radiator BUICK REGAL 2004 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If no problem has been found yet, but the coolant level
is not at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant
at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re 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.
{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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, start the vehicle.
5-34

If the overheated warnings continue, there is one more
thing that can be done. Add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done.
{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 the
rst stop. Do not press down while turning the
pressure cap.
5-35

1. The radiator pressure cap can be removed when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
If a hiss is heard, 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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield
to access the bleed valve.
5-36

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 the
ller neck. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-26for more
information about the
proper coolant mixture.
If a stream of coolant is coming from an air bleed
valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the
valve after the radiator is lled.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 oil ll 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 oil ll tube and
cap by twisting clockwise.
7.4. If the vehicle has a supercharged engine,
install the nut in the center of the cover
shield.
5-38

8. Then ll 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 the upper
radiator hose feels that it is getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
5-39

Maintenance Footnotes
†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.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, console
door and any folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.
6-7

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-26for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)For supercharged engines onl: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper supercharger
oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs
rst). See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-8

Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-43
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
Full-Range Traction Control System..................... 4-9
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-98
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-98
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-34
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specications............................................... 5-5Glove Box.....................................................2-35
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities............................................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-53
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-98
Headlamps....................................................5-55
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-55
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-56
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-55
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-42
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-34
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-35
6

Parking
Brake........................................................2-24
Over Things That Burn.................................2-28
Parking on Hills..............................................4-44
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter.....................................................3-25
Passenger Control..........................................3-23
Passing.................................................4-14, 4-43
PASS-Key
®II .................................................2-16
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-15
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-57
Playing a CD.........................................3-50, 3-59
Playing the Radio...................................3-45, 3-52
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-16
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-98
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-40
Windows....................................................2-15
Power Steering...............................................4-12
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Data System (RDS).......................3-48, 3-55
Radio Messages.....................................3-50, 3-57
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-63
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-64
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-52
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-61
Understanding Reception..............................3-62
RDS Messages......................................3-49, 3-56
Reading Lamps..............................................3-15
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-24
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-21
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rear Window Defogger............................3-19, 3-24
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-32
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar
®..............................................2-32
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-31
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
10