
The method to turn on the Regal license plate light is: turn on the car lights to activate the license plate light. The license plate light is designed to illuminate the license plate at night or in low-light conditions, and it turns on together with the position lights. Taking the 2020 Buick Regal as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4904mm, width 1863mm, height 1461mm, with a wheelbase of 2829mm and a fuel tank capacity of 55 liters. The 2020 Buick Regal is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 124kW and a maximum torque of 250Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It features a front McPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension.

Speaking of the Regal's license plate light, my own experience is that you don't need to turn it on specifically at all. As long as you turn on the headlights, the license plate light will automatically come on. Normally, before driving at night, just turn the headlight knob to the position light or low beam position, and the rear license plate light will light up together. It also automatically turns on when you shift into reverse gear, so you can see the license plate clearly while reversing. I asked the technician during my maintenance, and he said this design is for convenience. If your license plate light isn't working, it's mostly because the bulb is burnt out or the wiring has water damage. After opening the trunk lid, you can see the light covers, one on each side. Just buy a T10 model LED bulb and replace it yourself, it's very simple. Remember to turn off the engine and disconnect the power before operating.

The Regal's license plate light is actually very hassle-free, as it's linked to the headlights. Simply turn on your headlights, and the license plate light automatically illuminates—there's no separate switch. My buddy was searching everywhere for the switch when he first drove a Regal, only to later discover it also flashes as a warning when the trunk is unlocked. If your license plate light isn't working, I'd recommend checking the bulb first—it's located inside a plastic housing on the inner side of the trunk lid. Just a heads-up: insufficient brightness might get you pulled over by traffic police. That happened to me when my left light was out, and I had to replace it after being warned. A T10 bulb is all you need, and any auto shop can replace it for about ten bucks.

Friends driving the Regal, don't bother looking for the license plate light switch—it automatically turns on when you switch on the headlights. I've driven various model years of the Regal, from the 2014 to the 2023, and they all share this design. Typically, there are two license plate lights located in the middle of the trunk lid. If they're not working, it might be due to a burnt-out bulb or a short circuit. Here's a simple fix: after turning off the engine, open the trunk, pop off the plastic light cover, and you'll see the bulb. Remember to choose waterproof LED bulbs for replacement. Driving at night without license plate lights is quite risky—it not only makes the license plate hard to read but also affects the following car's judgment of distance.

Want to turn on the Regal's license plate light? It's simple—just activate any of the vehicle's lighting modes. I've tried turning on the parking lights, low beams, and even fog lights, and the license plate light will illuminate along with them. This light mainly helps avoid being stopped by traffic police at night. Replacing the bulb isn't difficult either: first, turn off the engine, lift the trunk liner, locate the white plastic lamp cover, and unscrew it. A reminder for beginners: never replace the bulb with wet hands, as it can easily cause a short circuit. Last time, my colleague didn’t dry his hands before handling it and ended up blowing a fuse. The bulb uses a universal T10 socket, which you can find at any supermarket.

When I first drove the Regal, I was also puzzled about the license plate light switch. Later, I found out it's designed to be fully automatic—it turns on naturally when the headlights are on or when the car is in reverse. If you notice it's not working at night, you should address it immediately. Although this light is small, it's crucial for safety: not having a license plate light at night not only increases the risk of being rear-ended but can also result in a fine. Fixing it is quite simple; just open the trunk to access the light assembly. It's recommended to check the waterproof seal around the light cover every six months, as aging can lead to moisture ingress. Replacing it with an OSRAM LED bulb costs about fifty or sixty yuan and can last for several years. Remember to take a quick glance at the rear brightness before locking the car.


