Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
178 Driving and Operating
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With the Keyless Accesssystem, the RKE transmitter
must be in the vehicle. Press
ENGINE START/STOP with the
brake pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go
of the button.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it.
If the RKE transmitter is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the RKE
battery is low, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display a message. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
08.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you press ENGINE START/
STOP, for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button and
the accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops
again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from
the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start
system to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has components
designed for the increased number
of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start
feature causes the engine to shut
off while the vehicle is still on. Do
not exit the vehicle before shifting
to P (Park). The vehicle may
(Continued)
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Driving and Operating 179
Warning (Continued)
restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then
turn the ignition off before exiting
the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See Tachometer
0 113. When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator pedal is
pressed, the engine will restart.
To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the
engine to automatically restart
before the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or
auto restarts may occur because:
. The climate control settings
require the engine to be running
to cool or heat the vehicle
interior. .
The vehicle battery charge
is low.
. The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop.
. The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive).
. Tow/Haul Mode or other driver
modes have been selected.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
. The driver door has been
opened or driver seat belt has
been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened. .
The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater,
if available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the
vehicle. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
182 Driving and Operating
done properly; then it is difficult to
shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see“Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, the
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to
prevent movement of the shift lever
out of P (Park) unless the ignition is
in on and the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0306. To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
The vehicle’s engine may be
equipped with Active Fuel
Management, which allows the
engine to operate on either all of its
cylinders, or in reduced cylinder
operation, depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
reduced operation mode, allowing
the vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
188 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 122. ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
can always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied
or released.
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
230 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 231
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 232
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 240
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 242
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 247
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Battery - North America . . . . . . 251
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 252
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 252
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 253
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 254
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 255
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 257
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 258
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 259
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 284
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Vehicle Care 231
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 305
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
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 0251
and
Jump Starting - North America
0 306 and the back cover.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
236 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0242.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0238.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0238.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 243.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0250.
6. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery - North America 0251.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0243.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0306.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0259.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 248.
11. Remote Negative (-) Ground Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0306.