engine oil BUICK REGAL 2000 User Guide

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be
at or above the COLD mark
on the coolant recovery
tank. If it isn't, you may
have a leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the
cooling system.

5-14 How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn't at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX
-COOL
engine coolant at the
coolant recovery tank. (See ªEngine Coolantº in the
Index for more information.)
CAUTION:
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 mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.

5-17
3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield to
access the bleed valve.
A. Clean the area around the engine oil fill tube and
cap before removing. Twist the oil fill tube, with
cap attached, counterclockwise and remove it.
B. If you have the supercharged engine, remove the
nut in the center of the cover shield.
C. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide the
catch tab out of the engine bracket and remove
the cover shield.
D. Put the oil fill tube, with cap attached, in the valve
cover oil fill hole until you're ready to replace the
cover shield.

5-18
4. After the engine cools,
open the coolant air
bleed valve.
There is one bleed valve. It is located on the
thermostat housing.
5. Fill the radiator with the
proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture, up to
the base of the filler
neck. (See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index
for more information
about the proper
coolant mixture.)If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the
valve after the radiator is filled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from
the valve cover.
B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the
bracket on the engine.
C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in
the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by
twisting clockwise.
D. If you have the supercharged engine, install the
nut in the center of the cover shield.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 3800 Supercharged V6 Engine (If Equipped)
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-33 Battery6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-57 Cleaning Tires
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-66 Replacement Bulbs
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-5
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.
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 find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you're going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.

6-10
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirG. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-11
When you open the hood of the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirG. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
3800 Supercharged V6 Engine
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 Supercharged V6 engine.
The supercharger is a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air is mixed with fuel, which creates increased
engine power. Since the supercharger is a pump and is
driven from an engine accessory drive belt, increased
pressure is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
All of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 Supercharged V6 engine.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
panel, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Level Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your 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.