Starting the engine BUICK REGAL 2018 Owner's Guide

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Vehicle Care 241
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without
Subwoofer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 314
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
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 0260
and Jump Starting - North America
0 315 and the back cover.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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Vehicle Care 247
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 257.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0247.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0247.
4. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 252
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0259.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0251.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0252.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0315.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0268.
10. Remote Negative (-) Ground Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0315.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:
.
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 0249.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0244 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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248 Vehicle Care
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
V6 Engine Shown, L4 Engine
Similar
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See
“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0344.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 244 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0340.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.

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Vehicle Care 249
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification”
earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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260 Vehicle Care
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
If equipped with a V6 engine, the
battery is under the trim panel on
the left side of the rear cargo area.
If equipped with an L4 engine, the
battery is under the hood. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0244. Refer to the replacement
number on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed.
The battery is an Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) 12-volt battery.
Installation of a standard 12-volt
battery will result in reduced 12-volt
battery life. When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
{Warning
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0241 and the back
cover. Stop/Start System
This vehicle has a Stop/Start
system to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See
Starting the
Engine 0188.
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 -
North America 0315 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.

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Vehicle Care 261
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
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. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake. Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. 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.
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. Apply the parking brake. 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
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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316 Vehicle Care
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to the vehicle
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Trying to start
the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage
the vehicle.
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Discharged Remote BatteryPositive Terminal
2. Discharged Remote Battery Negative Ground Terminal
3. Good Battery Positive Terminal
4. Good Battery Negative Terminal
The jump start remote positive
terminal (1) and the remote negative
ground terminal (2) for the
discharged battery are in the engine
compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. The jump start positive terminal (3)
and negative terminal (4) are on the
battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.
The positive jump start connection
for the discharged battery is under a
cover. Remove the cover to expose
the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly and shift to P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park 0191.

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Vehicle Care 317
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
4. Turn the ignition off. Turn off all lights and accessories in both
vehicles, except the hazard
warning flashers if needed.
{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.
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 red positive (+) cable to the remote
positive (+) terminal on the
discharged battery. 6. Connect the other end of the
red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery.
7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to the
negative (–) terminal of the
good battery.
8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to the
remote negative (–) ground
terminal for the discharged
battery.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for at
least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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Index 375
Driving (cont'd)Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 28
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 180
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 182
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 198
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 135
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 268
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 244
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 194
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 358
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 159 Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 160
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 162
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 250
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 219
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
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Index 377
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
IndicatorVehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 54
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 30
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 276
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 160
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Lamps (cont'd)
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Front Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . 223
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 225
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 136
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Lighting Adaptive Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Lights
Adaptive Forward Lighting
(AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 135
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Check Engine (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 135
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 139
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 160
Lane Keep Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 130
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Service Electric Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138