Vehicle Segment:
Mid-size Sedan
Brand Perception:
Buick positioned as a more comfortable, refined, and upscale offering within GM's mainstream brands.
Key Competitors:
Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Impala
Comfort And Ride:
Emphasis on a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride quality, often with a focus on plush seating.
Interior Appointments:
Generally well-appointed interiors for its class, with a focus on user-friendly controls and materials.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling, lubrication, fuel, ignition, exhaust systems (overview)
Chassis:
Braking system operation, steering system operation, suspension system overview
Electrical:
Lighting operation, instrument panel indicators, warning lights, basic electrical features (e.g., wipers, horn)
Body:
Door locks, windows, mirrors, seats, climate control operation, sound system basics
Routine Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, wiper blade replacement guidance
Basic Diy:
Jump starting, changing wiper blades, checking/replacing fuses, adding washer fluid
Safety Considerations:
Seat belt usage, child restraint system installation guidance, emergency procedures, driving in adverse conditions
Towing:
Towing capacity information, trailer towing considerations, trailer lighting hookup overview
Diagnostic Level:
Owner-level troubleshooting for common issues (e.g., understanding warning lights)
Repair Scope:
Primarily focused on operation and basic maintenance, not in-depth repair procedures or component overhauls.
File Type:
Portable Document Format (PDF)
Searchability:
Likely text-searchable if OCR'd properly, allowing for keyword searches.
Printable:
Yes, designed to be printable on standard home or office printers.
Binding Type Analog:
Not applicable (digital format), but original physical manual would typically be perfect bound or stapled.
Paper Type Analog:
Not applicable (digital format), but original physical manual would typically be printed on standard automotive manual paper stock.
Engine Type 1:
3.8L V6 (L36) Naturally Aspirated
Displacement 1:
3.8 Liters (3800 cc)
Horsepower 1:
200 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque 1:
225 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Engine Type 2:
3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67) 'Series II'
Displacement 2:
3.8 Liters (3800 cc)
Horsepower 2:
240 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque 2:
280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Recommended Fuel:
87 Octane Unleaded (3.8L V6), 91 Octane Unleaded (3.8L Supercharged)
Transmission Type:
4-Speed Automatic (4T65-E)
Optional Transmission Type:
4-Speed Automatic with Driver Shift Control (4T65-E HD)
Transmission Features:
Electronically controlled, torque converter clutch, includes overdrive
Length:
Approximately 197.3 inches (4999 mm)
Width:
Approximately 70.4 inches (1788 mm)
Height:
Approximately 57.1 inches (1450 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approximately 109.0 inches (2769 mm)
Trunk Volume:
Approximately 15.1 cubic feet (427 liters)
Curb Weight Range:
Approximately 3400 - 3600 lbs (1542 - 1633 kg), varies by engine and trim.
NHTSA Frontal Impact Driver:
5-Star (for models equipped with airbags)
NHTSA Frontal Impact Passenger:
5-Star (for models equipped with airbags)
IIHS Frontal Offset Score:
Good
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on all wheels
Traction Control:
Available Traction Control System (TCS) on some models, particularly with the supercharged engine.
Airbags:
Dual front airbags, optional side-impact airbags
Seat Belts:
3-point front and rear seat belts, front seat belt pretensioners
Child Seats:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for rear seats
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional premium sound systems (e.g., Monsoon), cassette tape player may be present on base models.
Display:
Basic digital or analog displays for radio presets and climate control.
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control
Tire Pressure Monitoring:
Not a standard feature on this model year.
Aux Input:
Not a standard feature. Aftermarket solutions would be required for audio device connectivity.
Bluetooth:
Not a standard feature.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months (whichever comes first) with synthetic blend oil. Consult manual for conventional oil recommendations.
Engine Coolant Flush:
Initial flush at 100,000 miles (160,000 km), then every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) thereafter.
Spark Plug Replacement:
100,000 miles (160,000 km) for platinum-tipped spark plugs.
Engine Oil Type 3800:
SAE 3.8L V6: SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic. (Check manual for specific GM spec like Dexos if applicable, though less common for this era).
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.5 US quarts (4.3 Liters) with filter (3.8L V6).
Transmission Fluid Type:
Dexron III (or equivalent specification compatible with 4T65-E transmission)
Coolant Type:
GM "Colorless" Conventional Coolant (may have been replaced by orange silicate-free later, but original spec is important).
Head Gasket Leaks:
While the 3800 V6 is generally robust, some instances of coolant leaks or head gasket issues have been reported, particularly on earlier or higher mileage engines.
Intake Manifold Gaskets:
A common issue on GM V6 engines of this era is coolant leaks from the intake manifold gaskets.
Transmission Hesitation:
Some owners report occasional hesitation or rough shifting from the 4T65-E transmission, often related to fluid condition or solenoids.
Buick Heritage:
Buick, founded in 1899, is one of America's oldest automotive brands, known for a long history of building reliable, comfortable, and relatively upscale vehicles.
Regal Lineage:
The Regal nameplate has been used by Buick since 1973, evolving through various generations and market segments, often serving as a sportier or more personal luxury coupe or sedan offering.
Gm Platform:
The 2002 Regal is based on the GM W platform, shared with other vehicles like the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, and Oldsmobile Intrigue.
Production Years For This Generation:
1997-2004
Manufacturing Location:
Oshawa Car Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
