engine BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Manual PDF

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.
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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.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message being turned on, reset the
system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset
the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on
the DIC for more than ve seconds. The oil
life will change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when you start your vehicle, the
Engine Oil Life System has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that
may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails
with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil
products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
used oil, ask your dealer, a service station, or a
local recycling center for help.
341

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 334
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 442for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.To inspect or replace the lter, do the following:
1. Loosen and remove the two screws on the
top of the engine air cleaner/lter cover.
2. Lift up the outboard side of the cover at an
angle while pulling toward you. This is
necessary due to the two hinges located on
the inboard side of the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that may be found in the
air cleaner base.
4. Inspect or replace the air lter element.
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Follow these steps to reinstall the cover to the
engine air cleaner/lter housing:
1. Align the two hinges located on the inboard
side of the cover.
2. Push the cover slightly down and towards the
engine to engage the tabs in the hinges and
align the two screws.
3. Tighten the two screws on the top of the
engine air cleaner/lter housing cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air; it helps to stop ames if the engine
backres. If it is not there and the engine
backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 442, and be
sure to use the transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
343

How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid (3.8L Engine)
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage the transaxle. Too much can mean that
some of the uid could come out and fall on hot
engine or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
ve minutes.
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Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
For the 3.8L V6 engine
the transaxle uid
dipstick top is a round
loop with this symbol.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 334for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
3.8L V6 Engine
345

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 452.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the
cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 452.3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid (4.6L Engine)
For the 4.6L V8 engine, it is not necessary to check
the transaxle uid level. A transaxle uid leak is the
only reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take your
vehicle to the dealership service department and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
346

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 351.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
347