashtray down and out.

This ashtray can be removed for cleaning.

your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other smoking materials could ignite them, causing a damaging fire.

Cigarette Lighter It's near the ashtray. To use the cigarette lighter, push it all the way in and let it go. When it's ready, it will pop back by itself.

igarette lighter in with your hand hile it is heating, it won't be able to back awal om the heating element when it's ready. That an make it overheat, damaging the lighter and

97

Storage Armrest (Option)

Rear Seat Console and Pass-Through (Option)

The armrest between the front seats opens into a storage area. To open it, press the lever at the front edge and lift the cover. To use the cupholder which is stored inside, pull it up and rotate it forward. You may have an adjustable cup holder. Console (Option) A storage area is under the center armrest, and in front of the shift lever.

98

To open the rear seat console, pull the strap handle toward the front of the vehicle. Inside the console, is a storage area and dual cupholders. The rear seat pass-through can be fully opened after the rear seat console has been opened. This allows you to access the trunk from inside your vehicle.

Luggage Carrier (Option) If you have the optional luggage carrier, you can load things on the deck lid of your vehicle. The luggage carrier has slats attached to the deck lid, a rear rail, and tiedowns.

NOTICE: Loading cargo that weighs more than 50 Ibs (23 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage your vehicle. When you carry large things, never let them hang over the rear or the sides of your vehicle. Load your cargo so that it rests on the slats and does not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo against the rear rail and fasten it securely to the luggage carrier.

\ia , -~~”,~,,””,,~,~~.~,~~--.~~~,,~,

L ,,*., ’L <““<*,:r4s

@:< ,%r.j>“, ..*,<,

:>,

Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your Buick. For more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.

The Instrument Panel: Your Information System

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your car is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to now to drive safely and economically. Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers (used in Canada). Your Buick has a “tamper-resistant odometer.” On the standard odometer, if you can see silver lines between

99

the numbers, probably someone has tried to turn it back. The numbers may not be true. You may wonder what happens if a car has to have a new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has to be set to the same reading the old one had. If it can’t be, then it’s set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must show the old reading and when the new one was installed. Trip Odometer

A trip odometer can tell you how many miles you have driven since you last set it back to zero. To reset it, push the trip set knob.

90

TRIP SET

100

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This section describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Wdrning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive re,pair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens. Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle.

When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help. Fuel Gage

Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. It works only when the engine is on. When the indicator nears “E,” you still have a little fuel left. You need to get more right away.

UNLEADEL, FUEL ONLY

Here are four concerns some owners have had about the fuel gage. All these situations are normal and indicate nothing wrong with the fuel gage.

8 At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the

gage reads “F”.

e It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage

indicated. For example, the gage indicated 1/2 full, but it took more -- or less -- than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it.

e The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,

speed up, or stop your vehicle. When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go all the way back to “E”.

Low Fuel Light

When your fuel gage reads in the red band, this light will go on. You should get more fuel as soon as you can.

LOW FUEL

101

This light will also come on when you set your parking brake, and will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem. If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”

in the Index.) A CAUTION:

Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the brake warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed fo service.

aw,Tp c - 1 e-

Brake System Warning Light

(a)(!)

Your Buick’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well.

BRAKE

If the warning light goes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away. This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

102

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light (Option)

With anti-lock, this light will go on unless you start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds. If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the key off. Then start the engine to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving, your Buick needs service. Unless the regular brake system warning light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not

anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this part. If the anti-lock brake system warning light ever flashes, your anti-lock brake system is still working but needs .service as soon as possible. Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot !

TEMP

It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.

103

HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY! In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. Low Coolant Warning Light

If this light comes on, your system is low on coolant and the engine may overheat.

Engine Oil Pressure Gage

I You can read your engine

oil pressure directly from the gage on your instrument panel.

OIL

See “Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.

If the gage reads in the red band and stays there, it means oil isn’t going through your engine properly. You could be low on oil, or you might have some other oil problem. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If &I you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

Low Oil Warning Light

When the “LOW OIL” light comes on you should check your engine oil level and add engine oil. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.

LO 1L

problems can be cost

105

Volts Gage

Check Gages Light

The “VOLTS” gage shows voltage in the electrical system. The normal range is 11 to 15 volts. If the gage reading stays in either red range, have your Buick dealer check the electrical system.

CHECK GAGES

The “CHECK GAGES” light indicates that there is an engine or electrical problem. If the “TEMP,” “OIL” or “VOLTS” gages read properly, there may still be an electrical problem which should be checked by your Buick dealer.

VOLTS

.,

106

NOTICE: If you keep drivln after a while the em-ission controls won’t work as well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs not covered by yo warranty.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)

A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for service soon.

107

Tachometer

The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is running. It shows speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). Do not operate your engine in the red line range. If you do you can cause severe engine damage.

108

@ Part 3 Comfort Controls And Audio Systems

In this part you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Buick . Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle . Part 3 includes:

~~

Comfort Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heater and Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Airconditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RearWindowDefogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AudioSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

110 111 111 113 112 113 SettingtheClock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.16,121 RadioControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 119 Tape Player Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 7, 121 CDPlayerControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Understanding Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Care of Cassette ‘hpe Player & l-hpes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 CareofCompactDiscs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Antennacare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

109

Your Buick Comfort Control System

Air Outlets Adjust the direction of air flow by moving the louvered vents.

Fresh air from outside your vehicle flows through your Buick when the car is moving, When the vehicle is not moving, you can get outside air to flow through by selecting any air choice (except the rear window defogger) and the HI fan speed.

Fan Control The fan control is used to select the blower speed.

Temperature Control Move the TEMP slide control to change the temperature of the air coming through your air outlets.

If you have the optional dual control air conditioner you have a second temperature lever. The top lever control the temperature for the driver. The lower lever controls the temperature for the front seat passenger. Both use the same mode and fan speed. Air Conditioning The air conditioning has three settings. On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot inside air escape.. This reduces the amount of work your air

conditioner’s compressor will have to do, which should help fuel economy.

Max This provides maximum cooling with the least amount of work. This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle so it maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and fuel economy. Norm Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting cools outside air and directs it through the instrument panel outlets. Bi-Lv (Bi-Level) This setting is designed for use on sunny days where the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper body, but your lower body may not be warm enough. The Bi-level setting directs outside air into your vehicle in two ways. Cool air is directed toward your upper body through the front instrument panel outlets, while slightly warmed air is directed through the heater outlet at your feet.

111

The air conditioner compressor operates in all Air Conditioning positions, and the Defrost position when the outside temperature is above 40'F (4.5 "C). Ventilation For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or cooling is needed, press the VENT button. Air will flow through the instrument panel outlets. Use the air outlets to turn on, adjust and turn off the air flow. Adjust the TEMP lever to control the temperature.

Heating When outside temperatures are cold, press the button marked HTR and slide the TEMP lever toward HOT to send heated air through the floor outlets.

Defog When your windshield is foggy, press the DEFOG button to direct most of the air flow toward the windshield. When it's 50 F ( 10 C) or warmer, the system will provide cooled air.

112

Defrost

When fog or ice is on the windshield, this setting directs the maximum air flow toward the windshield.

(10" C) or warmer the system will provide

Operate the system in another setting for 30 seconds before pushing this button. This will take moist air out of the system to avoid fogging of the windshield. When it's 50' cooled air. Off When the system is off, the ventilation system will allow air to flow through your Buick when the vehicle is moving.

Rear Window Defogger (Option)

I -c

The lines you see on

I the rear window warm

the glass. Press the button to start warming your window. After 10 minutes, it will go off by itself or pressing the button again during the heating cycle will shut it off. If you need additional warming time, push the button again.

NOTICE: Scraping the inside of your rear window could cut and damage the heater. Your warranty would not cover this damage. And don’t plat decals there; you might have to scrape them off.

Audio Systems Your Delcom audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delcoa system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.

FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go.

AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise.

113

1

Before you add any sound eqi me your vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you c add what you want. If you can, it’s very importan to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of so that has been added improperly. So, before adding sound equipment, check with your dealer and be sure to check Federal r covering mobile radio and telephone units

AM Stereo This means the DelcoB system can receive C-QUAM@ stereo broadcasts. Many AM stations around the country use C-QUAM@ to produce stereo, though some do not. (C-QUAM@ is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.) If your Delcoa system can get C-QUAM@, your “STEREO” light will come on when you’re receiving it.

A CAUTION:

late. Your hearing can

Hearing damage from loud noise is ZIIH IOSl undetectable until it is too adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it. To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volum setting. Increase volume comfortably and clear11 ;i

Vol The volume knob increases and decreases volume when it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.

Tune Rotate the tune knob to tune in radio stations. The tune knob increases and decreases station frequency when it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.

Fade The fade control moves the sound between the front and rear speakers. B a1 The control behind the fade control allows you to balance the sound between the right and left speakers.

AM/FM Press the AM/FM button to get AM or FM. Seek Press the SEEK button to go to the next higher station and stay there. Push it again and it will find the next higher station.

115

To Play This Radio On-Off Press the OFF-VOL knob to turn the radio on and off. (The radio also goes on/off with the ignition).

Scan Press the SCAN button to hear each station for a few seconds. Push it again to stop scanning. Pushbuttons The five pushbuttons let you return to favorite stations. To set the pushbuttons for up to ten stations (5 AM and 5 FM).

Tune in the desired station. Press SET.

0 Within 5 seconds, push one of the pushbuttons. Whenever you push that button again, the preset station will return. Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.

Clock To set the clock,

Press SET. SET must be lit in VF display be .adjusting the clock.

fore

0 Within 5 seconds, push and hold the SCAN button

until the correct minute appears. Push and hold the SEEK button until the correct hour appears.

116

Bass Press the (BAS +) side of the button to increase bass tones and press the (BAS -) side of the button to decrease bass tones. Press the center of the control for the preset bass setting. Treble Press the (TRB +) side of the button to increase treble tones and press the (TRB -) side of the button to decrease treble tones. Press the center of the control for the preset treble setting.

To Play A Cassette Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player.

With the radio on, press a tape into the slot marked AUTO REVERSE (tape side goes in first). Once the tape is playing, use the volume, balance and fade just as you did for the radio. The arrows indicate which side of the tape is being played.

Program To go from one side of the tape to the other, press the PROG button.

Fwd To advance the tape, press FWD and the tape will rapidly go forward until you press the REV button lightly. Rev To reverse the tape, press REV and the tape will rapidly go backward until you press the FWD button lightly.

Eject To remove the tape and switch to the radio, press EJCT button.

To Play A Compact Disc Use full -size compact discs. DO NOT use mini-discs that are called singles. They won't eject. To turn the system on, the radio power must be on. Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. The word CD IN will appear in the graphic display. Wait a few seconds and the disc should play. If the disc comes back out, check whether: 0 The disc is upside down. 0 It is dirty, scratched, or wet. 0 There's too much moisture in the air. (If there is,

wait about one hour and try again.)

117

RCL Press RCL to see what track is playing. Press it again within 5 seconds to see how long the CD has been playing that track. The track number also appears when you change the volume or when a new track starts to play. NEXT Press NEXT to hear the next track now (instead of waiting until the present track is finished.) If you hold this button, or press it more than once, the disc will advance further. PREV If you press and hold the PREV button, or press it more than once, the disc will return to previous tracks. SCAN Press SCAN to hear the first ten seconds of each track. Press it again to stop scanning.

STOP By pressing STOP, the compact disc will stop playing and the radio will play. PLAY Pressing PLAY will cause the radio to stop and the compact disc will play, if there is one inserted. COMP Pressing the COMP button makes soft and loud passages more equal in volume. E JCT By pressing EJECT, the disc will eject and the radio will play. The disc will start at track one when you reinsert it. Press the OFF-VOL knob or turn the ignition key off to stop the disc player. The disc stays in the player and will resume playing at the point where it stopped.

118

%ne The tune knob increases and decreases station frequency when it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.

Fade The fade control fades the sound between your front and rear speakers. It operates like the volume and tune controls. Balance The control behind the fade control allows you to balance the sound between the right and left speakers. It operates like the fade control. AMIFM Press the AM/FM button to select either AM or FM radio band. The band you select will be displayed along with the frequency of the station. If the station is in stereo, a STEREO indicator will also be displayed.

Seek Press the SEEK button to search for the next station up the AM or FM radio band. Press it again to go to the next higher station.

119

To Play This Radio On-Off Press Off-Vol knob to turn the radio on or off when the ignition is on. Volume The volume knob increases and decreases volume when it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.

Scan Press the SCAN button to hear each station for a few seconds. Push it again to stop scanning. Pushbuttons The five buttons can be used to preset ten radio stations (5 AM and 5 FM stations.)

Tune in the desired station. Press SET. (The SET indicator will appear on the screen for five seconds.) While the SET indicator is displayed, press one of the five buttons. Whenever you press that button again, the preset station will return. Repeat these steps for each of 5 AM and 5 FM stations.

Loud Press LD to increase the bass response. Mute Pressing Mute allows you to silence the radio or tape player; press again to listen. During mute, only volume up works.

Clock With the ignition on and the radio off, press SET. The set indicator will appear on the display for five seconds.

During that five seconds, press SCAN to set the minute.

0 Press SET again. Within 5 seconds, press SEEK to

set the hour.

To Play A Cassette Player To turn the system on, the radio power must be on. The radio will play until a cassette is pushed into the cassette entry door (the tape side goes in first). Do not use tapes that are longer than 92 minutes (46 minutes on each side.)

120

___

Once the tape is playing, use the volume, balance, and fade controls just like you did for radio. Equalizer The EQUALIZER enables you to adjust five separate sound frequencies to your individual taste. Slide an EQUALIZER control up to emphasize a frequency, down to de-emphasize it. It’s best to begin with all the controls in the middle position, then adjust each control as you like. FWD Press to advance the tape rapidly. Press again to play the tape. (The radio plays while a tape is advancing.) REV Press to reverse the tape rapidly. Press again to play the tape. (The radio plays while a tape is rewinding.) SEEK To search for the next selection on the tape, press SEEK then press either FWD or REV. For the SEEK to stop, there must be at least a 4-second gap between selections on the tape.

PROG Press PROG to change the side of the tape being played. When the A is lit, the selections listed on the top side of is lit, selections listed the tape are played. When the on the bottom side of the tape are played. When the end of a tape is reached, the other side will then play. 00 Dolby Press 00 to remove unwanted noise on tapes. CrO2 When playing high bias chrome or metal tapes, press CrO2. This button sets tape bias. When playing standard tapes, press again. EJCT Press EJCT to eject the cassette tape from player.

the tape

121

Steering Wheel Controls

If your car has this feature, you can also control certain functions at the steering wheel. On/Off Press ON/OFF to turn the radio on or off.

Vol To increase or decrease the volume, press VOL A or v. AM/FM Press this to choose AM or FM. Seek Press 4 to go to a lower frequency station. Press b to go to a higher frequency station. Prog Press 4 or pushbuttons. Press five times to hear them all. f i n e Press 4 or b to tune up or down, only as long as the button is held.

to hear the stations preset on your radio

122

Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate properly or cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly each month or after every 15 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player. Clean your tape player with a wiping-action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette, and follow the directions provided with it.

If this other

123

Power Antenna Mast Care Your power antenna will look its best and work well if it’s cleaned from time to time. To Clean the Antenna Mast: 1. Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna to

full mast extension.

2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or

equivalent solvent.

3. Wipe cloth over the

mast sections, removing any dirt.

Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge. Fixed Mast Antenna The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes without being damaged. If the mast should ever become slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should replace it. Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still tightened to the fender, If necessary, tighten the antenna with your hand until snug and then use a wrench to tighten it another 1/4 of a turn.

124

4. Wipe dry with clean cloth before retracting. 5. Make the antenna go up and down by turning the

radio or ignition on and off.

6. Then repeat if necessary.

Don’t lubricate

your radio to make the power antenna go down. This will prevent the mast from possibly getting damaged. If the antenna does not go down when you turn the radio off, it may be damaged or need to be cleaned. In either case, lower the antenna

If the mast portion of your antenna is damaged, you can easily replace it. See your dealer for a replacement kit and follow the instructions in the kit.

125

b

126

'L.

" ... ...

1954 Buick 56C

@ Part 4 Your Driving And The Road

Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds included many other useful tips on driving . Part 4 includes:

..

of roads and in varying weather conditions . We've also

Roadsigns ....................................................................... DefensiveDriving ................................................................. DrunkenDriving .................................................................. ControlofaVehicle ................................................................ BrakingTips ................................................................. SteeringTip .................................................................. Steering in Emergencies ........................................................ Passing ..................................................................... LossofControl ............................................................... DrivingatNight .................................................................... DrivingintheRain ................................................................. Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze ........................................................ CityDriving ....................................................................... FreewayDriving ................................................................... DrivingonaLongTrip ............................................................ HillandMountainRoads .......................................................... ParkingonHills ................................................................... WinterDriving .................................................................... TowingaTrailer ...................................................................

128 134 135 138 139 144 145 147 148 149 152 154 156 157 159 161 163 166 170

Color of Road Signs

I WRONC I WAY

RED means STOP. It may also indicate that some movement is not allowed. Examples are DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY.

Road Signs The road signs you see everywhere are coded by color, shape and symbols, It's a good idea to know these codes so that you can quickly grasp the basic meaning or intent of the sign even before you have a chance to read it.

128

I

i?

, -

A-

RAILROAD ADVANCE CROSSING

NARROW BRIDGE

LOW

SHOULDER

FLAGGER AHEAD

WORKERS

AHEAD

YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a railroad crossing ahead, a no passing zone, or some other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow solid line painted on the road means “Don’t Cross.”

ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance. You’ll want to slow down when you see an orange sign, as part of the road may be closed off or torn up. And there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around, too.

1

E X I T

I 1 SMALLTO

BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’ services.

GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may indicate upcoming freeway exits or show the direction you should turn to reach a particular place.

CANOEING

SWIMMING

BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of historic or cultural interest.

Shape of Road Signs The shape of the sign will tell you something, too.

An OCTAGONAL (eight-sided) sign means STOP. It is always red with white letters.

ST0 P

A DIAMOND-shaped sign is a warning of something ahead - for example, a curve, steep hill, soft shoulder, or a

.\ b narrow bridge.

F 40 I PASSING

A TRIANGLE, pointed downward, indicates YIELD. It assigns the right-of-way to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection.

A TRIANGULAR sign also is used on two-lane roads to indicate a NO PASSING ZONE. This sign will be on the left side of the roadway.

1 2 1

Symbols on Road Signs

KEEP RIGHT

LEFT OR THROUGH

RIGHT TURN

ONLY

RECTANGULAR (square or oblong) signs show speed limits, parking regulations, give directions, and such information as distances to cities.

There are many international road signs in use today. The basic message of many of these signs is in pictures or graphic symbols. A picture within a circle with a diagonal line across it shows what not to do.

132

Traffic Lights

We’re all familiar with traffic lights or stop lights. Often green arrows are being used in the lights for improved traffic control. On some multilane roads, green arrows light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean “go no matter what.” You’ll still need to proceed with caution, yielding the right of way to pedestrians and sometimes to other vehicles. Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that you must stop before turning on red.

REVERSIBLE LANE ON NIULTI- LANE

ROADWAY

Many city roads and expressways, and even bridges, use reversible-lane traffic control during rush hours. A red X light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that

133

time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane. Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours and days these systems are in effect. Pavement Markings

NO

PASSING

ZONE

Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals. They give information to drivers without taking attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your side of the road or lane means “don’t cross.” Your Own Signals Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite, it’s safer to let other drivers know what you are doing. And in some places the law requires driver signals. Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when you plan to turn or change lanes.

If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window: Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or about-to-stop, and up for a right turn. Slowing down. If time allows, tap the brake pedal once or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns the driver behind you. Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your vehicle is disabled or is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning Flasher” in the Index. Traffic Officer The traffic police officer is also a source of important information. The officer’s signals govern, no matter what the traffic lights or other signs say. The next section discusses some of the road conditions you may encounter. Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Buick: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)

134

Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.’’ Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Expect children to dash out from behind.parked cars, often followed by other children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for movement in parked cars -- someone may be about to open a door. Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street. Be ready to brake if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not have to use the brake, but if you do, you will be ready. If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking areas, expect some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one part of the lot. Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way to pedestrians even if you know you have the right of way. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough

following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly. Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous time for driving in the U.S. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most dangerous time is Sunday from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t just a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more dangerous! That leads to the next section. Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national, tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment

0 Muscular Coordination 0 Vision

135

Police records show that half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol - a driver, a passenger or someone else, such as a pedestrian, had been drinking. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. Over 25,000 motor vehicle-related deaths occur each year because of alcohol, and thousands of people are injured. Just how much alcohol is too much if a person plans to drive? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

How much alcohol is in the drink.

0 The drinker’s body weight. 0 The amount of food that is consumed before and

during drinking.

0 The length of time it has taken the drinker to

consume the alcohol.

136

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka. It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s

BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a slightly lower BAC level.

IG THAT WILL

RE! LI IN A BAC OF .05%

IN THE TIME SHOWN

3 HOURS

rn 2 HOURS

OF DRINKS (as In plcture) 4

BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS

The law in most U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it’s lower than that. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how

much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But it’s very important to keep in mind that the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with a higher BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that

137

1 HOUR

23

100 120

140 160 180 200 220 240

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.

alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse. That’s especially true for brain, spinal cord and heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, the chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for drinking drivers.

I A CAUTION:

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment will be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could have a serious -- or even fatal -- accident if you drive after drinking. Please don’t drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you’re with a group, designate a driver who will not drink:.

138

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. Don’t “ride” the brakes by letting your left foot rest lightly on the brake pedal while driving.

Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you nave to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes. Most drivers treat their brakes with care. Some, however, overwork the braking system with poor driving habits.

139

“Riding” your brakes can cause th%m to overhed to the point that they won’t work well. You might not be able to stop your vehicle in time to avoid an accident. If you “ride” your brakes, they will get so hot they will require a lot of pedal force to, . . , 3 . :. ., ii: SI0 .I_ : . ...4.L,::z c.

- .

lown. Avoid “rid

a’’ the brak

, +

‘

I “Riding” the brakes

rs them out K%ch faster. You would need costly brake replacement much sooner th economy.

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.

0 If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (Option) If your Buick has this system, your Buick has an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent skidding. If you have an anti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake pedal will say so. And this light on the instrument panel will go on when you start your vehicle. When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away, you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing itself. If you have your foot on the brake pedal, this check won’t happen until the vehicle goes about 4 mph (6 km/h) or until you take your foot off the brake pedal. After an ABS stop, you may hear a clicking noise the next time the vehicle goes about 4 mph (6 km/h).

If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or flash. See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The computer separately works the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels.

141

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions.

... ..

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

142

/A CAUTION:

Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle cvddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough luom up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes.

To Use Anti-Lock: Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You also may hear a clicking noise as you accelerate after a hard stop. Disc Brake Wear Indicators Your Buick has four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).

--

A LAUTION:

The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well. Thal could lead to an accident. When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced

NOTICE: Continuing to drive with worn-out ‘-ake pat- could result in costly brake repair

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes. Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.

Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble. Brake Adjustment Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make a few moderate brake stops about every 1000 miles (1600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly. Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. However, if you don’t have anti-lock, your first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can’t respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.

That could be off the road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic. If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking technique. This will give you maximum braking while maintaining steering control. You 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 you & have anti-lock, it’s different: see Index under “Anti-lock Brake System.”) In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a r8 easonable speed. 144

A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems -- steering and braking -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you’re steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control.

What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see the road ahead of you because it bends away from the straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls

out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Buick can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. Rut you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled stop. Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for an unprepared driver. This is one of the reasons driving

1 A C

experts recommend that you use your safety belts ana keep both hands on the steering wheel.

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

/+-- &-A ..

OFF ROAD RECOVERY

The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times. Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you're driving.

146

If the shoulder appears to be about four inches (100 mm) or more below the pavement, this difference can cause problems. If there is not enough room to pull entirely onto the shoulder and stop, then follow the same procedures. But if the right front tire scrubs against the side of the pavement, do NOT steer more sharply. With

too much steering angle, the vehicle may jump back onto the road with so much steering input that it crosses over into the oncoming traffic before you can bring it back under control. Instead, ease off again on the accelerator and steering input, straddle the pavement once more, then try again. Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing: 0 “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and

to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time.

0 Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass (providing the road‘ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.

0 If you suspect that the driver of the vehicle you want

to pass isn’t aware of your presence, tap the horn a couple of times before passing.

0 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.

0 When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,

start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, 147

you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle. Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

148

Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your Buick’s three control system.s. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steeri.ng in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handied by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn a corner on a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), ease your foot off

the accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start to slide. Quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have any doubt. If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you

have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling, you will have steering control. Steer the way you want to go. Driving at Night

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

149

Here are some tips on night driving. 0 Drive defensively. Remember, this is the most

dangerous time.

0 Don’t drink and drive. (See “Drunken Driving” in

the Index for more on this problem.)

0 Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the

glare from headlights behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. It’s hard to tell how fast the vehicle ahead is going just by looking at its taillights.

0 Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your

headlights can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals.

0 If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and

rest.

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.

What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlights, but they also make a lot of things invisible that should remain visible - such as parked cars, obstacles, pedestrians, or even trains blocking railway crossings. You may want to put on your sunglasses after you have pulled into a brightly-lighted service or refreshment area. Eyes shielded from that glare may adjust more quickly to darkness back on the road. But be sure to remove your sunglasses before you leave the service area. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. If there is a line of opposing traffic, make occasional glances over the line of headlights to make certain that one of the vehicles isn’t starting to move into your lane. Once you are past the bright lights, give your eyes time to readjust before resuming speed.

150

High Beams If the vehicle approaching you has its high beams on, signal by flicking yours to high and then back to low beam. This is the usual signal to lower the headlight beams. If the other driver still doesn’t lower the beams, resist the temptation to put your high beams on. This only makes two half-blinded drivers. On a freeway, use your high beams only in remote areas where you won’t impair approaching drivers. In some places, like cities, using high beams is illegal. When you follow another vehicle on a freeway or highway, use low beams. True, most vehicles now have day-night mirrors that enable the driver to reduce glare. But outside mirrors are not of this type and high beams from behind can bother the driver ahead.

A Few More Night Driving Suggestions Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also makes inside glass surfaces very filmy and can be a vision hazard if it’s left there. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. You might even want to keep a cloth and some glass cleaner in your vehicle if you need to clean your glass frequently. Remember that your headlights light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.

151

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road you can’t stop, .accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. Road spray can often be worse for vision than rain, especially if it comes from a dirty road. So it is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show

Driving in the Rain

1 L3

signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

A CAUTION:

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could drive along for some time without realizing your tires aren’t in constant contact with the road. You could find out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out to pass -- or if you get hit by a gust of wind. You could suddenly find yourself out of control. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or

153

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

~.-lll

more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining, and be careful. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your headlights -- not just your parking lights -- to help make you more visible to others. Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming from behind. You may want to use your headlights even in daytime if it’s raining hard. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. If the road spray is so heavy you are actually blinded, drop back. Don’t pass until conditions improve. Going more slowly is better than having an accident. Use your defogger if it helps.

154

0 Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See

“Tires” in the Index.)

Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze

Fog can occur with high humidity or heavy frost. It can be so mild that you can see through it for several hundred feet (meters). Or it might be so thick that you can see only a few feet (meters) ahead. It may come suddenly to an otherwise clear road. And it can be a maj or hazard.

When you drive into a fog patch, your visibility will be reduced quickly. The biggest dangers are striking the vehicle ahead or being struck by the one behind. Try to “read” the fog density down the road. If the vehicle ahead starts to become less clear or, at night, if the taillights are harder to see, the fog is probably thickening. Slow down to give traffic behind you a chance to slow down. Everybody then has a better chance to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead. A patch of dense fog may extend only for a few feet (meters) or for miles (kilometers); you can’t really tell while you’re in it. You can only treat the situation with extreme care. One common fog condition -- sometimes called mist or ground fog -- can happen in weather that seems perfect, especially at night or in the early morning in valley and low, marshy areas. You can be suddenly enveloped in thick, wet haze that may even coat your windshield. You can often spot these fog patches or mist layers with your headlights. But sometimes they can be waiting for you as you come over a hill or dip into a shallow valley. Start your windshield wipers and washer, to help clear accumulated road dirt. Slow down carefully.

Tips on Driving in Fog If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low beam, even in daytime. You’ll see -- and be seen -- better. Use your fog lights if your vehicle has them. Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off the water droplets that make up fog and reflect back at you. Use your defogger. In high humidity, even a light buildup of moisture on the inside of the glass will cut down on your already limited visibility. Run your windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture can build up on the outside glass, and what seems to be fog may actually be moisture on the outside of your windshield. Treat dense fog as an emergency. Try to find a place to pull off the road. Of course you want to respect another’s property, but you might need to put something between you and moving vehicles -- space, trees, telephone poles, a private driveway, anything that removes you from other traffic. If visibility is near zero and you must stop but are unsure whether you are away from the road, turn your lights on, start your hazard warning flashers, and sound

155

your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching traffic. Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see far enough ahead to pass safely. Even then, be prepared to delay your pass if you suspect the fog is worse up ahead. If other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them. City Driving

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: 0 Know the best way to get to where you are going.

Try not to drive around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip.

0 Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most

large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next section, “Freeway Driving.”) Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

0 Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they are for ideal road, weather and visibility conditions. You may need to drive below the posted limit in bad weather or when visibility is especially poor.

156

Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear or intersections when you see or hear emergency vehicles.

Freeway Driving

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.

The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. Entering the Freeway At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to