1993 BUICK REGAL oil change

Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways,
there are still many made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular
highways is the same in some ways. The trip has to be
planned and the vehicle prepared,
you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns
behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you and
your vehicle are in good shape. Here are some tips for a
successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
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Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Buick dealerships all across North America. They’ll be
ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Eng;ine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
- Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
On the Road
Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the
driving task with others. Limit turns behind
the wheel to
about
100 miles (160 km) or two hours at a sitting.
Then, either change drivers or stop for some refreshment
like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up.
But do stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way.
Heavier meals tend
to make some people sleepy.
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What Kind of Oil to Use:
Look for three things:
SG
“SG”
must be on the oil container, either by itself or
combined with other quality designations, such as
“SG/CC,” “SG/CD,” “SF,SG,CC,” etc. These letters
show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
If you have the 3.8L engine use: SAE 1OW-30
As shown in the viscosity chart,
SAE 1OW-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30
if it’s going to be colder than 60°F (16 “C) before
your next oil change. When it’s very cold, below
O°F (-18OC), you should use SAE 5W-30.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OllS
FOR BEST NE1 F””””7Y AND COW STARTING, SELECT RE LOWEST
SAE VlSCOSlTT
C ~. .- - JIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
-
HOT
WEATHER 7
“F
t 100
+ 80
t 60
+ 40
+ 20
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COLD
WEATHER
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES 6).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2 ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT REO IR 3ED
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When to Change Engine Oil: See if any one of these
is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
9 It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less
9 The engi.ne is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often. .-
9 Most trips are through dusty places.
If
any one of thes,e is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5
000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) or 12 months -- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first
oil change and at every
other
oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a
big help if you have to park outside in very cold
than
10 miles (16 km).
weather,
-20 F (-29 C)
or colder. If your vehicle has
this option, see ”Engine
Block Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Used engine oil contains things that ha\, zaused
skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t let use6 oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash
or properly throw away
4othing or rags containing used engine oil
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead, recycle
it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
If you have a problem
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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. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. 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 a 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.
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,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check your transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 F to 200 F (82 C
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 Place the shift lever in “F’ (Park) with the parking
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
to
93
O C).
brake applied.
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P” (Park).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
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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. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONB-IIE, because fluids with that label
are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONB-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheat.ing or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34OF (-37OC) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF (128 “C) .
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
can be aangerous. 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 overhe-”
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
yuu or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
G:~Z.+T~:, p:.t+d+s
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine Code L1 (L27)2 3.8L V-6 SF1
Belt Tensions - Fuel Tank Capacity -
Automatically controlled by an idler pulley.
16.5 gallons/62.7 liters
Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Transaxle -
Automatic Overdrive - Drain & Refill -
6 quarts/5.7 liters
Maintenance Item Part Numbers3 -
Air Filter - A925C
Fuel Filter
- GF579
Oil Filter
- PF47
PCV Valve
- CV892C
Radiator Cap
- RC27
Spark Plug
- 41-600, GAP 0.060”
Cooling System Capacity -
11.1 quarts/l0.5 liters
Crankcase Capacity -
Oil change with filter change -
4 quarts/3.8 liters
Air Conditioning Capacity4 -
(R12) - 2.25 lbs. (1.02 kilograms)
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4 Air Conditioning Refrigerant - Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your
vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant
is used. If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.
~ ~~
I 8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
2 Made in a GM plant in the United States.
3 Part numbers are AC tvDe.
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine Code T1 (LH0)2 3.1L V-6 MFI
Belt Tensions -
Automatically controlled by an idler pulley.
Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Cooling System Capacity -
11.9 quarts/l2.6 liters
Crankcase Capacity -
Oil change with filter change -
4 quarts/3.8 liters
Air Conditioning Capacity4 -
(R12) - 2.25 Ibs. (1.02 kilograms)
Fuel Tank Capacity -
16.5 gallons/62.7 liters
1 ransaxle -
Automatic Overdrive - Drain & Refil 1-
6 quartd5.7 liters
Maintenance Item Part Numbers3 -
Air Filter - A1 129C
Fuel Filter
- GF48 1
Oil Filter - PF5 1
PCV Valve - CV892C
Radiator Cap
- RC27
Spark Plug
- R44LTSM, GAP 0.045”
~~ ~
1 8th Character of the Vehicle Identification Number.
z Made in a GM plant in the United States.
3 Part numbers are AC type.
4 Air Conditioning Refrigerant - Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your
vehicle needs refrig
nt, be sure the proper refrigerant is used. If you’re not sure ask your Buick dealer.
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IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AI
RECOMMENDED
’/an
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how
you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only
a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very
hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work, to
do errands or in many other
ways.
Because of all
the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements
than you will
find in the schedules in this part.
So please read this part
and note how
you drive. If you have any questions on
how
to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to use proper parts and practices.
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