BUICK REGAL 1996 Owners Manual

When you open the hood of the 3.8L L36 engine, you’ll see:
r
A. Engine Coolant
Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
It‘ A
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
J. Battery (located under
Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir)
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
hgine
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in
LOW OIL
LEVEL
the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot and the vehicle must be on level ground. 3.1L
LS2 (Code
M) Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front
of the engine.
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3.8L L36 (Code K) Engine
Checking Engine Oil
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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll
need to add some oil. But
you must use the right
kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
Turn off the engine and give the oil
20 minutes to drain
back into
the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level. NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that
shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
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I
I
3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine 3.8L L36 (CodeK) Engine
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your ’own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL -------ylY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VlSCOSlTV
bnmws DIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE. -
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
"F
4- 100
+ 801
t 60.
+ 40-
t 20
0.
j
,
+ 16
i4
-7
COLD
WEATHER
SAE CW-30 PREFERRED
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3.1 L L82 (Code M) Engine
As shown in the chart, unless you have the 3.8L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE low-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 20W-50.
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL r---'--lY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY G...."- ,I1 FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
- "F "C
+loo- - +38
+eo- - +27
+60--+16
t40--+4
t20---7
0---18
/
WOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
'I I I--
SAE 1OW-3fl PREFERRED above 0°F
SAE 5W-30 (-1eOc)
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you nave the 3.8L engine, SAE
low-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (16°C)
before your next oil change. When it's very cold, you
should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container
show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified 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.
1 .ILIVC
Don't add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
3.8L L36 (Code
K) Engine
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for
your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t 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 throw
away 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 real threat
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from
the filter before disposal. Don’t ever 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.
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1
To check or replace the air filter, remove the four screws
and pull off
the cover.
Pull out the filter. Be sure to install the air filter and
install the cover tightly when you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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L
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t
drive with it
off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine
oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous ten-ain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
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How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done
at your Buick dealer 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 fluid can damage your
1 transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
~ operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
1 I (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed
up by driving about 15 mues
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may
have to drive longer.
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