airbag BUICK REGAL 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (1,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Buick Regal Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15 Seats and Restraints
. . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-31 Lighting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Black plate (4,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
iv Introduction
WarningorCaution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-7
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 1-9
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-10
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-13
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-14
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 1-16
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-16
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-18
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-18
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-19
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Black plate (3,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑4.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑4.
B. Air Vents on page 8‑4.
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑3.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑22.
D. Cruise Control on page 9‑39.
E. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑8.
F. Horn on page 5‑2.
Driver Airbag. See Where Are
the Airbags? on page 3‑29.
G. Driver Information Center Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑22.
H. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2. I.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.
J. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
K. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑34/ StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑36 (If
Equipped).
Interactive Drive Control
System on page 9‑38
(If Equipped).
L. Info Display. See Operation on
page 7‑4.
M. Power Door Locks on page 2‑5.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑3.
N. Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑42.
O. Front Passenger Airbag. See Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑29.
P. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5. Q. Data Link Connector (Out of
View). See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5‑13.
R. Instrument Panel Fuse Block on
page 10‑40.
Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
S. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9‑17.
U. Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8.
V. Storage Compartment.
W. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑25 or
Manual Transmission on
page 9‑29.
X. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
Y. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

Black plate (8,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
1-8 In Brief
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag
The passenger sensing system
turns off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and the seat‐mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags and
roof‐rail airbags are not affected by
the passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 5‑12for more information.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle
is started.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Controls for the outside power
mirrors are located on the
driver door.
1. Turn the control knob to the L (left) or R (right) selecting the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Push the control knob to the left, right, up, or down to adjust the
mirror.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑11.
Interior Mirror
The vehicle has an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature and the indicator light come
on each time the ignition is turned to
start.
SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑11.

Black plate (1,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-5
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Rear SeatPass-Through Door . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-26
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-29
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32 Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-38
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-39
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-45
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-48
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat) . . . . 3-59

Black plate (14,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
3-14 Seats and Restraints
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, whyshould I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts —not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection. That is true not
only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other
collisions.
Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home,
why should I wear safety
belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver,
but if you are in a crash —even
one that is not your fault —you
and your passenger(s) can be
hurt. Being a good driver does
not protect you from things
beyond your control, such as
bad drivers. Most accidents occur within
40 km (25 mi) of home. And the
greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at
speeds of less than 65 km/h
(40 mph).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
Be aware that there are special
things to know about safety belts
and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and
infants. If a child will be riding in the
vehicle, see
Older Children on
page 3‑40 orInfants and Young
Children on page 3‑43. Follow those
rules for everyone's protection.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts. Occupants who are not buckled up
can be thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash. And they can strike others in
the vehicle who are wearing safety
belts.
First, before you or your
passenger(s) wear a safety belt,
there is important information you
should know.
Sit up straight and always keep your
feet on the floor in front of you. The
lap part of the belt should be worn
low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash, this
applies force to the strong pelvic

Black plate (20,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
3-20 Seats and Restraints
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt
height adjuster for the driver and
right front passenger seating
positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder
portion of the belt is on the shoulder
and not falling off of it. The belt
should be close to, but not
contacting, the neck. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment
could reduce the effectiveness of
the safety belt in a crash. SeeHow
to Wear Safety Belts Properly on
page 3‑14.
Press the release button (A) and
move the height adjuster to the
desired position. The adjuster can
be moved up by pushing the slide/
trim up. After the adjuster is set to
the desired position, try to move it
down without pushing the release
button to make sure it has locked
into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met.
And, if the vehicle has side impact
airbags, safety belt pretensioners
can help tighten the safety belts in a
side crash or a rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
they will need to be replaced, and
probably other new parts for the
vehicle's safety belt system. See
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts
after a Crash on page 3‑26.

Black plate (27,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-27
After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑11.Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
.A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
.A roof-rail airbag for the right
front passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the right front passenger. The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the rear seat
passenger seated directly
behind the driver.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the rear seat
passenger seated directly
behind the right front passenger.
All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the middle
part of the steering wheel for the
driver and on the instrument panel
for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG will
appear on the side of the seatback
closest to the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear along the
headliner or trim.

Black plate (28,1)Buick Regal Owner Manual - 2011
3-28 Seats and Restraints
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{WARNING
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing a safety belt—even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with safety belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not
designed to inflate in every crash.
In some crashes safety belts are
the only restraint. See When
Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑30.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Wearing a safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are“supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly —whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
{WARNING
Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye.
Anyone who is up against, or
very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would
be if sitting on the edge of the
seat or leaning forward. Safety
belts help keep you in position
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
before and during a crash.
Always wear a safety belt, even
with airbags. The driver should sit
as far back as possible while still
maintaining control of the vehicle.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{WARNING
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag
when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.(Continued)