engine overheat BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{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. 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.If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the COLD FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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.
5-36

{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 FILL line, start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the cooling system through the
coolant ll neck under the pressure cap, 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.
5-37

How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (3.6L V6 Engine)
Notice:The engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause the engine to overheat and
be severely damaged. If the engine’s cooling system
needs to be drained and re-lled, please see the
dealer/retailer.
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 5-27for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5-38

5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
FILL 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 dealer/retailer service
department inspect the vehicle for leaks.
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.
5-39

How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (5.3L V8 Engine)
Notice:The engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause the engine to overheat and
be severely damaged. If the engine’s cooling system
needs to be drained and re-lled, please see the
dealer/retailer.
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 5-27Engine Coolant
for more information about the proper coolant
mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5-42

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-23
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-45
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Coolant......................................................5-27
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Life System...........................................5-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-32
Overheating................................................5-30
Reduced Power Light...................................3-46
Starting......................................................2-26
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-7
Warning Light.............................................3-39
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-15F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finish Damage.............................................5-105
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-86
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-87
Flat Tire, Storing.....................................5-95, 5-97
Fluid.............................................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-43
Windshield Washer......................................5-44
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-49
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-48
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-48
Running Out of...........................................2-37
5

MP3 .............................................................3-97
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-5
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-19
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-24
O
Odometer......................................................3-32
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-45
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Light.............................................3-45
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-43
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-48
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-19Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-40
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-40
Power Mirrors.............................................2-40
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-18
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-32
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-105
Park Aid........................................................2-41
Park Brake....................................................2-32
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-33
Shifting Out of............................................2-35
Parking
Assist........................................................2-41
Over Things That Burn.................................2-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-34
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-29
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-62
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III ................................................2-22
PASS-Key®III Operation..................................2-22
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
9