coolant level BUICK LACROSSE 2006 Owner's Manual

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-41
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-41
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-44
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-45
Security Light...............................................3-46
Cruise Control Light......................................3-46
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-46
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-47
Headlamps Suggested Light...........................3-47
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-47
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-47
Trunk Ajar Light............................................3-48
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-48
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-49
Check Gas Cap Light....................................3-49Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-51
DIC Compass (Uplevel Only)..........................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-59
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-75
Audio System(s).............................................3-84
Setting the Time...........................................3-85
Radio with CD (Base)...................................3-86
Radio with CD (Uplevel)................................3-90
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-99
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-113
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-126
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-126
Radio Reception.........................................3-128
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-128
Care of the CD Player.................................3-129
Backglass Antenna......................................3-129
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-130
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-130
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the H, the engine is
too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the warning
light. It means that the engine coolant has overheated.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If equipped, this light
comes on briey when
you turn your ignition on
as a bulb check only.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
3-41

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the uplevel DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action,
but you can press any of the DIC buttons on the uplevel
vehicle to acknowledge that you received the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC display
because they are more urgent. These messages require
action before they can be cleared.
If there are any active warning messages when the
vehicle is turned off, two chimes will sound and the
DIC will go into a reminder mode. The reminder mode
displays any active message. If there are multiple
messages, the DIC will display each message for
ve seconds. After each active message is displayed
once, the reminder mode will turn off.
You should take any messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember that clearing the
messages will only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
A/C OFF FOR ENGINE PROTECTION
This message will display when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-41.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
This message will come on while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on. If this message continues
to appear, have the system repaired by your GM dealer
as soon as possible to avoid damage to your engine.
3-59

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.
H. Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap on
page 5-27.I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
J. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-21.
M. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
N. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
E. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-37.
I. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-21.M. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling System on
page 5-30.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your 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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
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.
5-15

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located in the engine
compartment toward
the rear of the engine on
the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the cold ll line or a little higher. The cold ll line
is near the bottom of the surge tank and has an arrow
pointing down at it.
Adding Coolant
If more coolant is needed, 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. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
{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. 3.8L V6 Engine shown,
3.6L V6 Engine
similar
5-26

{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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-30.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light on the instrument panel cluster that indicate
an overheated engine condition. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-41andEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-40for more
information.
In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), you will nd an ENGINE
COOLANT HOT and a REDUCED POWER STOP
WHEN SAFE message displayed on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59
for more information.
5-27

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

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