BUICK LACROSSE 2006 Owner's Manual

If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at or above the cold ll line on the coolant recovery tank.
If it is not, there may be a leak at the pressure cap or
in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, the fans should be running.
If the fans are not running, the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-29for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
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 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.
5-31

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.If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the cold ll line, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24for more information.
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.
{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 level in the coolant recovery tank is at
the cold ll line, start the vehicle.
5-32

If the overheat warning continues, there is one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the system
is cool before you do it.
{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 radiator
pressure cap — even a little — they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(3.8L V6 Engine)
Notice:Your engine has a specic radiator ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
1. You can remove the
radiator pressure cap
when the cooling
system, including the
radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap
slowly counterclockwise
until it rst stops.
Do not press down while turning the pressure cap.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
5-33

3. Open the coolant air
bleed valve located
on the thermostat
housing near the
heater hose. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
4. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from the
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close
the valve after the radiator is lled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5-34

6. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold ll line.
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.
8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.9. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
10. Then replace the radiator pressure cap. At any time
during this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of
the ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the cold ll
line when the engine is cold.
5-35

How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (3.6L V6 Engine)
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause your engine to overheat
and be severely damaged. If your engine’s cooling
system needs to be drained and re-lled, please
see your dealer.
1. You can remove the
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the pressure
cap and upper radiator
hose is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure
cap slowly
counterclockwise.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means that there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
{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.
3. Fill the cooling system with the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller neck.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5-36

5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold ll line.
6. Reinstall the coolant recovery tank cap and the
pressure cap.
7. If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low,
you should have your dealership service department
inspect the vehicle for leaks.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
reservoir location.
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.
5-37

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level
on the dipstick.
If your vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine, the uid level
should be between the ADD and HOT marks when the
engine is cold, and at the HOT mark when the engine
is hot. If the uid is at the ADD mark when the engine
is cold or hot, power steering uid should be added.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine, the uid
level should be between the Min (Minimum) and
Max (Maximum) marks when the engine is cold, and
at the Max mark when the engine is hot. If the uid
is at the Min mark when the engine is cold or hot,
power steering uid should be added.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid is low, a low washer
uid light may appear on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeLow Washer Fluid Warning Light on page 3-47
for more information.
In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), the LOW WASHER FLUID
message will appear when the uid level is low.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for
more information.
5-38

Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not 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 lled
with DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level
in the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the
uid level goes back up. The other reason is that uid
is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well, or will not
work at all.
5-39

So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add
uid when your linings are worn, then you will have
too much uid when you get new brake linings.
You should add or remove brake uid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-87.
5-40