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Outside Your Buick 248 Safety Belts .................................. 247 Underbody Maintenance ........................ 250 Vinyl ....................................... 246 White Sidewall Tires ........................... 249 Windshield Wiper and Blades .................... 248


294


Clock Setting ............................... 128. 132 Comfort Controls ................................ 12 1 Compact Disc Player ............................. 129 Compact Disc Care .............................. 136 Compact Spare Tire .............................. 205 Control of a Vehicle .............................. 143 Controls. Features and ............................. 69 Convenience. Net ................................ 108 Coolant. Engine ................................. 223 WarningGage ................................ 116 Heater ................................... 83. 2 19 Safety Warnings .............................. 187 Courtesy Lights ................................. 105 Courtesy Transportation ........................... 286 Cruise Control ................................... 98 Customer Assistance Hearing /Speech Impaired ...................... 285 Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283


Daytime Running Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Defensive Driving ............................... 140 Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 125 Defrost ........................................ 121 Dimensions Chart ................................ 259 Disposal of Used Oil ............................. 2 19 DoorLocks ...................................... 71 Downshifting .................................... 84 Driving City ........................................ Curve ...................................... Defensive ...................................


155 147 140


Drunken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Foreign Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Hill and Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 LongDistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Through Deep Standing Water .................... 82 Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160


Engine


Electrical Equipment. Adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125. 253 Emergency


Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Block Heater (Coolant Heater) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 219 Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Coolant Temperature Warning Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Identification (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Oil Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Oil Pressure Warning Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Ethanol in Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Expectant Mothers, Use of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67


...


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295


Fabric Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Features and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Fiberglass Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 1 ............................. 21 1 Filling the Fuel Tank Filter. Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Finish Damage .................................. 250 FirstGear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Flash-To-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Flashers. Hazard Warning Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 FloodedEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Fluid Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Capacities ............................... 26 1. 262 Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Fluids and Lubricants Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 FogLights ..................................... 103 Foreign Operation ............................... 2 10 Francais. Guide En . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Freeway Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 French Language Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Capacities ............................... 26 1. 262 FillingYourTank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 In Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 10 LowLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................ 254


G a g e


Battery (Voltage Indicator) ...................... 119 Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 116 Engine Oil Pressure ........................... 117 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Gasoline Tank Filling ............................. 211 Gear Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Glasscleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247


Halogen Bulbs ................................. 231 Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Headlamp Bulb Replacement ........................ 23 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 High-Low Beam Changer ....................... 96 Headlight “On” Warning ....................... 103 Head Restraints .................................. 17 Hearing Impaired Assistance ....................... 285 Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Heater. Engine Block (Engine Coolant Heater) . . . . . . 83. 219 Highway Hypnosis ............................... 158 Hill and Mountain Roads .......................... 159 Hitches. Trailer .................................. 166 Hood Release ................................... 212 Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Hot Coolant Warning Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Hot Engine Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Hydroplaning ................................... 154


Identification Label. Service Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Identification Number. Vehicle (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Idling Your Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Indicators. Warning Lights and Gages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Inflation. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1


Jack. Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


196 173


Keyless Entry System. Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78


Ignition Positions PASS Security System


Label. Service Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Lane Change Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 LapBelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lap-Shoulder Belt


Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41. 44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leather Cleaning 247 Leaving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Lighter. Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 10 Lights


Air Bag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daytime Running Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “On” Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removmg and Replacing Bulbs Wdrning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


112 Loading Your Vehicle 234 Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Long Distance Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Lubricants and Fluids, Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 Luggagecarrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


103 103 103 103 95 104


231


Maintenance


Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 252 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Underbody Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon) . . . . . 120 Manualseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Master Cylinder. Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 106 Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159


108 N e t . Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neutral Gear Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79


297


NightDriving ................................... 152 Number. Vehicle Identification (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253


Octane Requirements ........................... Odometer ...................................... Off-Road Recovery Oil. Engine .....................................


209 1 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 214 Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 16 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Overdrive. Automatic ............................. 85 Overheated Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187


Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Park Position Park. Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Parking


Brake ........................................ Over Things That Burn .......................... With a Trailer ................................ With the Engine Running ........................ Passing ........................................ PASS-Key Security System ......................... Polishing and Waxing Power


87 90 169 91 14 9 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248


Antenna ..................................... DoorLocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


136 73 106 15


Steering ..................................... Steering Fluid ................................ Windows ..................................... ........................ Pregnancy. Safety Belts Use ............................ Problems on the Road Publications. Service .............................


146 226 92 38 171 288


Radiator Overheating ............................ 187 Radiator Pressure Cap ............................ 225 Radio ......................................... 125 Reading Lights .................................. 104 Rear Window Defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! . . . . . . . 125 Reclining Seatbacks ............................... 16 Remote Keyless Entry System ....................... 74 Remote Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Replacing Brake System Parts ............................ 230 Lights Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ........ 231 Safety Belts ................................... 68 Tires ....................................... 239 Wheels ..................................... 242 Reporting Safety Defects .......................... 285 Restraint System. Supplemental (Air Bag) ............. 33 Restraint Systems ................................. 19 Restraints. Child .................................. 52 Restraints. Head .................................. 17 Reverse Gear Position ............................. 84 Roadside Assistance .............................. 287 ............................ 206 Rocking Your Vehicle Rotation. Tire ................................... 238 Running Your Engine While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91


298


Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Automatic Lap-Shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Canadian Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Center Passenger Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Driver Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Lap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lap-Shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.41. 44 Larger Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Pregnancy. Use During . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Properly Worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Questions About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Rear Comfort Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Rear Seat Passenger Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41. 44 Reminder Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Right Front Passenger Position .................... 39 Torn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Twisted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Why Safety Belts Work Safety Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Safety Defects. Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Scheduled Maintenance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 SeatbackLatches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Seats and Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SecondGearPosition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Securing a Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.55.58. 60 Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) . . . . . 120


Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Shifting the Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Sound Equipment. Adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125. 253 Soundsystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 SpareTire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Specifications Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 1. 262 Speech Impaired Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Speed Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Starting Your Car (Jump Starting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Starting Your Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Wheel Radio Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Wheel. Tilt Stereo Sound Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Storage Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Storing Your Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Stuck. If Your Car is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Supplemental Restraint System (Air Bag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 108 Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Taillight Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132


299


Tape Player Care ................................ 135 Temperature Warning Light ........................ 1 16 Theft ........................................... 77 Thermostat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Third Gear Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Tilt Steering Wheel ............................... 93 Time (Setting the Clock) ...................... 128. 132 Tire ........................................... 236 Balance ..................................... 241 Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Inflation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 Inspection and Rotation Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Pressure ..................................... 237 Quality Grading .............................. 240 Replacement ................................. 239 Spare ....................................... 205 Wear Indicators ............................... 239 White Sidewall ............................... 249 TorqueLock ..................................... 90 TowingHookups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 .............................. 179 Towing Your Buick Trailer Towing .................................. 164 Transaxle. Automatic .............................. 84 Transaxle Fluid .................................. 220 Trip Odometer .................................. 1 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Trunk Release. Remote Turn Signalmeadlight Beam Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Turn Signal Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Turn Signal Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95


300


Underbody Cleaning ............................ 250 Unleaded Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Upholstery Care .................................. 244 219 Used Oil Disposal Used Replacement Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242


...............................


Vehicle Identification Number (VI Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vehicle Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventilation ..................................... Vinyl Cleaning .................................. VoltsGage .....................................


N) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 121 246 119


w a r n i n g Flashers. Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Warning Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Air Bag Readiness ............................. 35 ........................ 115 Anti-lock Brake System Battery ...................................... 119 Brake ....................................... 114 CheckGages ................................. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Engine Coolant Temperature Engineoil ................................... 117 LowCoolant ................................. 117 LowFuel .................................... 114 LowOil ..................................... 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Safety Belt Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) . . 120 Washer. Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Washing Your Vehicle


Wheel


Weatherstrip .................................... Weight


249 Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ............... 234 ............ 234 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ....................................... Trailer Alignment .................................... Aluminum ................................... Cover Removal ............................... NutTorque .................................. Replacement ................................. Windows .......................................


24 1 249 198 203 242 92


165


Windshield


Cleaning .................................... 248 Washer ...................................... 97 Washer Fluid ................................. 227 Wipers ....................................... 96 Winter Driving .................................. 160 Wrecker Towing ................................. 179


Your Driving and the Road .... Your Vehicle and the Environment


.................. 139 .................. 265


301


Owner’s Record of Upkeep and Fuel Usage


302


Owner’s Record of Upkeep and Fuel Usage


303


Fuel Mileage Chart


MILES PER GALLON


10


11


12


13


17 14


16


15


18


19


20


21


22 25 26


24


23


32


31


30


29


28


27


33 34


36


35


150 155 160 165 170 175 18C


135 140 145


132 138 144 IS0 156 162 168 174 180 186 192 198 204 210 216


I82 189 196 203 210 217 224 231 238 245 252


2 16 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 280 288


35 144 I53 162 171 180 I89 198 207 3 15 324 50 160 I70 1 X0 190 200 2 10 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 3 I0 320 330 340 350 360 65 176 187 198 209 220 23 80 I92 204 21 6 228 240 252 264 276 288 300


I 242 253 264 275 286 297 308 319 330


2 I6 225 234 243 252 261 270 279 288 297 306


3 12 324 336 348 360 372 384 396 408 420


341 352 363 374 385 396


432


10 11 12 13 14 15


16 17 18 19 20 21


98


105 112 119 126


1 84 I92 200 208


X 0 X5 90 95 100


130 140 143 154


105 110 115 120 125 130


133 140 147 154 161 168 175


104 1 12 I20 I28 136 144 I52 160 I68 176


50 55 60 65 70 75 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120 126 70 77 84 91 80 88 96 90 99 108 117 126 100 110 120 110 121 132 120 132 144 156 168 130 143 I56 169 182 195 208 22 140 IS4 168 I82 196 21 I 50 16s 1 no 19s 210 225 240 255 270 285 300 I60 176 192 208 224 240 256 272 288 304 320 336 352 368 384 400 416 432 448 464 480 496 170 I87 204 22 1 238 255 272 289 306 I80 198 2 I6 234 252 270 288 306 324 342 360 378 396 190 209 228 247 266 285 !00 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 ?I0 23 I 252 273 294 3 15 336 357 378 399 420 441 462 483 504 !20 242 264 286 308 330 352 374 396 41


0 224 238 252 266 280 294 308 322 336


1 234 247 260 273 286 299


3 I2 325 338 35 I 364 377 390 403 41 6 429 442 4.55 468


504 31 5 330 345 360 375 390 405 420 435 450 46s 4x0 495 5 10 525 540


350 364 378 392 406 420 434 448 462 476 490


5 12 528 544 560 576


323 340 357 374 391 408 425 442 459 476 493


5 10 527 544 561 578 595 61 2 414 432 450 468 486 504 522 540 558 576 594 61 2 630 648


304 323 342 361 380 399 41 8 437 456 475 494 5 I3 532 551 570 589 608 627 646 665 684 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 700 720 525 546 567 588 609 630 65 I 672 693 71 4 735 756


8 440 462 484 506 528 550 572 594 616 638 660 682 704 726 748 770 792


12 -


304


1


THIS MANUAL IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING MINIMUM 50% WASTEPAPER, 10% POST CONSUMER WASTE


. .


a; ' A


. -


Regal


The 1994 Buick Regal


Owner’s Manual


Litho in USA Part No, 25609786 A First Edition


@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1993 All Rights Reserved 4.


B m


GM


BUICK


GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem, Buick, and the Buick Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Please keep this manual in your Buick, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it.


We support voluntary technician certification.


WE SUPPORT


AUTOMOTIVE


SERVICE


EXCELLENCE


For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual: Aux DroDrietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en francais chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd., 1500 Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T lC7.


3


innovator. Buick engineers developed the “valve-in-head” engine, a light, powerful and reliable engine which would eventually influence the entire automotive industry. William C. Durant was instrumental in promoting Buicks across the country using his Durant-Dort Carriage Co. outlets and salespeople as the nucleus of a giant distribution system. He knew the Buick as a “self-seller”. If automobiles could be this good, he thought, maybe it was time to switch from the horse and buggy business to automobiles.


At the 1905, New York Auto Show, Durant took orders for 1,000 Buicks before the company had built 40. On Buick’s success, Durant created a holding company, September 16, 1908. He called it General Motors.


William C. (Billy) Durant


Walter Marr and Thomas Buick Buick’s chief engineer, Walter L. Marr (left), and Thomas D. Buick, son of founder David Dunbar Buick, drove the first Flint Buick in a successful Flint-Detroit round trip in July 1904. David Buick was building gasoline engines by 1899, and Marr, his engineer, apparently built the first auto to be called a Buick in 1900. However, Buick traditionally dates its beginnings to 1903. That was the year the company was reorganized, refinanced and moved from Detroit to Flint. Buick has always been a product


Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing trophies in 1909 and 19 10, including successes at Indianapolis two years before the Indy 500 began. The success of Buick engines was visible not only on the race track, but in endurance tests across the country and around the world. Buick was the only car to complete a 1,000-mile Chicago-to-New York race in 1906. And a Buick was the first car to travel across South America, driven from Buenos Aires, Argentina, over the Andes to Santiago, Chile in 1914.


Buick drew plenty of attention because it could climb hills and run through mud like no other car. Buick's endurance and reliability were world famous. During World War I, Buick built Liberty aircraft engines as well as Red Cross ambulances so successful that one Buick ambulance was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government. As a builder of premier automobiles, Buick was hard hit by the Great Depression. However, new General Manager, Harlow H. Curtice created popular new models including the Special and the Roadmaster. Buick sales soon flourished.


1911 Model 21 Touring Car 011 Buick's Test Hill


First Buick Factory


In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and other military hardware. This post-war period brought great styling and engineering changes which resulted in increased sales. The torque converter automatic transmission, Dynaflow, was introduced in the 1948 Roadmaster. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along in 1949.


A high-compression V-8 engine was introduced in ,1953. And Buick’s famous vertical pillar “toothy” grille, (introduced in 1942), became more massive in the post-war era.


1953 Skylark Motor Trend magazine named the 1962 Buick Special, “Car of the Year”. The first production V-6 engine was used in the Special.


1949 Roadmaster.


I962 Buick Special Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone of General Motors, Buick City, is a state-of-the-art assembly facility with more than 200 robots and other high-tech equipment. It was completed in the fall of 1985. Buicks are, and will continue to be, premium American motorcars with smooth power, high performance, rich detail and comfortable accommodation.


Ed Mertz, General Munuger; Buick Motor Division Our mission is simple: “Buick will provide Premium American Motorcars backed with services that exceed our customers’ expectations, throughout the purchase, ownership, service and repurchase experience.” Buicks are SUBSTANTIAL. Buicks are DISTINCTIVE. Buicks are POWERFUL. Buicks are MATURE.


.. .


1923 Sport Roadster


Table of Contents


This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety a n d vehicle damage warnings and symbols.


HowtoUsethisManual ................................................................ Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the ”SRS” system. Featuresandcontrols .................................................................. Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .....................................................


This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.


This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.


YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions. ProblemsontheRoad ..................................................................


This part tells you what to do il‘ you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating. etc.


Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.


Service and Appearance Care.. .......................................................... Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. ........................................................ Customer Assistance Information


This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what Iluids and lubricants to use.


This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 285.


Index ................................................................................


Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject i n this manual. You can use it t o quickly find something you want to read.


10


13


69


121


139


171


207


263


283


293


You will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book. 1 This safetv svmbol means


“Don’t,’’ “Don’t do this,” or “Don’t let this happen.”


How to Use This Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. This will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly. Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box with gray background and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.


In the gray caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt.


Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices:


NOTICE:


In the notice area, we tell you about something that can darnage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use yellow for cautions, blue for notices and the words CAUTION or NOTICE.


11


Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.


These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:


These symbols have to do with your lights:


These symbols are on some of your controls:


WIPER Q7


WINDSHIELD


CHARGING I-1


BATTERY


SYSTEM


These symbols are important for you and your passengers whenever your vehicle is driven:


DOOR LOCK UNLOCK


FASTEN


BELTS


POWER WINDOW


SEAT


For example, these symbols are used on an original battery:


POSSIBLE A


CAUTION


INJURY


PROTECT EYES BY SHIELDING


CAUSTIC


BURNS


AVOID SPARKS OR FLAMES


OR SPARK FLAME COULD EXPLODE BATTERY


12


,\I/,


SIGNALS e


TURN


HAZARD WARNING FLASHER


WINDOW DEFOGGER


VENTILATING FAN


HIGH BEAM =


FOG LAMPS # 0


Here are some other symbols you may see:


FUSE


RADIO VOLUME


CONDITIONING AIR


RADIATOR COOLANT


FUEL


ENGINE OIL PRESSURE W


LIGHTER


(a) TEMP OIL &


SPEAKER b


ANTILOCK BRAKE


Part 1 Seats and Restraint Systems


Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Buick and how to use your safety belts properly . You can also learn about some things you should not do with safety belts . Part 1 includes:


Lap-ShoulderBelt


SeatsandSeatControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HeadRestraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SafetyBelts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supplemental Restraint System (Air Bag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smaller Children and Babies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LargerChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety BeltExtender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking Your Restraint System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing Safety Belts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


14 17 19 26 27 33 38 47 SO 52 64 67 67 68


13


Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them, and also about reclining front seatbacks and head restraints. Manual Seat


A CAUTION:


You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement. could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.


Move the lever under the front seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.


Four-Way Manual Seat - Drivers Seat Only (Option) If you have this option, you have two levers under the front edge of the seat. The lever near the outer side of the seat unlocks the seat allowing it to slide forward and back. The lever near the center allows you to tilt the seat up or down. Power Seat (Option)


The power seat controls are located on the side of the seat. Front Control (F): Raise the front of the seat by holding the switch up. Hold the switch down to lower the front of the seat. Center Control (C): Move the seat forward or back by holding the control to the front or back. Raise or lower the seat by holding the control up or down. Rear Control (R): Raise the rear of the seat by holding the switch up. Hold the switch down to lower the rear of the seat.


Reclining Front Seatback(s) To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side of the seat and move the seatback to where you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback. Pull up on the lever and the seat will go to an upright position.


But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.


16


Head Restraints


T;


,. .


Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.


17


Front Seatback Latches (Two-Door Models) Easy Entry $eat (Option-Two Door Models) The front seatback folds forward to let people get into The rightsfront seat of your vehicle makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat. When you tilt the right front the back seat. seatback fully ,forward, the whole- seat will slide Your seatback will move back and forth freely, unless forward. After someone gets into the rear seat area, you come to a sudden stop. Then it will lock in place. move the-right front seatback to its original position. There’s one time the seatback may not fold without Then move the seat rearward until it locks. To get out, some help from you. That’s if your vehicle is parked again tilt the seatback fully forward. going down a fairly steep hill.


To fold a seatback forward, push the seatback toward the rear as you lift this latch. Then the seatback will fold forward. The latch must be down for the seat to work properly.


18


Safety Belts: They’re For Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System, or “air bag” system.


This figure lights up as a reminder to buckle up. (See “Safety Belt Warning Light” in the Index.)


In many states and Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.


19


After more than 25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!


Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.


v . ; . _ . .


...


For example, if the bike is going 10 mph (16 km/h), so is the child.


20


.


When the bike hits the block, it stops. But the child keeps eoinrr!


Take the simplest “car.” Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.


21


.


. .


, ...


..


.._ ....


L"


......: ..=


Put someone on it.


Get it up to speed. Then stop the "car." The rider doesn't stop.


22


The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...


L I


or the instrument panel ...


23


Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers @ Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an


accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?


A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can easily unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.


Q: Why don’t they just put in air bags so people


won’t have to wear safety belts?


A: Air bags, or Supplemental Restraint Systems, are in some vehicles today and will be in more of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only -- so they work with safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.


or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense.


24


If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts?


A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.


Safety Belt Reminder Light


# When the key is turned to “Run” or “Start,” a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.


The safety belt light will also come on and stay on until the driver’s belt is buckled.


25


How To Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This section is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your Buick, see the section after this one, called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position.


Vehicles First Sold In Canada Was your Buick first sold, when new, in Canada? (If it was, a sticker on the driver’s door will say “conforms to all applicable Canada motor vehicle ...” etc.) If so, then the rest of Part 1 does not apply to your vehicle. To learn how to use your safety belts, please read the Owner’s Manual Safety Belt Supplement. It comes with every new Buick first sold in Canada. Driver Position This section describes the driver’s restraint system.


26


This safety belt is called “automatic” because you don’t have to buckle up when you get into your vehicle.


And you don’t have to unbuckle when you get out. Just get into your vehicle. Then close and lock the door. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index) so you can sit up straight.


27


if the door was


The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash. It’s possible that an automatic belt could keep you from fully opening a door. That can happen slammed shut very hard. Just close the door all the way, then slowly open it. If that doesn’t fix it, then your Buick needs service. We hope you’ll always keep your automatic belt buckled. However, you may need to unbuckle it in an emergency. And you would need to unbuckle it to let someone get into the center front seat position, if ,your vehicle has one. r


as


The lap belt should be worn as low on the hips possible. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.


28


To unbuckle the automatic belt, just push the button on the buckle.


To reattach the automatic belt: 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see "Seats" in the Index)


so you can sit up straight.


3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.


Don't let it get twisted.


4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.


29


.


. . . . . , ... ...,. q y " ' . , $:,<.,


~ : ..


.. . .


..:i&,> $j.:;&f


r_


.:.:,,:%.


You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder be&'& too loose. In a crash you would move forward too much, which could significantly increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your


,,


What's wrong with this?


A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won't give nearly


as much protection this way.


30


What’s wrong with this?


A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.


31


Q: What’s wrong with this?


I A CAUTION:


You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spieen.


A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should


be worn over the shoulder at all times.


32


&.’ What’s wrong with this?


A: The belt is twisted across the body.


Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) This section explains the driver’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), commonly referred to as an air bag. Here are the most important things to know:


33


34


How The Air Bag System Works


Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks for electrical malfunctions, and the light tells you if there is a problem.


AIR BAG


You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition to “Run” or “Start.” Then the light should go out, which means the system is ready.


Remember, if the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you are driving, your air bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.


Where is the air bag? The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.


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When is an air bag expected to inflate? The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. The air bag will only inflate if the velocity of the impact is above the designed threshold level. When impacting straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for most GM vehicles is between 9 and 15 mph (14 and 23 km/h). However, this velocity threshold depends on the vehicle design and may be several miles-per-hour faster or slower. In addition, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes an object such as a parked car which will move and deform on impact. The air bag is also not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts where the inflation would provide no occupant protection benefit. In any particular crash, the determination of whether the air bag should have inflated cannot be based solely on the level of damage on the vehicle(s). Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle’s deceleration, of which vehicle damage is only one indication. Repair cost is not a good indicator of whether an air bag should have deployed.


What makes an air bag inflate? In a frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the cloth bag. The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware are all part of the air bag inflator module packed inside the steering wheel. How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not provide protection in many types of collisions, including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belt protection in moderate to severe frontal and near-frontal collisions.


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What will you see after an air bag inflation? After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly deflate. This occurs so quickly that some people may not even realize that the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub may be hot for a short time, but the portion of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot to the touch. There will be small amounts of smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bag. The air bag will not impede the driver’s vision or ability to steer the vehicle, nor will it hinder the occupants from exiting the vehicle.


The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include the air bag module and possibly other parts. The service manual has information about the need to replace other parts. Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records information about the air bag system if the air bag deploys during a crash: The module records information about the readiness of the system, which sensors activated the deployment, and whether the driver’s safety belt was in use.


Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.


NOTICE: If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag, it may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag on the steering wheel. Do not open or break the air bag cover.


Is the smoke from an air bag inflation harmful? The particles emitted during air bag inflation are not harmful to most people. Some people with respiratory ailments may .experience difficulty breathing if they stay in the vehicle with the windows closed after air bag inflation. So, if your air bag inflates, you and any passengers should exit the vehicle if and when it is safe to do so. If you or your passengers can’t get out of the vehicle, try to get fresh air by opening a window, turning on the f m , or opening a door.


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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick The air bag affects how your Buick should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your Buick dealer and the 1994 Regal Service Manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.


I A CAUTION:


Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts. A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible throughout the pregnancy.


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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position


@ Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats’’ in the Index) so you can sit up straight. Move your seat far enough forward that your feet touch the part of the car that is called the “toeboard” (A). That way you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt in a crash.


The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt. See “Driver Position,” earlier in this part.


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Center Passenger Position


Lap Belt


When you sit in a center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug.


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1 Rear Seat Passengers (Coupes)


It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions


Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.


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If the belt stops before i.t reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender’’ at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.


Don’t let it get twisted.


2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.


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3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.


The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash. 43


Rear Seat Passengers (Sedans) It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions


-"


Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here's how to wear one properly.


0 To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the


buckle.


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-


.I


If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.


Don’t let it get twisted.


2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.


To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.


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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or a crash.


Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may be equipped with rear shoulder belt comfort guides. This feature will provide added comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for small adults. The comfort guides pull the shoulder belts away from the neck and head.


There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. You will find them tucked in between the seatback and the interior body, about half-way down the edge of the seatback. Here is how you should install the comfort guides on the shoulder belts: 1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip.


2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.


3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The


elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.


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To remove and store the comfort guides, just perform these steps in reverse order. Squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto the clip. Rotate the guide and clip inward and in between the seatback and the interior body, leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed.


Lr


4. Buckle the belt around the child and make sure that


both the lap belt and the shoulder belt are secured properly. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. See “Safety Belts, Rear Seat Passengers” in the Index.


Children


Smaller Children and Babies


Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.


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Top Strap


If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored.


Child Restraints Be sure to follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. The instructions that come with the infant or child restraint will show you how to do that. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at General Motors therefore recommend that you put your child restraint in the rear seat unless the child is an infant and you’re the only adult in the vehicle. In that case, you might want to secure the restraint in the front seat where you can keep an eye on the baby. Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle -- even when no child is in it.


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If you need to have an anchor installed, you can ask your Buick dealer to put it in for you. If you want to install an anchor yourself, your dealer can tell you how to do it. For cars first sold in Canada, child restraints with a top strap must be anchored according to Canadian Law. Your dealer can obtain the hardware kit and install it for you, or you may install it yourself using the instructions provided in the kit. Use the tether hardware kit available from the dealer. The hardware and installation instructions were specifically designed for this vehicle.


Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Position (Coupe Only)


You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier section about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions


for the child restraint.


2. Secure the child in the child restraint as the


instructions say.


3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder


portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.


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4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


5. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while


you push down on the child restraint.


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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Position (Sedan Only)


You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier section about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions


for the child restraint.


2. Secure the child in the child restraint as the


instructions say.


3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder


portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.


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6. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child’restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of


the retractor to set the lock.


4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


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6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt into the


retractor while you push down on the child restraint.


, .


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


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Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position


1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch


plate and pulling it along the belt.


When you secure a chiId restraint in a center seating position, you'll be using the lap belt. See the earlier section about the top strap if the child restraint has one.


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2.


3.


4.


Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions for the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint as the instructions say. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.


5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


6. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push


down on the child restraint.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure. If the child restraint isn’t secure, turn the latch plate over and buckle it again. Then see if it is secure. If it isn’t, secure the restraint in a different place in the vehicle and contact the child restraint maker for their advice about how to attach the child restraint properly.


To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


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Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat


To use a child restraint here, you will need a special infant/child seat attaching belt and the hardware that goes with it. See the earlier section about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Your dealer can get these and install the hardware for you. It’s free. The special belt is GM Part Number 12340286. Your dealer can find the correct hardware in the accessory section of the GM Parts Catalog.


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Once the special hardware is installed, please follow the instructions with it and these steps:


1. Unbuckle the automatic lap-shoulder belt by pushing


the button on the buckle.


2. Snap one hook of the infant/child seat attaching belt


near the floor at the door side of the seat.


It will stay on the door, ready to be rebuckled for use by adults or older children.


3. Put the belt's special latch plate into the vehicle's


safety belt buckle.


4. You can make the belt longer by tilting the buckle


and pulling it along the belt.


.:


5. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions


for the child restraint.


6. Secure the child in the child restraint as the


instructions say.


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