2011 BUICK REGAL Owner's Manual

Black plate (35,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
dflashes to indicate that TCS is
active. See Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑18 for more information.
If there is a problem detected
with TCS, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑29. When this message
is displayed and
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system.
To reset:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine. If
dstill comes on and stays on, the
vehicle needs service.
Notice: Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
With Interactive Drive Control
System
Without Interactive Drive Control
System
TCS can be turned off by pressing
and releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button. When TCS is turned off,
i
comes on, and the appropriate DIC
message also displays. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑29. With TCS turned off, the
system does not limit wheel slip.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. See Traction Off Light
on page 5‑18 for more information.

Black plate (36,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
Press and release the
TCS/StabiliTrak button again
to turn the system back on.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeIf the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑11 for
more information. See also Winter
Driving on page 9‑9 for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy
or icy conditions.
Adding non‐GM accessories can
affect the vehicle performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3 for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle may have a vehicle
stability enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer-controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions. StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure to the
vehicle brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started.
To assist with directional control
of the vehicle, the system should
always be left on.
When StabiliTrak activates,
d
flashes on the instrument panel.
A noise may be heard or vibration
may be felt in the brake pedal.
This is normal. Continue to steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
See
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑18 for
more information. If a problem is detected with
StabiliTrak, SERVICE
STABILITRAK is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑29. When this message
is displayed and
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system.
To reset:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on, the
vehicle needs service.

Black plate (37,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37
With Interactive Drive ControlSystemWithout Interactive Drive Control System
.To turn off both StabiliTrak and
TCS, press and hold the TCS/
StabiliTrak button, located on the
instrument panel, until
iandg
illuminate and the appropriate
DIC message is displayed.
SeeRide Control System
Messages on page 5‑29. When StabiliTrak is turned off,
the system will not assist with
directional control of the vehicle
or limit wheel spin. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.
See
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light on
page 5‑18 for more information.
.Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button again to turn
the system back on.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, cruise control
will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑39 for more information.

Black plate (38,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
Interactive Drive Control
System
The vehicle may have the
Interactive Drive Control System
(IDCS). IDCS adapts to the driving
style and preference of the driver
within one of three driving modes:
Standard:Use for normal city
and highway driving. This setting
provides precise, comfortable
handling. This is a fully automatic
mode for city and highway driving. Tour:
Use for long-distance
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride. Press
and release the TOUR button and
the light on the button comes on.
This mode provides a comfortable,
smooth ride. Press the button again
and the system returns to the
Standard mode.
Sport: Use where personal
preference or road conditions
demand more control. This setting
provides responsive, controlled
handling. Press and release
the SPORT button. The light
on the button comes on, and the
appropriate message displays on
the DIC. Press the button again.
The system returns to the Standard
mode and the appropriate message
displays on the DIC.
IDCS automatically comes on in the
Standard mode when the vehicle is
started. When the Sport and Tour
modes are turned off, the system
returns to the Standard mode.
Standard Mode
.The shock absorbers allow a
normal ride.
.The powertrain reacts normally
to the accelerator pedal.
.Power steering assistance is
normal.
Tour Mode
.The shock absorbers allow a
softer ride.
.The powertrain reacts normally
to the accelerator pedal.
.Power steering assistance is
normal.
Sport Mode
.The shock absorbers stiffen to
provide better contact with the
road surface.
.The powertrain reacts more
quickly to the accelerator pedal.
.Power steering assistance is
reduced.

Black plate (39,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
Drive Mode Control
Drive Mode Control (DMC) analyzes
the driving style and the active state
of the vehicle and automatically
changes the settings within the
selected driving mode. When there
is a more noticeable change in
driving style or conditions, the
driving mode is changed to Sport
until the previous driving style
returns.
If Standard mode is selected and
sport driving is detected, several
settings of the Standard mode
change to sport settings. If sport
driving increases, DMC changes to
Sport mode.
If Tour mode is selected and sudden
braking or cornering is necessary,
DMC changes the suspension
settings to Sport mode to increase
vehicle stability.
When the driving characteristic or
the active state of the vehicle
returns to the previous style, DMC
changes the settings to the
preselected driving mode.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
On vehicles with the Traction
Control System (TCS) or the
Stabilitrak
®system may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑34 or
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑36.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the steering wheel.

Black plate (40,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
1(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
An indicator light will turn on or off in
the instrument panel cluster.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate):
Move the thumbwheel up to make
the vehicle resume to a previously
set speed or to accelerate.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed or
to make the vehicle decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Press
1to turn cruise
control on.
2. Get to the speed desired. 3. Move the thumbwheel down
toward SET/− and release it.
The desired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument panel
cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ briefly. The vehicle returns to
the previous set speed and stays
there. Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small amounts, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly and then release it. Each
time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph)
faster.

Black plate (41,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-41
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− briefly. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise control speed. Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain
the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to maintain
the vehicle speed. When the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal
or clutch to disengage cruise
control.
.Press*on the steering wheel.
.Press1on the steering wheel
to turn off the cruise control.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
the
1button or if the ignition is
turned off.

Black plate (42,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
it assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph),
and the sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 1.5 m (5 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
25 cm (10 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, under the vehicle,
or too close or far from the
vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing up,
vehicle damage, injury, or death
could occur. Even with URPA,
always check behind the vehicle
before backing up. While backing
up, be sure to look for objects and
check the vehicle's mirrors.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeps are
continuous.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below trunk level. Objects must
also be within 1.5 m (5 ft) from the
rear bumper. The distance at which
objects can be detected may be
less during warmer or humid
weather.