BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Manual

{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel
can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 422.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully
installed. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 206.The vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
the TIGHTEN GAS CAP message will be
displayed if the fuel cap is not properly installed.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 206.
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood
release handle
inside the vehicle. It
is located next to the
parking brake pedal
near the oor.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull
the secondary hood release to the right. The
hood latch is located under the hood, near
the center, at the front edge of the grille.
3. Hold the latch to the right as you lift up
on the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller
caps are on properly. Then just pull the
hood down and close it rmly.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.8L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 351.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Index.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 364.
G. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. See Index.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 337.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 343.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.
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When you open the hood on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Index.
E. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 364.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 337.
H. Brake Master Cylinder. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 343.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.Engine Oil
If the OIL LEVEL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check the engine oil level
right away. For more information, seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 334
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
337

When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, you will need to add at least one
quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 436.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 334for the
location of the engine oil
ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range in the
cross-hatched area. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
3.8L V6 Engine
4.6L V8 Engine
338

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for
and use only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the
container. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil
container, and use only those oils that are identied
as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the
starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied
For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure
to use the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
339

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will
provide easier cold starting and better protection
for the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 221. Change your oil as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
340