1998 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual
1998 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual 1998 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual
Steering in EmergenciesThere are times when steering can be more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill andfind a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pullsout from nowhere, or a child darts out from betweenparked cars and stops right in front of you. You canavoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop intime. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’sthe time for evasive action -- steering aroundthe problem.Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies likethese. First apply your brakes. (See “BrakingEmergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better toremove as much speed as you can from a possiblecollision. Then steer around the problem, to the left orright depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and aquick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel atthe recornended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you canturn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removingeither hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, andjust as quickly straighten the wheel once you haveavoided the object.The fact that such emergency situations are alwayspossible is a good reason to practice defensive drivingall times and wear safety belts properly.4-11
Off-Road RecoveryYou may find that your right wheels have dropped off theedge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.OFF-ROAD RECOVEedge of paved surfweIf the level of the shoulder is only slightly below thepavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off theaccelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steerso that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turnuntil the right front tire contacts the pavement edge.Then turn your steering wheel to go straight downthe roadway.4-12PassingThe driver of a vehicle about to pass another on atwo-lane highway waits for just the right moment,accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goesback into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lanehighway is a potentially dangerous move, since thepassing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncomingtraffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error injudgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger cansuddenly put the passing driver face to face with theworst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.So here are some tips for passing:“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides and tocrossroads for situations that might affect your passingpatterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever aboutmaking a successful pass, wait for a better time.Watch for trac signs, paverr t markings # - - - 1 lines.If you can see a sign up aheau mat might inuGate aturn or an intersection, delay your pass. A brokencenter line usually indicates it’s all right to pass(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solidline on your side of the lane or a double solid line,even if the road seems empty of approaching &a&.
- Page 127 and 128: Your velucle’s engine should be t
- Page 129 and 130: The Instrument Panel2-62
- Page 131 and 132: Instrument Panel ClusterYour vehicl
- Page 133 and 134: Warning Lights, Gagesand Indicators
- Page 135 and 136: 5 System Warning Lightyour vehicle
- Page 137 and 138: The traction control system warning
- Page 139 and 140: Malfunction Indicator Lamp(Service
- Page 141 and 142: Oil Pressure LightThis light tells
- Page 143 and 144: Here are some concerns some owners
- Page 145 and 146: Comfort ControlsThis section descri
- Page 147 and 148: Manual OperationThe ventilation sys
- Page 149 and 150: Adjust the direction of airflow by
- Page 151 and 152: The lines you see on therear window
- Page 153 and 154: Adjust the temperature using the CO
- Page 155 and 156: Setting the ToneBASS: Press this kn
- Page 157 and 158: CLN: If this message appears on the
- Page 159 and 160: Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feat
- Page 161 and 162: Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Opti
- Page 163 and 164: 3-20
- Page 165 and 166: @% NOTES3-22
- Page 167 and 168: @% NOTES3-24
- Page 169 and 170: Defensive DrivingThe best advice an
- Page 171: 4-4
- Page 174 and 175: Anti-Lock BrakesYour vehicle has an
- Page 176 and 177: If your vehicle is in cruise contro
- Page 180 and 181: e Check your mirrors, glance over y
- Page 182 and 183: Driving at Night....AWhat you do in
- Page 184 and 185: ........... ~ ---IDriving too fast
- Page 186 and 187: Citv DrivingHere are ways to increa
- Page 188 and 189: The exit speed is usually posted.Re
- Page 190 and 191: If you drive regularly in steep cou
- Page 192 and 193: Driving on Snow or IceMost of the t
- Page 194 and 195: If you are stopped by heavy snow, y
- Page 198 and 199: Electronic Level ControlThis featur
- Page 200 and 201: Weight of the Trailer ’lneueThe t
- Page 202 and 203: Following DistanceStay at least twi
- Page 204 and 205: When You Are Ready to Leave AfterPa
- Page 206 and 207: Section 5 Problems on the RoadHere
- Page 208 and 209: Other Warning DevicesIf you carry r
- Page 210 and 211: A CAUTION:Using a match near a batt
- Page 212 and 213: Don’t let the other end touch any
- Page 214 and 215: \ CAUTION:A vehicle can fall from a
- Page 216 and 217: These slots are to be used when loa
- Page 218: Attach a separate safety chain arou
- Page 221 and 222: The coolant level should be at or a
- Page 223 and 224: If the overheat warning continues,
- Page 225 and 226: 4. Then fill the coolsuit recovery
- Page 227 and 228: Changing a Flat TireIf a tire goes
Off-Road RecoveryYou may find that your right wheels have dropped off theedge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.OFF-ROAD RECOVEedge of paved surfweIf the level of the shoulder is only slightly below thepavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off theaccelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steerso that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turnuntil the right front tire contacts the pavement edge.Then turn your steering wheel to go straight downthe roadway.4-12PassingThe driver of a vehicle about to pass another on atwo-lane highway waits for just the right moment,accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goesback into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lanehighway is a potentially dangerous move, since thepassing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncomingtraffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error injudgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger cansuddenly put the passing driver face to face with theworst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.So here are some tips for passing:“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides and tocrossroads for situations that might affect your passingpatterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever aboutmaking a successful pass, wait for a better time.Watch for trac signs, paverr t markings # - - - 1 lines.If you can see a sign up aheau mat might inuGate aturn or an intersection, delay your pass. A brokencenter line usually indicates it’s all right to pass(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solidline on your side of the lane or a double solid line,even if the road seems empty of approaching &a&.