oil dipstick BUICK REGAL 1998 Owners Manual

Low Oil Level Light
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressL-d is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your
oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
LOW
OIL
Your engine is equipped
with an oil level monitoring
system. When the ignition
key
is turned on, the
LOW
OIL light will come
on briefly.
If the light does not come on briefly, have it fixed
so it
will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine
off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See “Engine Oil” in the Index.) If
the light does not flash, have the
low oil level sensor
system repaired
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.
The oil
level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the oil normally in
circulation
to drain back into the oil pan.
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When you open the hood on the 3800 (Code K) Engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+)
Battery Terminal
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Automatic Transaxle
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
K. Air Cleaner
Fluid
Dipstick
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When you open the hood of the 3800 (Code 1) Supercharged Engine, you’ll see:
H
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) H. Automatic Transaxle
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E Engine Oil Dipstick J. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap K. Air Cleaner
Battery Terminal
Fluid Dipstick
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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.
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.
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When to Add Engine 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.
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.
The engine oil fill cap is located toward the front
of the engine near the yellow-looped engine oil
dipstick handle.
Be sure to 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.
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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. Pull out the dipstick.
2. 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 one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-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.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.” 4.
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL6 extended life coolant.
J
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 DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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Service Station Checkpoints
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
FLUID
P6-28
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK REMOTE POSITIVE
BATTERY TERMINAL
P5-5 / TI RES
P6-13
SECONDARY
HOOD RELEASE
P6-9
I1 I I
P \
ENGINE COOLANT
RECOVERY TANK P5-19 AND P6-26 HOOD
RELEASE
P6-9 FUEL DOOR
P6-6
For
detailed information, refer to the page number listed, or see the Index in the back of the owner’s manual.
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