Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Driving and Operating 227
The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer
types, such as boat trailers, fall
outside of this range. Always refer
to the trailer owner’s manual for the
recommended trailer tongue weight
for each trailer. Never exceed the
maximum loads for your vehicle,
hitch and trailer.
After loading the trailer, separately
weigh the trailer and then the trailer
tongue to see if the weights are
appropriate for your vehicle. If the
trailer weight is too high, it may be
possible to transfer some of the
cargo into your vehicle. If the trailer tongue weight is too high or too low,
it may be possible to rearrange
some of the cargo inside of the
trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your
vehicle. Use the shortest hitch
extension available to position the
hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This
will help reduce the effect of the
trailer tongue weight on the trailer
hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than
half of the maximum allowable
tongue weight for the vehicle.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.
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. See
Engine
Exhaust 0183.
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.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
228 Driving and Operating
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 Tires0265 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 antilock 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
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Driving and Operating 229
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).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) 0119.
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 070 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 070.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
310 Vehicle Care
GM recommends a flatbed tow truck
to transport a disabled vehicle. Use
ramps to help reduce approach
angles, if necessary. A towed
vehicle should have its drive wheels
off the ground. Contact a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
The vehicle is equipped with
specific attachment points to be
used by the towing provider. These
holes may be used to pull the
vehicle from a flat road surface onto
the flatbed tow truck.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
. What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
. Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Service and Maintenance 323
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 171.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Turbo
Engine) 0217 or
Recommended Fuel (3.6L
Engine) 0217. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.
Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0232.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Index 375
TowingDriving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 221
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 221
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 310
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Traction Control System(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . 125
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 192
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 257U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 282
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 143
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 336
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Care Storing the Tire Sealantand Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . 284
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . 77
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33