traction control BUICK REGAL 2018 Owner's Manual

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
4 Introduction
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Seat Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 15
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 15
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Passenger Sensing System . . . 16
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 17
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 23
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 24
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Universal Remote System . . . . . 25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (2.0L Turbo Engine) . . . . . . 27
Fuel (3.6L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 27 Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0173.
2. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
0162.
3. Instrument Cluster 0124.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0141.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0118.
5. Hazard Warning Flashers
0162.
6. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0160.
7. Infotainment 0167.
8. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0201.
9. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0168.
10. Transmitter Pocket. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 030.
11. Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0225
(If Equipped). Parking Assist Button (If
Equipped). See
Driver
Assistance Systems 0213.
Selective Ride Control (GS
Models Only) 0203.
12. Wireless Charging 0121 (If
Equipped).
13. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0194.
14. Electric Parking Brake 0198.
15. ENGINE START/STOP Button (Out of View). See Ignition
Positions 0187.
16. Steering Wheel Controls 0118.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0141.
17. Horn 0118.
18. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0118 (Out of View).
19. Cruise Control 0204 (If
Equipped).
Adaptive Cruise Control 0206
(If Equipped). Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System
0217 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0118
(If Equipped).
20. Hood Release. See Hood
0 243.
21. Exterior Lamp Controls 0159.
Fog Lamps 0162.
22. Instrument Panel Fuse Block Cover. See Instrument Panel
Fuse Block 0272.
23. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0133.
24. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0145
(If Equipped).
25. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0163.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
26 In Brief
If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
automatic reversal feature will
detect the object and stop the
sunroof. The sunroof will then return
to the full-open or vent position.
Vent (If Equipped) :Press
E(2) to
vent the sunroof. Press
g(2) to
close the sunroof vent.
Sunshade
If equipped with a manual
sunshade, slide the sunshade to
open or close it. The sunshade is
always open when the sunroof
is open.
Power Sunshade Switch
Open/Close (If Equipped) :
Press
Q(2) to open the power
sunshade. Press
Q(2) to close
the power sunshade.
The sunroof has an automatic
reversal feature.
See Sunroof 057.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The Traction Control System (TCS)
limits wheel slip. The system turns
on automatically every time the
vehicle is started.
The StabiliTrak system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system turns on automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
.
To turn off TCS, press and
release
gon the center stack.
iilluminates and the
appropriate Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may
display.
. To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. .
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak, press and hold
g
untiliandgilluminate in the
instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display.
. Press and release
gto turn on
both systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0201.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Instruments and Controls 117
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 118
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 118
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 118
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 118
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 130 Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 131
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 132
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 133
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 136
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 137
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 139
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 139
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 139
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 140
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 140
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 140
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 149
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 150
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 150
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 155
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Instruments and Controls 137
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak OFF
light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0201.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off,
the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems, and the warning light
turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0201.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC
system is actively working.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
138 Instruments and Controls
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0201.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating0256.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0256.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS. When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire
Pressure 0281.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0284.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Driving and Operating 175
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 180
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 180
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 182
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 186
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 194
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 198
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 200
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Selective Ride Control (GS Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 206
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 213
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 214
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 223
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 225
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 228
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
176 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information(Hatchback Models) . . . . . . . . . 231
General Towing Information (Station Wagon Models) . . . . . 231
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-2nd Timed Print-U.S./Canada-
11486030) - 2018 - crc - 3/23/18
Driving and Operating 179
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions: .
Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.