battery BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Guide

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 385.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 178.
E. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 452.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 370.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 367.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 378.
I. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling
System on page 370.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 353.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 353.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 360.M. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling
System on page 370.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 358.
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 350
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.
353

Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
replacement battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 350for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
If the battery has a very low charge or is dead,
you may not be able to remove the ignition
key from the ignition switch or shift out of
PARK (P). Refer toShifting Out of Park (P)
on page 120.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
25 days or more, remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery. This will help keep the
battery from running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 385for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
384

Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode
or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in
costly damage to your vehicle that would
not be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it will not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
vehicles with 12-volt systems with negative
grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper
cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are
not touching each other. If they are, it could
cause a ground connection you do not want.
You would not be able to start your vehicle, and
the bad grounding could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling,
set the parking brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put an
automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle in NEUTRAL before setting the
parking brake.
385

Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette lighter or the accessory power
outlets. Turn off the radio and all lamps
that are not needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
4. Open the hood on the other vehicle and
locate the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on that vehicle.
You will not use your vehicle’s battery for jump
starting. It has a remote positive (+) jump
starting terminal, located on the underhood
fuse block, for that purpose. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 350for more
information on location.To uncover the remote
positive (+) terminal,
press the tab at
the bottom of the fuse
block and lift the
cover up.
Always use the remote positive (+) terminal
instead of the positive (+) terminal on the battery.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
3.8L V6 Engine shown,
3.6L V6 Engine
similar
386

{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can
injure you badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts once the engine is
running.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need
more light.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle. But
if a battery has ller caps, be sure the
right amount of uid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that rst. If you
do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can
burn you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
387

5. Check that the jumper cables do not have
loose or missing insulation. If they do, you
could get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+)
will go to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one. Negative will
go to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Notice:If you connect a negative cable to the
Engine Control Module (ECM), ECM mounting
bracket or any cables that attach to the
ECM bracket, you may damage the ECM.
Attach the negative cable to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part, other than the ECM, ECM
bracket or cables attached to the ECM bracket.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−), or
you will get a short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts too. And do
not connect the negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the dead battery
because this can cause sparks.6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal location on the vehicle
with the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
3.8L V6 Engine shown, 3.6L V6 Engine similar
388

7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect
it to the positive (+) terminal location on
the vehicle with the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to
the negative (−) terminal location on the
vehicle with the good battery. Use a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything
until the next step. The other end of the
negative (−) cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a remote negative (–)
terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.9. Connect the other end of the negative (−)
cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from
the dead battery, but not near engine
parts that move. The electrical connection
is just as good there, and the chance of
sparks getting back to the battery is
much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery
and run the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead
battery. If it will not start after a few tries,
it probably needs service.
389

Notice:If the jumper cables are connected
or removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Always connect and remove
the jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do not touch
each other or other metal.
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or
Remote Negative (−) Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and
Remote Negative (−) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal
Jumper Cable Removal
390

To disconnect the jumper cables from both
vehicles, do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from
the vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from
the vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
5. Return the fuse block cover to its original
position.
Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim has been preset at the factory
and should need no further adjustment
However, If the vehicle is damaged in an accident,
the headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at
you, this may also mean the vertical aim needs to
be adjusted.It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer for service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim
the headlamps as described in the following
procedure.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall.
The vehicle must have all four tires on a
perfectly level surface which is level all the way
to the wall.
The vehicle should be placed so it is
perpendicular to the wall.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or
mud on it.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and all
other work stopped while headlamp aiming is
being done.
The vehicle should be normally loaded with a
full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs
(75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inated.
391

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer
rst. Some electrical equipment can damage
your vehicle and the damage would not
be covered by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain your vehicle’s battery,
even if your vehicle is not operating.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to your
vehicle, seeServicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 80.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit
breaker in the underhood fuse block. An electrical
overload will cause the headlamps to go on
and off, or in some cases to remain off. If this
happens, have the headlamp system checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a
circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats
due to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop
until the motor cools. If the overload is caused by
some electrical problem, have it xed.
449