oil level BUICK LUCERNE 2009 Owner's Manual

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL ON
This message displays when the automatic headlamps
are turned on. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-15for
more information.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable
level. The battery saver system starts reducing certain
features of the vehicle that you may be able to notice.
At the point that the features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to save the
charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required for
the vehicle. See your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-17andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
Acknowledging the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen under the
vehicle information menu. See “Oil Life” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-49andEngine Oil
Life System on page 5-20.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires needs to
be checked. This message also displays LEFT FRONT,
RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to
indicate which tire needs to be checked. You can receive
more than one tire pressure message at a time. To read
the other messages that may have been sent at the
same time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can.
Have the tire pressures checked and set to those shown
on the Tire Loading Information label. SeeTires on
page 5-59,Loading the Vehicle on page 4-18, and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-66. The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values. SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-49. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light comes on. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 3-43.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the driver door is not
closed properly. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
3-57

OIL LEVEL LOW ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message displays when the
vehicle’s engine oil is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-14for the engine oil ll location. Also, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-17for information on the kind of oil to use
and the proper oil level.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-46.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible when this message is displayed.
PARK ASSIST OFF
If your vehicle has this feature, after the vehicle has
been started, this message will reminder the driver
that the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system
has been turned off. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC
display. To turn the URPA system back on, see “Park
Assist” underDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-49.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-38
for more information.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the front passenger door
is not closed properly. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
RAINSENSE WIPERS ACTIVE
If your vehicle has this feature, this message
displays while the Rainsense™ system is active.
SeeRainsense™ II Wipers on page 3-10for more
information.
3-60

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-59.
Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having it
serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a safe
place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-13

A.Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-101.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-46.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-26.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 5-26.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-38.G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-23.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-40.
K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
5-15

A.Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-101.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-46.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-26.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-46.
F. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-38.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.
J. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-23.
K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.Engine Oil
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 5-14
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.
5-17

When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the
dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended
oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-109.
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 5-14for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
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. 3.9L V6 Engine
4.6L V8 Engine
5-18

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates 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 is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system
must be reset every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-20

To reinstall the cover:
1. Align the two hinges located on the inboard side of
the cover.
2. Push the cover slightly down and towards the
engine to engage the tabs in the hinges and
align the two screws.
3. Tighten the two screws on the top of the engine air
cleaner/lter cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into the engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when
you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4, and be sure to
use the transmission uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-23

Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core,
and other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine Coolant Engine Coolant
for more information.
5-29

Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could be
damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
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
in the cooling system.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If
coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or abovethe FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine Coolant for more
information.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{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.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
5-33