2016 BUICK REGAL maintenance

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
214 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. When
driving in the U.S. and Canada, to
help keep the engine clean and
maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend using
TOP TIER Detergent Gasolines.
See www.toptiergas.com for a list of
TOP TIER Detergent Gasolines.
If the vehicle has a 2.4L L4 engine,
use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. Do not use gasoline with anoctane rating below 87, as it may
cause engine damage and will lower
fuel economy.
If the vehicle has the 2.0L L4 turbo
engine, use premium unleaded
gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher can be used,
but acceleration and fuel economy
will be reduced, and an audible
knocking noise may be heard. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 91 octane rating or
higher, the engine needs service.
Use of Seasonal Fuels
Use summer and winter fuels in the
appropriate season. The fuels
industry automatically modifies the
fuel for the appropriate season.
If fuel is left in the vehicle tank for
long periods of time, driving or
starting could be affected. Drive the
vehicle until the fuel is at one-half
tank or less, then refuel with the
current seasonal fuel.
Prohibited Fuels
Gasolines containing oxygenates
such as ethers and ethanol, as well
as reformulated gasolines, are
available in some cities. If these
gasolines comply with the
previously described specification,
then they are acceptable to use.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must be used only in
FlexFuel vehicles.
Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines, mainly high octane
racing gasolines, can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
218 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0116.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 073 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 074.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
222 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering
Information 0331.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Airbag System
Check 074.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0317.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull up on the hood release
handle with this symbol on it.
It is inside the vehicle on the
lower driver side of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary hood
release handle. The handle is
under the front edge of the
hood near the center. Push the
handle to the right and at the
same time raise the hood.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly.
2. Lower the hood 30 cm (12 in) above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Vehicle Care 231
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:1. Using the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel,
display REMAINING OIL LIFE
on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level Cluster) 0125 orDriver
Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel Cluster) 0127. When
remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the
display. See Engine Oil
Messages 0134. 2. Press
Von the DIC controls
and hold down for a few
seconds to clear the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
and reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil
life display accidentally at any
time other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer.
Contact your dealer for additional
information. The procedure can be
found in the service manual. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information
0331.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 305, and be sure to use the fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0315.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 223 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
232 Vehicle Care
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, seeMaintenance
Schedule 0305.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
1. Screws
2. Electrical Connector
3. Air Duct Clamp
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Disconnect the outlet duct by loosening the air duct
clamp (3).
2. Disconnect the electrical connector (2).
3. Remove the screws (1) on top of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing. 4. Lift the filter cover housing
away from the air cleaner/filter
housing.
5. Pull out the filter.
6. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
7. Reverse Steps 2-4 to reinstall the filter cover housing.
2.4L L4 Engine without eAssist
Shown, 2.4L L4 Engine with eAssist Similar
1. Screws
2. Air Duct Clamp
3. Electrical Connector

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Vehicle Care 241
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0117.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0305.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0315.{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
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.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
242 Vehicle Care
The eAssist system high voltage
battery is cooled with air drawn from
the vehicle interior. The cold air
intake for the battery is behind the
rear seat, on the filler panel. Do not
cover the intake.
{Warning
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. SeeCalifornia
Proposition 65 Warning 0220.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America (with or without
eAssist) 0289 orJump Starting -
North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0288 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt. Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
244 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
. To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
It is a good idea to clean the wiper
blade assembly on a regular basis.
When worn, or when cleaning is
ineffective, replace the wiper blade.
For proper windshield wiper blade
length and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0316.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage
the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not allow
the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
To replace the wiper blade: 1. Pull the wiper assembly away from the windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the
middle of the wiper blade
where the wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to
release it from the J-hooked
end of the wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.