battery BUICK REGAL 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (50,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
9-50 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should. 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 on page 3‑38
andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑38.

Black plate (1,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition 65Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-28
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-34
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (7,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
B. Engine Cover.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
E. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑14. F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
and Cap. See Power Steering
Fluid on page 10‑23.
G. Brake Master Cylinder and Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir
(if equipped with manual
transmission). See Brakes on
page 10‑25 orHydraulic Clutch
on page 10‑14.
H. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10‑27. I. Engine Coolant Reservoir and
Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.

Black plate (9,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
B. Engine Cover.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
E. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑14.
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑25.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir and Cap. See Power Steering
Fluid on page 10‑23.
H. Engine Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
I. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10‑27.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36. K. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
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:
.Always 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 on page 10‑13.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.

Black plate (27,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
If the vehicle has DOT 4 brake fluid,
as indicated on the reservoir cap,
use only new DOT 4 brake fluid
from a sealed container. It is
recommended that the brake/clutch
hydraulic system be flushed and
refilled with new DOT 4 fluid at a
regular maintenance service every
two years. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Always clean the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake/clutch hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake/clutch fluid. Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake/clutch
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on
the vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint finish can
be damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for battery location.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑70 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.

Black plate (28,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑31.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts. 3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch pedal
is pushed down all the way to
the floor. If the vehicle starts
when the clutch pedal is not
pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑31.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the

Black plate (39,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-39
Fuse
Number Usage
53 Ignition, Inside
Rearview Mirror
54 Not Used
55 Power Windows
56 Windshield Washer
57 Not Used
58 Not Used
59 Secondary Air
Induction
60 Heated Mirrors
61 Not Used
62 Canister Vent
Solenoid
63 Not Used
64 Not Used
65 Not Used Fuse
Number Usage
66 Not Used
67 Fuel System Control
Module
68 Not Used
69 Battery Sensor
70 Not Used
71 Not Used
Relay
Number Usage
K1 Not Used
K2 Starter
K3 Cooling Fan (LHU)
K4 Front Wiper (Step 2)
K5 Front Wiper (Step 1,
Interval)
K6 SAI Valve Relay
Number Usage
K7 Main Relay
K8 Not Used
K9 Cooling Fan
(LAF/LHU)
K10 Cooling Fan (LAF) K11 Not Used
K12 Cooling Fan (LHU)
K13 Cooling Fan
(LAF/LHU)
K14 High Intensity
Discharge Lamps
K15 Ignition
K16 Secondary
AIR Pump
K17 Window/Mirror
Defog

Black plate (70,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery on
page 10‑27
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
The jump start negative (A) is the
power steering line fitting and bolt
on the top of the power
steering pump.

Black plate (71,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
2.0L Engine Shown, 2.4L Similar
The jump start positive (B) is
located under a trim cover in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.2.0L Engine Shown, 2.4L Similar
These locations are used instead of
a direct connection to the battery.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged. 2. Position the two vehicles so that
they are not touching.
3. To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking brake.
Notice: If the radio or other
accessories are left on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories when
jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and switch off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.

Black plate (72,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
10-72 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to the jump
start positive (+) post (A). Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
6. Do not let the other end of the red positive (+) cable touch
metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery (B). Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.