Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Instruments and Controls 115
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF for several
seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the
status indicator will light either ON
or OFF to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag.
If the word ON is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag is allowed
to inflate.
If the word OFF is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0114 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine
is started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Driving and Operating 169
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0253.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident). .
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0192.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Vehicle Care 275
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{Warning
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust 0185.
{Warning
Overinflating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions
and inflate the tire to its
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
recommended pressure. Do not
exceed the recommended
pressure.
{Warning
Storing the tire sealant and
compressor kit or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store the tire
sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit, there may not be a
spare tire and tire changing
equipment, and on some vehicles
there may not be a place to store
a tire.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
278 Vehicle Care
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (6)onto the tire valve stem. Turn it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (8) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0101.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a
cigarette lighter, use the
cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using
the air compressor.
8. Press and turn the selector switch (1) counterclockwise to
the Sealant + Air position.
9. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire. The pressure gauge (3) will
initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes
the sealant into the tire. Once
the sealant is completely
dispersed into the tire, the
pressure will quickly drop and
start to rise again as the tire
inflates with air only.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the pressure
gauge (3). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0261.
The pressure gauge (3) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may
be turned on/off until the
correct pressure is reached.Caution
If the recommended pressure
cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0326.
11. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will
continue to leak air until the
vehicle is driven and the
sealant is distributed in the tire;
therefore, Steps 12–18 must be
done immediately after
Step 11.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
280 Vehicle Care
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers 0152. See
If a Tire Goes Flat 0273 for
other important safety warnings.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor
Kit 0281.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (7) and the power plug (8).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem
is positioned close to the
ground so the hose will
reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning
it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (7) onto the tire valve stem by
turning it clockwise until it is
tight.
6. Plug the power plug (8) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0101. If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a
cigarette lighter, use the
cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using
the air compressor.
8. Press and turn the selector switch (1) clockwise to the Air
Only position.
9. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the compressor on.
The compressor will inflate the
tire with air only.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the pressure
gauge (3). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0261.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Vehicle Care 281
The pressure gauge (3) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate reading. The
compressor may be turned on/
off until the correct pressure is
reached.
If you inflate the tire higher
than the recommended
pressure you can adjust the
excess pressure by pressing
the pressure deflation
button (4), if equipped, until the
proper pressure reading is
reached. This option is only
functional when using the air
only hose (7).
11. Press the on/off button (2) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
Be careful while handling the
tire sealant and compressor kit
as it could be warm after
usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (8) from the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle. 13. Disconnect the air only hose
(7) from the tire valve stem by
turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the air only hose (7) and the power plug (8) and
cord back in their original
locations.
15. Place the equipment in the original storage location in the
vehicle.
The tire sealant and compressor kit
has an accessory adapter in a
compartment on the bottom of its
housing that may be used to inflate
air mattresses, balls, etc.
Removal and Installation of the
Sealant Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unwrap the sealant hose.
2. Press the canister release button (9).
3. Pull up and remove the canister.
4. Replace with a new canister which is available from your
dealer.
5. Push the new canister into place.
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit
To access the tire sealant and
compressor kit:
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk 038.
2. Lift the cover.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
292 Vehicle Care
5. Connect the other end of thepositive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the
good battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
6. Connect one end of the black negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the
good battery.
7. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to the
negative (–) grounding point for
the discharged battery.
8. Start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine at
idle speed for at least
four minutes.
9. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.Caution
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do
not touch each other or other
metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle
and removing the jumper cables,
allow it to idle for several minutes.
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed on a wheel
lift tow truck. A flatbed car carrier
could damage the vehicle. The
wheel lift tow truck must raise the
rear of the vehicle and wheel dollies
must be used to lift the front wheels
off the ground.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Index 349
E
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 118
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 249
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 223
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Cooling System Messages . . . 133
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Engine (cont'd)
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 185
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 334
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 150
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 150
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 152
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 231
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Fluid (cont'd)
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 153, 246
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 122
Requirements, California . . . . . 215
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 134