BUICK RAINIER 2004 Owner's Manual

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.3. Lift the hood; release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in
the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all ller caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from its slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then pull the
hood down rmly to close. It will latch when dropped from
6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) without pressing on the hood.
5-13

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the L6 engine, you’ll see the following:
5-14

A. Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-23.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-39.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-24.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.G. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
I. Remote Negative (–) TerminalMarked GND.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-45.
J. Brake Master Cylinder.
SeeBrakes on page 5-41.
K. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-44.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse Block” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
5-15

When you open the hood on the V8 engine, you’ll see the following:
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A. Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-23.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-24.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.G. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal Marked GND.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-45.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
J. Brake Master Cylinder.
SeeBrakes on page 5-41.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse block” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
L. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-44.
5-17

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your 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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
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.L6 Engine
V8 Engine
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the L mark for the L6 engine or
the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for
the V8 engine, then you will need to add at least one
quart 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 5-113.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
F mark that shows the proper operating range
for the L6 engine or above the cross-hatched area
for the V8 engine, your engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all
the way back in when you are through.
5-19

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.
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SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, if it is going to be
0°F (–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not
available, you may use SAE 10W-30.
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 useonlythose 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.
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 your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
5-21

When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
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 light will come on. Change your
oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop
for fuel. 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 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.
How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Light
The GM 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 light
being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL light, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within ve seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL light comes back on when
you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system has
not reset. Repeat the procedure.
For vehicles with the Driver Information Center, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-43to reset
the system.
5-22