Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
244 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 245
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 246
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 253
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 255
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 260
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Battery - North America . . . . . . 264
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 265
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 265
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 266
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 267
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 270
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 271
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 272
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 297
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
Vehicle Care 245
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 318
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
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 0264
and Jump Starting - North America
0 319 and the back cover.
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246 Vehicle Care
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 088.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s 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
Publication Ordering Information
0 361.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 088.
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1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 261.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0251.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0251.
4. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 256
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0263.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0255.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0256.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0319.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0273.
10. Remote Negative (-) Ground Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0319.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 0253.
. 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
0248 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
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Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
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256 Vehicle Care
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstallthe filter cover housing.
3.6L V6 Engine
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter: 1. Remove the seven screws on top of the engine air cleaner/
filter housing.
2. Lift the filter cover housing away from the engine air
cleaner/filter housing.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. 5. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall
the filter cover housing.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. Use caution
when working on the engine. Do
not start the engine or drive the
vehicle with the air cleaner/filter
off, as flames may be present if
the engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
When it is safe to lift the hood:
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
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Vehicle Care 257
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for five years
or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0260.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
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258 Vehicle Care
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
(Continued)