oil BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Guide

Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine)
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at or above the
FULL COLD mark when the engine is cold. The
coolant level should be above the FULL COLD
mark under normal operating conditions. If it is not,
you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
354

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.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.
If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 347
for more information.
{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 in the coolant recovery tank is
at the FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
356

3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover
shield to access the bleed valve.
3.1. Clean the area around the engine oil ll
tube and cap before removing. Twist
the oil ll tube, with cap attached,
counterclockwise and remove it.
3.2. Lift the engine cover shield at the front,
slide the catch tab out of the engine
bracket and remove the cover shield.
3.3. Put the oil ll tube, with cap attached, in
the valve cover oil ll hole until you are
ready to replace the cover shield.4. After the engine
cools, open the
coolant air bleed
valve. There is one
bleed valve. It is
located on the
thermostat housing.
5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 347
for more information about the proper coolant
mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise,
close the valve after the radiator is lled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the
engine and the compartment.
358

7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover
shield.
7.1. Remove the oil ll tube, with cap
attached, from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over
the hole in the valve cover. Install oil ll
tube and cap by twisting clockwise.
8. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the
FULL COLD mark.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.10. Start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the
radiator ller neck may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture through the ller neck until the
level reaches the base of the ller neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time
during this procedure if coolant begins to ow
out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the arrow on the pressure
cap lines up properly.
359

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If
you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 353for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the level is not at the FULL COLD
mark located on the side of the surge tank,
add enough of a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank to bring the level to the FULL COLD
mark, but be sure the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap (if equipped), is
cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 347for more information.
361

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{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 coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
362

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 452.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 422.
368

Cold Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up
heat from driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 392.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant, but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand,
and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 307.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 307.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
rear axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 307.Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on
light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging
from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible ination pressure
for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of
curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of
occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied
by 150 lbs (68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 307.
390

9. Install the compact spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you do, the nuts might come loose.
Your wheel could fall off, causing a
serious accident.
10. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded
end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten
each nut by hand until the wheel is held
against the hub.11. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
414

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inated
when the vehicle was new, it can lose air after
a time. Check the ination pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle,
stop as soon as possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles
(5 000 km), so you can nish your trip and have
the full-size tire repaired or replaced at your
convenience. Of course, it is best to replace the
spare with a full-size tire as soon as possible. The
spare tire will last longer and be in good shape
in case it is needed again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed,
do not take your vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails. That can
damage the tire and wheel, and maybe
other parts of your vehicle.Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires. They will not t.
Keep the spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact
spare. Using them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains too. Do not use tire
chains on your compact spare.
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its
best if it is cleaned often. Although not always
visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather,
and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is
recommended to remove particles from your
upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery
from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible.
Your vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of
heat that could cause stains to set rapidly.
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