🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Buick

Model:

Regal

Year:

2004

Market:

North America

Oem Part Number:

Not Specified (OEM General Motors)

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Mid-size sedan, luxury-oriented within GM's lineup.

Positioning:

Positioned as a comfortable, stylish, and relatively upscale option in the mid-size sedan market, often competing with models like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Ford Taurus.

Key Competitors 2004:

Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, Dodge Intrepid, Nissan Altima.

General:

Focus on comfort, quiet ride, distinctive styling, and a premium feel for its class.

Trim Variations:

Likely available in multiple trims (e.g., Base, GT) offering different feature sets and potentially engine options.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Focus:

Owner operation, basic maintenance, and safety features of the 2004 Buick Regal.

Secondary Focus:

General information on vehicle systems, emergency procedures, and appearance care.

Estimated Pages:

200-300 (Typical for a 2004 Owner's Manual)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF Download

📖 Manual Coverage

Instrumentation And Controls:

Dashboard layout, gauges, warning lights, indicator symbols, steering wheel controls, climate controls, infotainment system controls, lighting controls, power accessories.

Safety Features:

Seat belts (operation, adjustment, child seat installation), Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags (system operation, precautions), child safety locks, advanced safety systems (if applicable).

Vehicle Operation:

Pre-driving checks, starting and stopping the engine, driving techniques, parking brake, fuel considerations, transmission operation (automatic).

Climate Control:

HVAC system operation, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, recirculation modes, manual and automatic climate control (if equipped).

Infotainment Audio:

Radio operation, CD player (if equipped), speaker settings, antenna, basic audio system controls.

Emergency Situations:

What to do in case of a breakdown, engine overheating, flat tire, jump starting, towing information, emergency tool locations.

Maintenance And Care:

Routine maintenance schedules, fluid checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure, wiper blade replacement, exterior and interior cleaning.

Technical Consumer Info:

Vehicle identification number (VIN) location, tire and loading information, spare tire and wheel information, metric and imperial conversions, consumer information.

Basic Maintenance:

Checking fluid levels, tire pressure adjustments, wiper blade replacement, light bulb replacement (exterior/interior, where accessible), cleaning procedures.

Driving Operations:

Proper starting and stopping procedures, gear selection (P, R, N, D, L), parking brake engagement/disengagement.

Safety Precautions:

Correct seat belt usage, child seat installation guidelines, airbag system awareness.

Emergency Response:

Jump starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire (limited scope), safe response to minor emergencies.

Depth:

Owner-level, focusing on understanding and operating the vehicle safely and performing basic upkeep. Does not cover in-depth diagnostics or complex repairs.

📊 Manual Specifications

Format:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable PDF, allowing for quick information retrieval.

Quality:

Digital reproduction of OEM manual, aiming for clarity of text and diagrams.

Type:

N/A (Digital download)

Type:

N/A (Digital download)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

3.8L V6 (Supercharged option often available on GT models)

Engine Displacement:

3.8 Liters (3800 cc)

Configuration:

V6

Horsepower Naturally Aspirated:

Approximately 205 hp @ 5200 rpm (Standard 3.8L V6)

Torque Naturally Aspirated:

Approximately 230 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (Standard 3.8L V6)

Horsepower Supercharged:

Approximately 240 hp @ 5200 rpm (Optional 3.8L Supercharged V6 on GT)

Torque Supercharged:

Approximately 280 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm (Optional 3.8L Supercharged V6 on GT)

Induction:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SFI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline (Regular)

Fuel Capacity:

Approximately 17.0 gallons

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

4-speed automatic transmission

Transmission Model:

4T65-E

Transmission Type:

N/A (All Regal models for 2004 were automatic)

Overdrive:

Includes overdrive gear for improved fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds.

Fluid Type:

Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (or equivalent specified by GM for the 4T65-E)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approximately 195.2 inches

Width:

Approximately 71.4 inches

Height:

Approximately 56.7 inches

Wheelbase:

Approximately 109.0 inches

Front Headroom:

Approx. 38.7 inches

Front Legroom:

Approx. 42.1 inches

Rear Headroom:

Approx. 37.8 inches

Rear Legroom:

Approx. 36.4 inches

Trunk Volume:

Approximately 15.1 cubic feet

Curb Weight:

Approximately 3,500 - 3,700 lbs (depending on trim and options)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Impact:

5-Star (Driver and Passenger) - Typical for GM vehicles of this era.

NHTSA Side Impact:

4-Star (Front Passenger) / 5-Star (Rear Passenger) - Typical for GM vehicles of this era.

IIHS Frontal Offset:

Good (as per IIHS testing for similar vehicles in this segment)

Braking System:

Front disc / Rear drum or disc (depending on trim), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard.

Traction Control:

Available on some models, particularly GT with supercharged engine.

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags (dual-stage), available front side-impact airbags.

Seatbelts:

Three-point seat belts with pretensioners for front occupants, LATCH system for child seats.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Factory AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional Monsoon premium audio system, steering wheel audio controls on some trims.

Display:

Central dashboard display for climate and audio settings.

Cruise Control:

Standard on most models, operated via steering wheel controls.

Parking Assist:

Rear parking assist sensors were an optional feature on higher trims.

Phone Integration:

No integrated Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity standard. Aftermarket solutions may be available.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months (using synthetic or synthetic blend oil). Check manual for specific recommendations.

Tire Rotation:

Every 7,500 miles (concurrent with oil change).

Engine Air Filter:

Inspect every 7,500 miles, replace as needed (typically every 30,000 miles).

Cabin Air Filter:

Inspect annually, replace as needed (typically every 15,000-30,000 miles).

Transmission Fluid:

Inspect fluid level regularly. Change interval typically around 100,000 miles, but check manual for severe service recommendations.

Engine Oil:

SAE 5W-30 (Dexos or GM approved equivalent). Check manual for viscosity index requirements.

Coolant:

GM P/N 12346290 (Orange), or equivalent Dex-Cool compatible coolant. Typically a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.

Brake Fluid:

DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.

Power Steering Fluid:

GM P/N 12345574 (Universal Synthetic Power Steering Fluid), or equivalent.

Common Problems:

Intake manifold gasket leaks (3800 V6), accessory drive belt tensioner issues, power steering pump whine, occasional transmission solenoid failures (4T65-E), alternator failure.

Body Interior:

Headliner sagging, interior trim panel fitment issues, occasional electrical gremlins related to body control modules.

📚 Vehicle History

Buick Legacy:

Buick has a long history of producing comfortable, refined, and relatively upscale vehicles for the American market since the early 20th century.

Regal Lineage:

The Regal nameplate has been used by Buick since 1973, evolving through various body styles and market positions, from personal luxury coupes to modern sedans. The 2004 model represents the latter part of the ninth generation (1997-2004), often considered a comfortable and well-equipped mid-size option.

Manufacturing Location:

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (GM Canada Assembly Plant)

Production Years Current Gen:

1997-2004

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Segment Awards:

While specific awards for the 2004 model might be sparse, the GM 3800 V6 engine (including the supercharged variant) was a Ward's 10 Best Engines winner in earlier years, signifying its reliability and performance.

Consumer Reports:

Historically, Buick Regal models from this era often received mixed to good ratings for reliability and comfort, with some variability depending on specific features and powertrain.