2018 BUICK REGAL tow

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
232 Driving and Operating
.Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) of vehicle
use to prevent damage to the
engine, axle, or other parts.
. During the first 800 km (500 mi)
of trailer towing, do not drive
over 80 km/h (50 mph) and do
not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
If the transmission downshifts
too often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode
See Manual Mode 0196.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Parking Assist
. Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB) If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
.
Forward Automatic Braking
System (FAB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer: . Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0193.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Driving and Operating 233
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must be all be rated to
carry the intended cargo.
Inadequate trailer equipment can
cause the combination to operate in
an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. SeeTowing
Equipment 0237. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are
secure and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can
help to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
234 Driving and Operating
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0256.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible. When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0332. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 256.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Driving and Operating 235
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer. Before towing a trailer, always
separately weigh:
.
total weight on the vehicle’s tires
. the trailer
. the trailer tongue
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The
vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, see Vehicle
Load Limits 0183. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer attached, the trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the weight the
vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The trailer should never weigh more
than 454 kg (1,000 lb). The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer may be lower based on the
weight of the passengers and cargo
in your trailer.
The maximum trailer weight rating is
calculated assuming only the driver
is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment.
The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum trailer
weight.
Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating is the allowable
trailer tongue weight that the vehicle
can support using a conventional
trailer hitch. It may be necessary to
reduce the overall trailer weight to

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Driving and Operating 237
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by,
and rough roads can affect the
trailer and the hitch.
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Always seal any holes in your
vehicle if the trailer hitch removed.
If not sealed, dirt, water, and carbon
monoxide (CO) from the exhaust
may enter your vehicle. SeeEngine
Exhaust 0193.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Tires
. Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0274 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent
the tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their own
braking system if the loaded weight
of the trailer exceeds certain
minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. Never attempt
to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the
vehicle anti-lock brakes and the
trailer brakes may not function,
which could result in a crash.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Vehicle Care 241
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 314
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0260
and Jump Starting - North America
0 315 and the back cover.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Vehicle Care 247
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 257.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0247.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0247.
4. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 252
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0259.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0251.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0252.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0315.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0268.
10. Remote Negative (-) Ground Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0315.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0249.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0244 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
248 Vehicle Care
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
V6 Engine Shown, L4 Engine
Similar
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See
“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0344.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 244 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0340.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.