350 BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Manual

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located in
the engine compartment below the air inlet
grille, near the passenger’s side windshield wiper
arm. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 350.
The lter traps most of the pollen from the air
entering the air conditioning module. Like
the engine’s air cleaner lter, it needs to be
changed periodically to keep the air conditioning
working at its best. For information on how often to
change the passenger compartment air lter,
seeScheduled Maintenance on page 462.
To change the passenger compartment air lter,
use the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY and turn the
windshield wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF when the windshield
wipers are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose
from the fender rail and air inlet grille.5. Peel back the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle halfway to
the center of the hood.
6. Remove the three air inlet grille retainers.
7. Remove the air inlet grille.
8. Remove the water deector panel.
9. Remove the old air
lter by pulling up
on its tab.
178

LOW OIL LEVEL
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 350for the engine oil ll location. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 353for information on the kind
of oil to use and the proper oil level.
The message displays and a chime sounds while
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear
it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
Notice:If the LOW OIL PRESSURE warning
message appears on the DIC display, stop the
vehicle immediately. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is
corrected. Severe engine damage can result
from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. See
Engine Oil on page 353for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also
appears on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil
Pressure Light on page 194.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage
can result from driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible when this message is
displayed.
This message displays only when the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds continuously when this
message is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged and
cleared from the screen. This message re-displays
for a few seconds if the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
217

LOW WASHER FLUID
This message displays when the windshield
washer uid is low. Fill the windshield washer
reservoir as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 350for the
location of the windshield washer reservoir. Also,
seeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 380for
more information.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the
DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and to
clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
PARKING BRAKE ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in
RUN, and the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h). Release the parking brake before
driving. SeeParking Brake on page 117for
more information.
The brake system warning light also appears on
the instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 186.
A chime sounds continuously while this message
is displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h).
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
218

Service........................................................ 340
Accessories and Modications................... 341
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 341
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 342
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 343
Fuel............................................................. 343
Gasoline Octane........................................ 343
Gasoline Specications.............................. 344
California Fuel........................................... 344
Additives................................................... 344
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 345
Filling the Tank......................................... 346
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 348
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 348
Hood Release........................................... 349
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 350
Engine Oil................................................. 353
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 356
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 358
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 360Engine Coolant.......................................... 363
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 367
Engine Overheating................................... 367
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 370
Cooling System......................................... 370
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 378
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 384
Jump Starting............................................ 385
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 391
Bulb Replacement....................................... 394
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 394
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 395
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps....... 397
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 398
License Plate Lamp................................... 400
Replacement Bulbs................................... 400
Windshield Replacement............................ 401
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
337

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.6L V6 engine, this is what you will see:
350

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

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the
tip of the dipstick, you will need to add at least
one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This section explains what kind of
oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 454.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.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 350for the
location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range in
the cross-hatched area. Push the dipstick all
the way back in when you are through.
3.6L V6 Engine
3.8L V6 Engine
354

Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 350for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 462for
more information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
3.6L V6 Engine shown, 3.8L V6 Engine similar
358

SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 350
for more information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read
the lower level. The uid level must be in
the crosshatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 470.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the crosshatched
area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 470.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
362

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 350for 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
recovery tank and has an arrow pointing
down at it.
3.8L V6 Engine shown,
3.6L V6 Engine
similar
365