1996 Buick Regal Owner's Manual - Page 87

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force onthe parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called "torque lock."To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's seat. To find out how, see "Shifting Into PARK (P)" in the Index. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) bqfore you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the transaxle, so you can pull .the shift lever outof PARK (P). It can be dangerous toleave your vehicle with the enginerunning. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever not fully in PARK (P) is with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You or others could be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the engine runningunless you have to. If you have to leave your vehicle with engine the running, be sure your vehicleis in PARK (P) and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you've moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, seeif you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the console shift lever, without first pushing the button). If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).