oil BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Guide

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications 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:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer
for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. 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 your
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.
360

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, 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.
Hood Release
1. To open the hood,
rst pull the handle
with this symbol
on it. It is located
inside the vehicle
under the instrument
panel on the
driver’s side.
364

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 374.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 384.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 391.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 390.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 375.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 369.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 382.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 369.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 397.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 392.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 396.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 465.
367

A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 384.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 374.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 391.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 369.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 375.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 369.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 382.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 397.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 390.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 392.K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 465.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 396.
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 366
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.
369

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the L mark for the L6 engine or
the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick
for the V8 engine, 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 474.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the cross-hatched area (F) that shows the
proper operating range for the L6 engine or
above the cross-hatched area for the
V8 engine, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 366for 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.
L6 Engine
V8 Engine
370

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.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.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 use only those 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.
371

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 the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
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 message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) will
come. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 202. Change your oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). 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, the
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 the
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 the last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
372

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine 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 message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, 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 message comes back on when you start the
vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 198
to reset the system.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
373

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 366for the
location of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 479for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter,
do the following:
1. Remove the screws on the engine air
cleaner/lter and lift off the cover.
2. Remove the air cleaner/lter from the housing.
Care should be taken to dislodge as little dirt
as possible.
3. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
4. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
374

{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 your 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
Additional Required Services on page 482, and be
sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 489.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
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 your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could come out
and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system
parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
375