check oil BUICK ENCLAVE 2009 User Guide

A. Radiator Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 5-16.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap.
SeeCooling System on
page 5-16.
C. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
D.Underhood Fuse Block on
page 5-94.
E. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
F.Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-22.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 5-11.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-15.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-24.K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-14.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-23.
Engine Oil
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 5-10for 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick,
add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 5-98.
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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-11

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 the vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If you are in an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature falls
below−20°F (−29°C), use either an
SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an
SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide
easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures. Always
use an oil that meets the required
specication, GM6094M. See “What
Kind of Engine Oil to Use” for more
information.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the starburst
symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This 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. Change the 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 might
not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, you must change the
oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since the last oil change. Remember
to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
Service and Appearance Care 5-13

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. The coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and
add coolant when it is low. If there
is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-20.
What to Use
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture, nothing
else needs to be added. This
mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C), outside
temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C), engine
temperature.
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or
additives are used in the
vehicle’s cooling system, the
vehicle could be damaged. Use
only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12for
more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-17

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before this
is done. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-17for more information.
The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it.When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at or above
the FULL COLD line marked on
the recovery tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL
COLD line. If the coolant is below
the FULL COLD line when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak
in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a
dealer/retailer for service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{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.Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at
the coolant recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
5-18 Service and Appearance Care

When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or you hear an unusual
noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
4. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
5. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the uid level on the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere
between MAX and MIN line on the
dipstick in room temperature. If the
uid is on or below MIN line, you
should add uid close to MAX Line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and
the damages may not be covered
by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the correct uid
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating in
an area where the temperature may
fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23

Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, was fully inated
when the vehicle was new, however,
it can lose air after a time. Check
the ination pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, stop as soon
as possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inated. The
compact spare is made to perform
well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to
3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
nish your trip and have the
full-size tire repaired or replaced at
your convenience. Of course, it
is best to replace the spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire will last longer and
be in good shape in case it is
needed again.Notice:When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels
or tires. They will not t. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
will be automatically disabled
when you use the compact spare.
To restore the AWD and prevent
excessive wear on the clutch in your
AWD, replace the compact spare
tire with a full-size tire as soon
as possible.
Notice:Tire chains will not t the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use
tire chains on the compact spare.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
The vehicle’s interior will continue
to look its best if it is cleaned often.
Although not always visible, dust
and dirt can accumulate on the
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet,
fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from the
upholstery. It is important to keep
the upholstery from becoming and
remaining heavily soiled. Soils
should be removed as quickly as
possible. The vehicle’s interior may
experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may
require more frequent cleaning.
Use care because newspapers and
garments that transfer color to home
furnishings may also transfer color
to the vehicle’s interior.
Service and Appearance Care 5-83

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Cooling System 11.4 qt 10.8 L
Engine Oil with Filter 5.5 qt 5.2 L
Fuel Tank 22.0 gal 83.3 L
Transmission Fluid* 5.3 qt 5.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 140 lb ft 190 Y
*Transmission uid capacity is approximate. See Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-15for information on
checking uid level.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
3.6L V6 Engine DAutomatic 0.043 in (1.10 mm)
5-98 Service and Appearance Care

Maintenance
Schedule
Maintenance Schedule
Introduction.........................6-1
Maintenance
Requirements....................6-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment......................6-2
Using the Maintenance
Schedule...........................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance......6-3
Additional Required
Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes.......6-7
Owner Checks and
Services............................6-9
At Each Fuel Fill................6-9
At Least Once a Month......6-9
At Least Once a Year.......6-10
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants.......................6-12
Maintenance
Replacement Parts..........6-14
Engine Drive Belt
Routing...........................6-15
Maintenance Record.........6-16
Maintenance
Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Maintenance Schedule 6-1

{CAUTION
Performing maintenance work on
a vehicle can be dangerous. In
trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your dealer/retailer to have a
qualied technician do the work.
SeeDoing Your Own Service
Work on page 5-4.
Some maintenance services can be
complex. So, unless you are
technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, have
your dealer/retailer do these jobs.
When you go to your dealer/retailer
for service, trained and supported
service technicians will perform
the work using genuine parts.To purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-13.
Owner Checks and Services on
page 6-8tells what should be
checked, when to check it, and what
can easily be done to help keep
the vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts,
uids, and lubricants to use
are listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12
andMaintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-14. When the
vehicle is serviced, make sure these
are used. All parts should be
replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend
the use of genuine parts from
your dealer/retailer.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message displays,
service is required for the vehicle.
Have the vehicle serviced as
soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system
might not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year.
However, the engine oil and lter
must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service technicians
who will perform this work using
genuine parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever
reset accidentally, service the vehicle
within 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-13for information
on the Engine Oil Life System and
resetting the system.
Maintenance Schedule 6-3

When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message appears, certain
services, checks, and inspections
are required. Required services
are described in the following
for “MaintenanceI” and
“Maintenance II.” Generally, it is
recommended that the rst service
be Maintenance I, the second
service be Maintenance II, and then
alternate Maintenance Iand Maintenance
IIthereafter. However,
in some cases, Maintenance II
may be required more often.
Maintenance I—Use
Maintenance Iif the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
displays within 10 months since the
vehicle was purchased or
Maintenance IIwas performed. Maintenance
II—Use
Maintenance IIif the previous
service performed was
Maintenance I. Always use
Maintenance IIwhenever the
message displays 10 months or
more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all
for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on page 5-11. Reset oil life
system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-13 .An Emission Control
Service. ••
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (g). ••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-14 .See footnote (l). •
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-48 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month
on page 6-9. ••
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed. ••
6-4 Maintenance Schedule