BUICK REGAL 2003 Owner's Manual

If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
Notice:Your engine has a specic radiator
ll procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it
first stops. Don’t press down while turning the
pressure cap.
5-31
2003 - Regal OM

1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield
to access the bleed valve.
5-32
2003 - Regal OM

3.1. Clean the area around the engine oilfill tube
and cap before removing. Twist the oilfill
tube, with cap attached, counterclockwise
and remove it.3.2. If you have the supercharged engine,
remove the nut in the center of the cover
shield.
3.3. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide
the catch tab out of the engine bracket and
remove the cover shield.
3.4. Put the oilfill tube, with cap attached, in the
valve cover oilfill hole until you’re ready to
replace the cover shield.
5-33
2003 - Regal OM

4. After the engine cools,
open the coolant air
bleed valve. The bleed
valve is located on
the thermostat housing.
5. Fill the radiator with the
proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture, up to the
base of thefiller neck.
SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22for 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 isfilled.6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
7.1. Remove the oilfill tube, with cap attached,
from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over the
hole in the valve cover. Install oilfill tube and
cap by twisting clockwise.
7.4. If you have the supercharged engine, install
the nut in the center of the cover shield.
5-34
2003 - Regal OM

8. Thenfill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
mark on the coolant recovery tank.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through thefiller neck until the level reaches
the base of thefiller neck.
5-35
2003 - Regal OM

12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins toflow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steeringfluid reservoir is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle at the back of the engine
compartment, and can be identified by the above
graphic on the cap.
5-36
2003 - Regal OM

When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. Afluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at thefluid level on the
dipstick.If thefluid is at the ADD mark, you should addfluid.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level should
be at the HOT mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind offluid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.
Always use the properfluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-37
2003 - Regal OM

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washerfluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use afluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-10for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washerfluid until the
tank is full.Notice:
When using concentrated washeruid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washeruid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washeruid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t
clean as well as washeruid.
Fill your washeruid tank only three-quarters
full when it’s very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-38
2003 - Regal OM

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment. It isfilled with
DOT-3 brakefluid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10.There are only two reasons why the brakefluid level in
the reservoir might go down. Thefirst is that the
brakefluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
thefluid level goes back up. The other reason is
thatfluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake systemfixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to“top off”your brakefluid.
Adding brakefluid won’t correct a leak. If you addfluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too
muchfluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brakefluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brakeuid, it can spill on
the engine. Theuid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
5-39
2003 - Regal OM

When your brakefluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-31.
What to Add
When you do need brakefluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brakefluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-16.
Always clean the brakefluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind ofuid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brakeuid.
Notice:
Using the wronguid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind ofuid.
If you spill brakeuid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintnish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakeuid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index. United States
Canada
5-40
2003 - Regal OM