Buick 1999 Riviera User manual

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The 1999 Buick Riviera Owner’s Manual
1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
2-1 Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
4-1 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
5-1 Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
6-1 Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7-1 Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
8-1 Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-9.
9-1 Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK,
the BUICK Emblem and the name RIVIERA 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 vehicle, 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.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9
Litho in U.S.A.
E
Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998
Part No. 25685485 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If
you do this, it 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.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the 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.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage 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
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

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For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

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✍NOTES

1-
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1-1
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2 Seats and Seat Controls
1-8 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
1-12 Here are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts -- and the Answers
1-13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-13 Driver Position
1-20 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-21 Right Front Passenger Position
1-21 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
1-28 Center Passenger Position
1-29 Rear Seat Passengers
1-33 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults
1-36 Children
1-39 Child Restraints
1-52 Larger Children
1-55 Safety Belt Extender
1-55 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-56 Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

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1-2
Seats and Seat Controls
This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust
them, and also about memory seats, reclining seatbacks
and head restraints.
Power Seats
The power seat controls are located on the side of the
driver’s and passenger’s seats.
D Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by
holding the front part of the horizontal control up
or down.
D Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by
holding the rear part of the horizontal control up
or down.
D Raise or lower the entire seat cushion by holding the
whole horizontal control up or down.
D Move the seat forward or back by holding the
horizontal control to the front or back.
Power Lumbar Control (Option)
If you have this option, the driver’s and passenger’s
seatback lumbar support can be adjusted by moving the
single switch located on the side of the seat. To increase or
decrease support, hold the switch forward or rearward.

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1-3
Memory Seat and Mirrors (Option)
The memory function controls the driver’s seat cushion
and outside mirror positions. It does not store the lumbar
or recline positions.
To set your memory seat and mirrors:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat cushion to your desired
position. Adjust both outside mirrors to suit you. See
“Mirrors” in the Index.
2. Press the SET button and then press the 1 or 2 side
of the MEMORY switch within five seconds. You
will hear one beep when you press the SET button
and two beeps when you press the MEMORY button
to confirm that the mirror and seat positions are
entered into memory.
When your vehicle is in PARK (P) with the ignition on
or off, press the same side of the MEMORY switch to
recall the seat and mirror setting.
To do the same thing for a second driver, follow the
preceding steps, but press the other side of the
MEMORY switch.
The EXIT button allows you to get out of the car easily.
When the gear shift selector is in PARK (P) with the
ignition on or off, push EXIT and the seat will go all the
way down and back.

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Memory Seat and Mirrors Personal Choice
Feature (Option)
The remote keyless entry transmitters can also be
programmed to move the driver’s seat and outside
mirrors to a set memory position when the transmitter’s
UNLOCK button is pressed.
To program the system:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat cushion to a comfortable
position. Adjust both outside mirrors to suit you. See
“Power Remote Control Mirror” in the Index.
2. Press the SET button on the driver’s door armrest.
You will hear one beep.
3. Within five seconds, press one of the two memory
buttons on the armrest. You will hear two beeps to
confirm that the mirror and the seat positions are
entered into memory.
4. Press the UNLOCK button on the appropriate
transmitter within five seconds. You will hear
two beeps.
The second transmitter can be programmed to record
a different seat and mirror position by following the
same steps.
If you prefer to program the exit seat position, which
moves the seat completely down and back, follow
these steps:
1. Press the SET button on the driver’s door armrest.
You will hear one beep.
2. Press the EXIT button on the armrest. You will hear
one beep, but the seat will not move at this time.
3. Press the UNLOCK button on the appropriate
transmitter within five seconds. You will hear
two beeps.
This personal choice feature will work only when the
vehicle is in PARK (P). A beep will sound inside the
vehicle when the UNLOCK button on the transmitter is
pressed to move the seat and mirrors.
To turn this feature off, press SET and then UNLOCK
within five seconds.