ABS BUICK REGAL 2016 Owner's Manual

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
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: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” 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)
g: Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
g: First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
98 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 99
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 99
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 99
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 100
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Instrument Cluster (Base Level Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 113
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 114
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 115
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 116
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 119
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 120
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 121
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 122
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 122 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 123
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Information Displays
Power Flows
(eAssist Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Energy Information (eAssist Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level Cluster) . . . . . . . . 125
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Brake System Messages . . . . . 131
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 132
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 134
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 134
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 134
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 135
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Instruments and Controls 119
If a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeBrake
System Messages 0131.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS light comes on briefly
when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. A chime may also sound when
the light comes on steady. Then
start the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have
antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning
Light 0117.
See Brake System Messages 0131
for all brake-related DIC messages.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
For some vehicles with the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system,
this light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this light may not come on when
starting the vehicle. This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0212.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0207.

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9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Driving and Operating 163
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 168
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 169
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 170
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 186
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 191
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 193
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 197
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 204
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 204
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 210
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 215
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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166 Driving and Operating
Steering
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have 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 steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under
Vehicle
Messages 0131.
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/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Driving and Operating 169
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0253.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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. 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, accident). .
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 0192.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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170 Driving and Operating
than when on dry pavement.
SeeAntilock Brake System
(ABS) 0189.
. 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 0326. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0185.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159380) - 2016 - CRC - 2/23/16
Driving and Operating 189
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
might be heard while this test is
going on, and it might even be
noticed that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 0119.
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 191
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles with a
manual transmission taking off on a
hill. When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to
be used for the clutch and
accelerator pedals in preparation for
starting the vehicle moving in theintended direction. In this case,
there is no need to push the switch
to release the EPB.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
may be useful when the vehicle is
stopped on a grade. This feature is
designed to prevent the vehicle from
rolling, either forward or rearward,
during vehicle drive off. After the
driver completely stops and holds
the vehicle in a complete standstill
on a grade, HSA will be
automatically activated. During the
transition period between when the
driver releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off on a
grade, HSA holds the braking
pressure to ensure that there is no
rolling. The brakes will automatically
release when the accelerator pedal
is applied within the two-second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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194 Driving and Operating
GS :Use where personal
preference or road conditions
demand more control. This setting
provides responsive, controlled
steering and handling and also
modifies the All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
Press and release the GS button on
top of the center stack. The light on
the button comes on, and the
appropriate message displays on
the DIC. Press the button again.
The system returns to the Standard
mode and the appropriate message
displays on the DIC.
Selective Ride Control automatically
comes on in the Standard mode
when the vehicle is started. When
the Sport and GS modes are turned
off, the system returns to the
Standard mode.
Standard Mode
. The powertrain reacts normally
to the accelerator pedal.
. Power steering assistance is
normal.
Sport Mode
.The shock absorbers stiffen to
provide better contact with the
road surface.
. The powertrain reacts normally
to the accelerator pedal.
. Power steering assistance is
normal.
GS Mode
.Additional stiffness in the shock
absorbers for increased body
control.
. The powertrain reacts more
quickly to the accelerator pedal.
. Power steering assistance is
reduced.
Cruise Control
With cruise control the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.