2019 BUICK REGAL SPORTBACK steering

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
164 Lighting
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor; otherwise the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned to
Oor the ignition
is off.
Adaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL)
If equipped, the AFL pivots the
headlamps horizontally to provide
greater road illumination while
turning. To enable AFL, set the
exterior lamp control to the AUTO
position. Moving the switch out of
the AUTO position deactivates the
system. AFL operates when the
vehicle speed is greater than 3 km/h
(2 mph). AFL does not operate
when the transmission is in
R (Reverse). AFL is not immediately
operable after starting the vehicle;
driving a short distance is required
to calibrate the AFL. See Exterior
Lamp Controls 0162.
LED Headlamp System
This system automatically controls
the LED headlamps light intensity
and distribution based on the
lighting condition, road type, and
driving situation. The vehicle adapts
the headlamps automatically to
enable optimal lighting while driving.
The Intelligent Light Distribution
feature can be enabled or disabled. See
“Adaptive Forward Lighting”
under Vehicle Personalization
0 153.
The following lighting functions are
available when the exterior lamp
control is in the AUTO or
5
position.
Curve Lighting
Certain LEDs turn on automatically
to improve lighting in curves. This is
based on the steering wheel
position and vehicle speeds from
40 km/h (25 mph) to 70 km/h
(43 mph).
Corner Lighting
If equipped with cornering lamps,
certain LEDs automatically come on
when all of the following occur:
. The turn signals are activated or
the steering wheel is at a
calibrated angle.
. The vehicle is traveling up to a
speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
166 Lighting
Fog Lamps
The fog lamps button is on the
instrument panel to left of the
steering wheel.
To turn on the fog lamps, the ignition
and the headlamps or parking lamps
must be on.
If the fog lamps are turned on while
the exterior lamp control is in the
AUTO position, the headlamps
come on automatically.
9:Press to turn on or off. An
indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the fog
lamps are on.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The brightness of the instrument
cluster display, infotainment display
and controls, steering wheel
controls, and all other illuminated
controls, as well as feature status
indicators can be adjusted.
The knob for this feature is on the
instrument panel beside the steering
column.
Press to extend the knob, then turn
it clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the lights.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are in the
overhead console.
To operate, press the following
buttons:
jOFF : Press to turn off the
dome lamps when a door is
open. An indicator light on the
button will turn on when the
dome lamp override is activated.
Press
jOFF again to deactivate
this feature and the indicator light
will turn off. The dome lamps will
come on when doors are opened.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
178 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 183
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 183
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 190
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 198
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 202
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 204
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Selective Ride Control (GS Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 210
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 217
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 219
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 227
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 229
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Recommended Fuel (3.6L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 233
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
Driving and Operating 179
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information(Hatchback Models) . . . . . . . . . 235
General Towing Information (Station Wagon Models) . . . . . 235
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
180 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts071.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you. .
Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
. Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
Driving and Operating 181
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Variable Effort Steering
The vehicle has a steering system
that varies the amount of effort
required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.
Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
182 Driving and Operating
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.
Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12163021) -
2019 - CRC - 11/14/18
184 Driving and Operating
{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.
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 assist. 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, crash).
. 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 0205. .
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0202.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0356. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe: