Buick Regal 2015 Owner’s Manual

The 2015 Buick Regal is a high-end midsize car with a sleek look, high-end features, and great performance. The Regal exudes grace and class with its stylish exterior and well-made interior. With its choice of turbocharged engines, the Regal is a fun car to drive that also gets good gas mileage. The cabin is roomy and well-equipped, with a touchscreen infotainment system and safety features like blind-spot tracking that can be used if you want. The 2015 Buick Regal stands out as a compelling choice in the midsize sedan market because it has a great mix of style, performance, and cutting-edge features.

Control of a Vehicle

Braking, steering, and accelerating are important factors in helping to control a vehicle while driving.

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about three-quarters of a second. In that time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:

• Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid needless heavy braking.
• Keep pace with traffic.

If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. Doing so could make the pedal harder to push down. If the engine stops, there will be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

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. If the vehicle seems harder to steer than normal when parking or driving slowly, there may be a problem with the system. You will still have power steering, but steering will be stiffer than normal at slow speeds. See your dealer for service.

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 on page 5-38.
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.

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.

Track Events and Competitive Driving
Racing, track testing, or competitive driving may affect the vehicle warranty. See the warranty manual before using the vehicle for racing or other competitive driving

Caution
If the vehicle is used for track events and competitive driving, the engine may use more oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can damage the engine. Check the oil level often and maintain the proper level. See Engine Oil on page 10-11.

For the 2.0L engine: Add and keep the oil level at 1 L (1 qt) above the high mark when driving under these conditions. For information on how to check and add oil, see Engine Oil on page 10-11.

Caution
During a first time track or racing event, high rear axle temperatures can occur. Damage could be caused to the rear axle and would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not drive as
long or as fast the first time the vehicle is driven on the track or raced.

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
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 occupants could drown. Do not ignore police warnings and be very cautious about trying to drive through flowing water.

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under the vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.

Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips include:

• Allow extra following distance. Pass with caution. Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape. Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
• Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires on page 10-40. 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 for driving in these conditions 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. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.

• Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
• Be alert on top of hills; something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident).
• Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt or sand. Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Traction Control should be turned on. See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control on page 9-35. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves vehicle stability during hard stops on slippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 9-31. Allow greater following distance on any slippery road 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 on slippery surfaces.

FAQ