adding oil BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Manual

2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all
the way to the oor and holding it there as you
hold the key in START for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts, let go of the key
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey but
then stops again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do
not race the engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and transaxle gently
until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with
your dealer. If you do not, your engine might
not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather,
0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater
can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the
coolant heater is not required.
117

Service........................................................ 325
Accessories and Modications................... 325
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 326
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 326
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 327
Fuel............................................................. 327
Gasoline Octane........................................ 327
Gasoline Specications.............................. 328
California Fuel........................................... 328
Additives................................................... 328
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 329
Filling the Tank......................................... 330
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 332
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 332
Hood Release........................................... 333
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 334
Engine Oil................................................. 337
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 340
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 342
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 343
Engine Coolant.......................................... 347
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 351
Engine Overheating................................... 351Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 353
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine).............. 354
Cooling System (4.6L V8 Engine).............. 360
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 364
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 365
Brakes...................................................... 367
Battery...................................................... 370
Jump Starting............................................ 372
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 377
Bulb Replacement....................................... 380
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 380
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps ................................. 380
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.................. 382
License Plate Lamp................................... 383
Replacement Bulbs................................... 383
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 383
Tires............................................................ 385
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 386
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 389
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 392
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 393
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
323

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.
335

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

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 452for more information.
348

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 347
for more information.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is
at the FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
356

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
362