engine overheat BUICK LESABRE 1993 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above
“FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and
a proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine
Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)
‘A CAUTION: Q
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vbhicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the properecoolant mix. With
plain water or the’wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot
but you douldn’t get the overheat
warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
a proper antifreeze.”
I NOTICE 1
I fr ze an :rack In cold weather, water c
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Us€
the recommended coolant. I
211

A 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. Don’t
spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above “FULL COLD,” start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try.
You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system
is
cool before you do it.
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 radiatorpressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure
cap to cool if you ever have40
turn the pressure cap.
212

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must
use caution.
1 LAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
own on the speedometer.
I
I AOTICE:
Spinning your troy pal I
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between
“R” (Reverse) and a forward gear ,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle
is in gear. If
that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Car” in the Index.

3.
4.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONa-IIE, because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONs-IIE
is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34OF (-37OC) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128 “C) .
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
243

parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change.
If you use these, you
don’t need
to add anything else.
I k!, CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too
hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire
and you or
others could be burned.
Use a 5050 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
I
I NO IC i:
IT you use an Improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can treeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and other
parts.
Adding Coolant

To Check Coolant: When your engine is cold, the
coolant level should
be at “FULL COLD,’’ or a little
higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be
up to “FULL HOT,” or a little higher.
To Add Coolant: If you need more coolant, add the
proper mix at the coolant recovery tank.
I
I
A CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can
allow steam and
scaldlng
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.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill
it.
A CAUTION: I
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
-..d
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
I Tour rar
I I.
cap IS a 13 PSI (105 kPa1
pressure-rype cap and must be tightly Insrawe
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows
o
I
the cap line up with
radiator filler neck. I
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
245

Electric Outside Mirror Control .................... 100
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.................. 128. 269
Emergencies. Braking
............................ 163
Emergencies on the Road
.......................... 195
Emergencies. Steering in
......... ; ................ 164
Emergency Starting. Dead Battery
................... 198
Emergency Wrecker Towing
....................... 203
Engine Energy Conserving
Oil ............................ 237
Block Heater
.............................. 72. 239
Coolant
................................. 21 1. 243
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
.............. 110
Exhaust
...................................... 81
Identification
................................. 269
Oil
......................................... 236
Oil Additives
................................. 239
Oil Life Monitor
.............................. 114
Oil Pressure Warning Light
..................... 112
Oil. When to Change
...................... 239. 277
Overheating
.................................. 208
Starting
...................................... 70
Warning Light. Need for Service
................. 111
Ethanol in Gasoline
.............................. 231
Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts
............... 37
Explanation of Scheduled Services
.................. 286
Expressway Driving
.............................. 176
Extender. Safety Belt
.............................. 55
Exterior Appearance ............................. 265 Fasteners.
Replacement
.......................... 230
Features and Controls
............................. 57
Fetus. Risk to
.. From Safety Belt Use ................ 37
Filling Your Fuel Tank
............................ 233
Filter. Oil
...................................... 275
Finish Care
..................................... 266
Finish Damage
.................................. 267
First Gear. When to Use
............................ 75
Flat Tire
....................................... 216
Flooded Engine. Starting a
.......................... 70
Fluid
Capacities
................................... 275
Brake
....................................... 248
Power Steering
........... ; ................... 246
Transaxle/Transmission
........................ 241
Windshield Washer
............................ 247
Fluids and Lubricants Recommended
................ 293
FM Stereo Radio Reception
........................ 127
Fog. Driving
in .................................. 173
Francais. Guide En
................................. 2
Freedom Battery
................................. 249
Freeway Driving
................................ 176
French LanguageManual
........................... 2
Front Brake Disc Wear Indicators
................... 162
Front Towing Hook-Ups
.......................... 206
Fuel
.......................................... 231
Fuel Gage
...................................... 106
Fuel Tank. Filling Your
........................... 233
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................ 270
Fuseusage ..................................... 271
Foreign Operation
............................... 232
308

Outside Mirrors .................................. 99
Overdrive. Automatic
............................. 74
Overheated Engine
............................... 208
P (park) Position ................................ 74
PaintSpoaing
................................... 267
Park Shifting Into
................................ 78
Park, Shifting Out of
.............................. 80
Parking Brake .................................... 76
Parking on Hills
................................. 182
Parking Over Things That Burn
...................... 80
PASS-Key, Theft Deterrent System ................... 67
Pavement Markings
.............................. 153
PedalTravel, Brake
.............................. 163
Perception Time in Braking
........................ 158
Polishing and Waxing
............................ 266
Power
Antennacare
................................ 142
Seat Controls
.................................. 15
PanelLights
..................................... 96
passing
........................................ 166
Door Locks
................................... 61
Steering
..................................... 163
Whdows
..................................... 82
Pressure, Tire
................................... 256
Steering Fluid
................................ 247
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts During
................ 37
Problems on the Road
............................ 195
proper Safety Belt Usage for Adults
.................. 17
Publications Order Form
.......................... 303
Publications, Service
............................. 300
Push-Starting Your Car
........................... 198
R (Reverse) Gear Position ............... : .......... 74
Racing. Shifting When Your Engine is
................ 74
Radiator Overheating
............................. 208
Radiator Pressure Cap
............................ 245
Radio. Two-way. Adding a
........................ 128
Radio Systems
................................... 127
Rain. Driving in
................................. 171
Reaction Time in Braking
......................... 158
Reading Lights
................................... 97
Rear Door Security Lock
........................... 65
Rear Passenger ComforTemp
....................... 119
Rear Towing Hook-Ups
........................... 207
Rear Window Defogger
....................... 124, 127
Reclining Front Seatbacks
.......................... 15
Recovery,
Off Road .............................. 166
Recreational Vehicle Towing
....................... 189
Remote Keyless Entry System
....................... 61
Remote Trunk Release
............................. 83
Replacement Light Bulbs
.......................... 274
Replacing Safety Belts
............................. 55
Replacing Tires ................................. 256
Replacing Wheels ............................... 260
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 299
Restarting Your Car When It’s Moving
................ 74
Restraint, Child
.................................. 43
Restraint Systems, Checking Your
.................... 55
Reverse Gear Position ............................. 74
“Riding” the Brakes
.............................. 159
Road Signs 146
Roads, Hill and Mountain
......................... 180
Rocking Your Vehicle
............................ 228
RearBrakes
.................................... 163
Replacing Brake System Parts
....................... 249
Restraints, Head
.................................. 17
.....................................
311

Steam From Hot (Overheated) Engine ................ 208
Steep Hill Parking
............................... 182
Steering
....................................... 163
Steering in Emergencies
........................... 164
Steering Wheel. Tilt
............................... 84
Steering Without Power Assist ..................... 163
Stereo Sound Systems
............................ 127
Storage Armrest
................................. 104
Storing Your Car
................................ 249
Stuck. If Your Ignition Key
is ....................... 70
Stuck. If Your Car is
.............................. 228
SunVisors
..................................... 101
Subscribing to
Buick Product Service Publications
...... 301
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System
(SIR) ......... 33
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System Light
......... 33
Symbols on Road Signs
........................... 15 1
Symbols Used
on Your Car ......................... 12
Table of Contents
................................ 13
Tachometer
..................................... 116
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
........................ 252
Tamper-Resistance of Odometer
.................... 105
TapePlayerCare
................................ 141
Theft
........................................... 66
Theft Deterrent System. PASS-Key
................... 67
Thermostat ..................................... 246
Third Gear. When to Use
........................... 75
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................... 84
Time. Setting the
..................... 130.132.134. 137
Time Out Feature. Lights
........................... 96
Tire Balance
.................................... 260
Tire Chains
..................................... 261 Tire. Flat
....................................... 216
Tire Inflation
................................... 256
Tire Inspection and Rotation
....................... 257
Tire Quality Grading
............................. 259
Tires
.......................................... 255
Tires. When
to Replace ........................... 258
Tires. White Sidewall Cleaning
..................... 266
Torn Safety Belts
................................. 56
Torque Lock. Automatic Transaxle
.................. 184
Towing a Trailer
................................. 189
TQwing Your Car ................................ 203
Traction Control System
.......................... 162
Trademarks.
GM ................................ 230
Traffic Lights
................................... 152
Traffic Officer
.................................. 153
Trailer Brakes
................................... 192
Trailer Towing
.................................. 189
Transaxleflransmission Automatic
................... 73
Transaxle Fluid
.............................. 241. 277
Travel. Brake Pedal
.............................. 163
Trip Odometer
.................................. 105
Trunk Release. Remote
............................ 83
Turn Signalmeadlight Beam Lever
................... 85
Twisted Safety Belts ............................... 31
Traction
Control System Warning Light
.............. 109
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............... 85
Two Children Wearing the Same Safety Belt ............ 53
Underbody Maintenance ......... .... ... ... ...... 267
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
...................... 259
Unleaded Gasoline
............................... 231
Uphill Parking
.................................. 183
. 313