engine oil BUICK LUCERNE 2007 User Guide

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 351.
322

Service........................................................ 325
Accessories and Modications................... 325
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 326
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 326
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 327
Fuel............................................................. 327
Gasoline Octane........................................ 327
Gasoline Specications.............................. 328
California Fuel........................................... 328
Additives................................................... 328
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 329
Filling the Tank......................................... 330
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 332
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 332
Hood Release........................................... 333
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 334
Engine Oil................................................. 337
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 340
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 342
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 343
Engine Coolant.......................................... 347
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 351
Engine Overheating................................... 351Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 353
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine).............. 354
Cooling System (4.6L V8 Engine).............. 360
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 364
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 365
Brakes...................................................... 367
Battery...................................................... 370
Jump Starting............................................ 372
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 377
Bulb Replacement....................................... 380
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 380
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps ................................. 380
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.................. 382
License Plate Lamp................................... 383
Replacement Bulbs................................... 383
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 383
Tires............................................................ 385
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 386
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 389
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 392
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 393
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
323

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
332

A. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 351.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Index.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 364.
G. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. See Index.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 337.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 343.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.
335

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Index.
E. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 364.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 337.
H. Brake Master Cylinder. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 343.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.Engine Oil
If the OIL LEVEL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check the engine oil level
right away. For more information, seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
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 334
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.
337

When to Add Engine OilIf 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 436.
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 334for 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.
3.8L V6 Engine
4.6L V8 Engine
338

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for
and use only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the
container. This symbol
indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil
container, and use only those oils that are identied
as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the
starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied
For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure
to use the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
339

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will
provide easier cold starting and better protection
for the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 221. Change your oil as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
340

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message being turned on, reset the
system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset
the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on
the DIC for more than ve seconds. The oil
life will change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when you start your vehicle, the
Engine Oil Life System has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that
may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails
with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil
products.
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.
341

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 334
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
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. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 442for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.To inspect or replace the lter, do the following:
1. Loosen and remove the two screws on the
top of the engine air cleaner/lter cover.
2. Lift up the outboard side of the cover at an
angle while pulling toward you. This is
necessary due to the two hinges located on
the inboard side of the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that may be found in the
air cleaner base.
4. Inspect or replace the air lter element.
342