engine coolant BUICK REGAL 1999 Owner's Manual

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6-11
When you open the hood of the 3800 (Code 1) V6 Supercharged Engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery TerminalE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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6-25
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
ACDelco
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an ACDelco


thermostat is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, 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 or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
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6-26
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like 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 wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant.
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6-27
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't 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 the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a
level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at the
COLD mark or a little
higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be
up to the HOT mark or a
little higher.
If this LOW COOLANT
light comes on and stays on,
it means you're low on
engine coolant.
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6-28
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.)
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a little --
when the engine and radiator are hot.
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. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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6-31
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver's
side of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT
-3
brake fluid.
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Scheduled Maintenance
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7-14
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)

Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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7-15
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See ªTiresº in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.
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7-21
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine OilEngine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines ªStarburstº
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle's engine, see
ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only GM
Goodwrench

DEX-COOL
or
Havoline
DEX-COOL

Coolant. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index.
USAGEFLUID/LUBRICANT
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11
Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT
-3 Brake Fluid).
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884
- 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
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9-3
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Surfaces 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc
Care 3
-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Player 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Player Care 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Player Errors 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Console Storage 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control, Loss of 4-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant
Bleed Valve 5
-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coolant Heater, Engine 2
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Lamps 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Light 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cupholders 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance
for Text Telephone Users 8
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information 8-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Finish 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Sheet Metal 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime Running Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dead Battery 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety 8-9, 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive Driving 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger, Rear Window 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogging 3-4, 3-6, 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defrosting 3-4, 3-6, 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed
Entry Lighting 2
-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Lighting 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp Illumination 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, Vehicle 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby B Noise Reduction 3-13, 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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