
Black plate (29,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-29
Always clean the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake/clutch hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake/clutch fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake/clutch
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12‐volt
battery. Refer to the replacement
number on the original battery label
when a new standard 12‐volt battery
is needed.
eAssist vehicles also have a high
voltage battery. Only a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the high voltage
battery. See your dealer if the high
voltage battery needs service. The
dealer has information on how to
recycle the high voltage battery.
There is also information available
at http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
The eAssist system high voltage
battery is cooled with air drawn from
the vehicle interior. The cold air
intake for the battery is located
behind the rear seat, on the filler
panel. Do not cover the intake.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.

Black plate (3,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services‐Severe chart.
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑11.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑52.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑58.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑25.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑13.

Black plate (4,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. SeeTire
Rotation on page 10‑58.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11 andEngine
Oil Life System on page 10‑13.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑25.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑98. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑32.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑52.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑58.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑98.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑20.

Black plate (10,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if
they squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians
can inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled. Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi‐point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.

Black plate (13,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑11.
Engine Coolant (Except Vehicles with eAssist) 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
Engine Coolant (Vehicles with eAssist) Always use the pre‐mixed 50/50 mixture of deionized water and
DEX-COOL Coolant available at your dealer.
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System
(Vehicles with DOT 3 brake fluid) DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System
(Vehicles with DOT 4 brake fluid) DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (2.4L Engine) DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (2.0L Engine) Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19256039, in
Canada 19256040).
Manual Transmission See your dealer.

Black plate (15,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-15
Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 55560894 A3128C
Engine Oil Filter
2.0L L4 Engine 12605566 PF457G
2.4L L4 Engine 12605566 PF457G
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Element 13271191 CF176
Spark Plugs
2.0L L4 Engine 12620540 41–108
2.4L L4 Engine 12620540 41–108
Wiper Blades
Driver Side –60.0 cm (23.62 in) 13227404 —
Passenger Side –45.0 cm (17.7 in) 13227405 —

Black plate (2,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
12-2 Technical Data
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Engine Cooling System 2.0L L4 Engine 7.8 L 8.2 qt
2.4L L4 Engine 7.1 L 7.5 qt
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L L4 Engine 6.0 L 6.3 qt
2.4L L4 Engine 4.7 L 5.0 qt
Fuel Tank
2.0L L4 LHU Engine 70.4 L 18.6 gal
2.4L L4 LEA Engine 70.4 L 18.6 gal
2.4L L4 LUK Engine 59.8 L 15.8 gal

Black plate (4,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2012
i-4 INDEX
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . 5-19
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Electrical System Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Emergency, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-31 Engine (cont'd)
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-28
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-19
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
F
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-103 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-14
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Power Steering . . . . . . 10-24, 10-25
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . 10-35, 6-4
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-47
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-23