engine BUICK LUCERNE 2011 Manual PDF

Black plate (7,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean and avoid problems
due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors. It is available at your dealer.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available
in your area. We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not
be used in vehicles that were not designed for those
fuels.Notice:
This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce spark plug life and affect emission control
system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp
might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer for
service.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel
cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all other
vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described
under Gasoline Octane on page 6‑6.
We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that are
designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable”
fuel, meaning it is made from renewable sources such
as corn and other crops.
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Black plate (9,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club,
or contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{WARNING:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions
on the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine
when refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when
refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away
from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver side of the vehicle. If the vehicle
has E85 fuel capability, the fuel cap will be yellow and
state that E85 or gasoline can be used. SeeFuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 6‑7.
To open the fuel door, push the rearward center edge in
and release and it will open.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the
cap is released too soon, it will spring back to the right.
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Black plate (12,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{WARNING:
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.
{WARNING:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, 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.
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Black plate (14,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.9L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
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Black plate (15,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
A.Underhood Fuse Block on page 6‑108.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 6‑44.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 6‑38.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling
System on page 6‑27.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System
on
page 6‑27.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power
Steering Fluid on page 6‑37. G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
“When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑18.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑18.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑24.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”under
Brakes on page 6‑39.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑23.
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Black plate (16,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
When you open the hood on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
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Black plate (17,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
A.Underhood Fuse Blockon page 6‑108.
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑44.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 6‑38.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 6‑27.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑44.
F. Power Steering Fluid on page 6‑37. G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
“When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑18.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑18.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” under Brakes on page 6‑39.
J. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick (Out of View). See Automatic Transmission Fluid
on page 6‑24.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑23.
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Black plate (18,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance and long life,
careful attention must be paid to engine oil. Following
these simple, but important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Always use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and maintain
the proper oil level. See“Checking Engine Oil”and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate time. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 6‑22.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See “What
to Do with Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 6‑14for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level reading is essential: 1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and allow several minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan. Checking the oil level
too soon after engine shutoff will not provide an
accurate oil level reading.
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.
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Black plate (19,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
When to Add Engine Oil
3.9L V6 Engine
4.6L V8 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of
the dipstick, add 1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” in this section for an explanation of what
kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑116. Notice:
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above or
below the acceptable operating range shown on the
dipstick are harmful to the engine. If you find that
you have an oil level above the operating range, i.e.,
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. You
should drain out the excess oil or limit driving of the
vehicle and seek a service professional to remove
the excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment
Overviewon page 6‑14for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when through.
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Black plate (20,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on both the
proper oil specification and viscosity grade:
Specification
Use and ask for engine oils with the dexos™
certification mark. Oils meeting the requirements of the
vehicle should have the dexos certification mark on the
container. This certification mark indicates that the oil
has been approved to the dexos specification.
This vehicle was filled at the factory with
dexos‐approved engine oil.Notice:
Use only engine oil that is approved to
the dexos specification or an equivalent engine
oil of the appropriate viscosity grade. Engine oils
approved to the dexos specification will show the
dexos symbol on the container. Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or equivalent can result in
engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
If you are unsure whether the oil is approved to the
dexos specification, ask your service provider.
Use of Substitute Engine Oils if dexos is unavailable:
In the event that dexos‐approved engine oil is not
available at an oil change or for maintaining proper
oil level, you may use substitute engine oil displaying
the API Starburst symbol and of SAE 5W-30 viscosity
grade. Use of oils that do not meet the dexos
specification, however, may result in reduced
performance under certain circumstances.
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