transaxle BUICK REGAL 1996 Owner's Manual

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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Checking the Fluid Level
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
engine running.
in
PARK (P).
3. With
your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes,
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle dipstick
handle is the red loop
near the back of
the engine.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the
dipstick, and read the
lower level: The fluid
level must be in the'
cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add
only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1.
2.
0
0
Pull out the dipstick.
Using
a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the proper level. It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L).
Don t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONO-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level
as
described under “How to Check.”
When
the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to
-34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up
to’ 265 “F ( 129” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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Underhood Electrical Center -- Passenger's Side
Some fuses are in the underhood electrical center on the
passenger's side
of the engine compartment.
ODD RICMPT REL ECM BAT
~~~ A!C CONT TCC
~~~ FllNJN ECM IGN ELEK IGN
--
I l4 II I -1 J
Fuse Description
R/CMPT REL Remote Trunk Release
ECM BAT Powertrain Control Module
(PCM),
Fuel Pump, Fuel Pump
Relay, Fan Cont
#1 Relay
A/C CONT
TCC
F/IN J N
A/C CMPR Relay (VIN M only)
Automatic Transaxle, Transaxle
Range
Switch
Fuel Injectors
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Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement .............................. 7 quarts (6.7 L)
When draiizilzg/replacil.Ig convertec more,fluid may be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.1L(CodeM) ...................................... 11.6quarts(10.93L)
3.8L (Code
K) ....................................... 10.7 quarts (10.1 L)
Refrigerant (R-l34a), Air Conditioning* .................... 2.0 lbs (0.91 kg)
*See “Air Conditioning Refriger~-lnts”l~~tel- in th,is section.
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change ................................... 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
Wheel Nut Torque .................................... 100 Ib-ft (140 N.m)
Fuel Tank ........................................... 17.1 gallons (64.7 L)
Wiper Blade Lengths
Type ............................................................. Pin
Length
.................................................. 20”(508mm)
Note: All capacities are approximate when adding. Be sure to Jill to the
approximate level, as recommended in this manual.
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Defition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi, or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any of these conditions is that
these conditions cause erzgirze oil to break down soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving
in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement.
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These ilztervnls on.ly summarize mainteuance services.
Be sure to follow th.e complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
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Maintenance Schedule
Eg TripIHighway Definition
~~~ ~ ~~ ~
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down sloweK
I Long Tripmighway Intervals
.. ..
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) - Then Every
15,000 Miles (25
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark
Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- 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.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BYI
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
100,000 Miles (144 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use. ‘7
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
AI? E1nission Control
Service.
j-
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Em.ission
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission
Control Service.
Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- 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 andfilter do
not require changing.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED RE I
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I Long Trip/Hig'-way Maintenance Schedule I
4 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I I I 1
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32 O C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous rerram.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
lfyou do not use pour vehicle mder any of these
conditions,
the fluid and.filter do not require changing.
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