check oil BUICK REGAL 1997 User Guide

The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of
the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Qil
Pull out the dipstiik and clean it with a paper tuwel or
cloth, then push it back iri 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 at least one quart of 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.
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Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically qualified and have the proper
tools, you should let your dealer or a qualified service
center perform this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index
and use only the recommended oil.
How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool two to three hours after running.
If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while
the engine is hot, pressure may cause
hot oil to
blow out
of the oil fill hole. You may be burned.
Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
1.
2.
3.
3.
Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
Remove
the oil fill plug using a 3/16 inch Allen
wrench.
The oil level is correct when
it just reaches the
bottom
of the threads of the inspection hole.
Replace the oil plug with the O-ring
in place.
Torque to
88 lb-in (10 N-m).
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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:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (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.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Buick 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.
I I
I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
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.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean wnter (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have
your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
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Maintenance Schedule
Short TripKity Definition
Follow the Short TripKity 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).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow
a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
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 engine oil to break
down soonel:
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): Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Inspection, if driving
in dusty conditions.
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code 1 engine only).
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): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
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Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from
the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fidly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down
slowex
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every
36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code 1 engine only). 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 krn): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete nzaintenance schedule on
the following pages.
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* Your vehicle has an Engine Oil L’
Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
-f The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at
the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded. ~fe
Monitor. Thi
.s
monitor will show you when to change the oil -- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(1 2 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions,
the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or 12 months, (whichever
occurs first), without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in
a dusty area be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
SOON light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life
Monitor when the oil has been changed. For more
information, see
“CHANGE OIL SOON” light in
the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation.
See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection” in Part C
of this schedule.
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
0 For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add oil as needed
(or every
36 months, whichever occurs
first). See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
An Emission Control Service.
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule 1
0 For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add oil as needed
(or every
36 months, whichever occurs
first). See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in
the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
I I
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
SERVICED BY I
Il
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
An Emission Control Service.
0 For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add oil as needed
(or every 36 months, whichever occurs
first). See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
(See footnote
+.)
I I I 3
I
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
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