3.8L engine BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Manual

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On vehicles with the 3.8L V6 engine,
the coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly. On vehicles with the 4.6L
V8 engine, the cord is located on the driver’s
side of the vehicle on the right side of the
engine air cleaner. It is between the engine
cover and the engine air cleaner.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact your dealer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
118

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

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your engine. You will nd the VIN at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 427.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine (VIN
Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
If your vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN
Code Y), use premium unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also
use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may
be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you
may notice a heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you
are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
327

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.8L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
334

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

How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid (3.8L Engine)
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage the transaxle. Too much can mean that
some of the uid could come out and fall on hot
engine or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
ve minutes.
344

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
For the 3.8L V6 engine
the transaxle uid
dipstick top is a round
loop with this symbol.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 334for 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
cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
3.8L V6 Engine
345

Checking Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine)
This symbol is located
on the cap of the engine
coolant recovery tank.
The engine coolant recovery tank is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 334for more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. 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 raise.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the coolant
recovery tank, but be careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding 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.
{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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the
radiator, see Index. When replacing the pressure
cap, make sure to turn cap until it clicks.
349

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

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 452for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer for more
information.
Automatic Transaxle- Drain and Rell
3.8L V6 Engine 7.4 qt 7.0L
4.6L V8 Engine 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Engine Cooling System
3.8L V6 Engine 11.8 qt 11.2 L
4.6L V8 Engine 12.7 qt 12.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter
3.8L V6 Engine 4.5 qt 4.3 L
4.6L V8 Engine 7.5 qt 7.1 L
436