traction control BUICK REGAL 2020 Owners Manual

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
4 Introduction
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers
Properly Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7: Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
h:Stop/Start
7: Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V:Vehicle Ahead Indicator

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
6 Introduction
1.Air Vents 0161.
2. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
0150.
3. Instrument Cluster 0107.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0128.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0100.
5. Hazard Warning Flashers
0150.
6. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0148.
7. Infotainment 0155.
8. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0191.
9. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0156.
10. Transmitter Pocket. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 08. 11.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0215
(If Equipped).
Park Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Driver
Assistance Systems 0203.
Selective Ride Control (GS
Models Only) 0192.
12. Wireless Charging 0103 (If
Equipped).
13. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0184.
14. Electric Parking Brake 0188.
15. ENGINE START/STOP Button (Out of View). See Ignition
Positions 0176.
16. Steering Wheel Controls 0100.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0128.
17. Horn 0100.
18. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0100 (Out of View). 19.
Cruise Control 0194 (If
Equipped).
Adaptive Cruise Control 0196
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0207 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0100
(If Equipped).
20. Hood Release. See Hood
0 233.
21. Exterior Lamp Controls 0147.
Fog Lamps 0150.
22. Instrument Panel Fuse Block Cover. See Instrument Panel
Fuse Block 0263.
23. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0119.
24. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0133
(If Equipped).
25. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0151.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Instruments and Controls 99
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 100
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 100
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 100
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 100
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel) . . . . 116
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 117
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 118
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 119
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 119
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 123
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 124
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 124
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 125
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 126 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 126
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 127
Adaptive Forward Lighting
(AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 127
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 128
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 128
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 133
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 137
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 138
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 138
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 143
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
124 Instruments and Controls
FCA/ACC Following Gap Light
If equipped, this light indicates the
following gap setting (near, medium,
or far) for FCA, and, if equipped,
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected in front of the
vehicle.
SeeFront Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0210.
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/ESC
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
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.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0191.
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 0191.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Instruments and Controls 125
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.See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0191.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light (Uplevel)
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 Overheating0247.
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 0247.
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.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Driving and Operating 163
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 168
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 169
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 171
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 182
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 184
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 188
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 190
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Selective Ride Control (GS Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 196
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 203
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 204
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 213
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 215
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Recommended Fuel (3.6L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 218
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
164 Driving and Operating
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information(Hatchback Models) . . . . . . . . . 221
General Towing Information (Station Wagon Models) . . . . . 221
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
. Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated. .
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
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.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
Driving and Operating 165
.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.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts052.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they may do and
be ready. .
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
168 Driving and Operating
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight 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.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle (Continued)

Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13557849) -
2020 - CRC - 6/25/19
170 Driving and Operating
.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 0191.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner than when on dry pavement.
See
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0188.
. 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 0344. 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.
(Continued)