1997 BUICK REGAL engine oil

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean wnter (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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 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 overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered
by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have
your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
e
0
Using the wrong fluid 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
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Buick has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
~~
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com

Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-up .............................. 1156
Center High-Mounted Stop
............... 3 155
Front Parking/Turn Signal
........... 4 157NAK
Headlamp, High Beam
.................. 9005
Headlamp,
Low Beam. .................. 9006
Sidemarker, Front
....................... 194
Sidemarker, Rear
........................ 194
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal
................... 3057
Tail (Applique)
......................... 194
Interior Lamps Bulb Number
Dome Lamp ....................... 9425542
Capacities and Specifications
Automatic nansaxle
Pan Removal and
Replacement
.............. 7.4 quarts (7.0 L)
When drainingheplacing converter; more fluid my be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.8L (Code 1) ............. 12.3 quarts (1 1.65 L)
3.8L (Code K) ............. 12.3 quarts (1 1.65 L)
Air Conditioning* .......... 1.88 lbs. (0.85 kg)
Refrigerant (R=134a),
*See “Air Conditioning Refrigerants”1ater in this section.
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change ........... 5 quarts (4.7 L)
Wheel Nut Torque .......... 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Fuel Tank .................... 17 gallons (64 L)
Wiper Blade Lengths
Type ................................. Hook
Length ..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Note: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be
sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in
this manual. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
” in
the Index.
6-63
ProCarManuals.com

Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Passenger Compartment Air Filter .... 10261 703
Air Cleaner Filter ..................... A 1208C
Battery
3.8L (Code 1) ...................... 770 CCA
3.8L (Code K) ...................... 690 CCA
Engine Oil Filter
All Engines ........................... PF47
PCV Valve
All Engines ........................ CV892C
Radiator Cap
All Engines ........................... RC27
RKE Batteries ................ Type CR2032 (2)
Spark Plugs
3.8L (Code 1) ........................ 41-921
Gap:
0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
3.8L (Code
K) ....................... .41-921
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52
mm)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Introduction
IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
IVEL AND CHANGE
RECOMMENDED
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your Buick
dealer
for details.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Short TripKity Definition
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow
a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One
of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonel:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Inspection, if driving
in dusty conditions.
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Supercharger Oil Check (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code 1 engine only).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
I- 7-5
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from
the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fidly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down
slowex
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Supercharger Oil
Check (or every
36 months, whichever occurs first)
(3.8L Code 1 engine only). Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 krn): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete nzaintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com

* Your vehicle has an Engine Oil L’
Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
-f 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. ~fe
Monitor. Thi
.s
monitor will show you when to change the oil -- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(1 2 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions,
the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more
than
7,500 miles (1 2 500 km) or 12 months, (whichever
occurs first), without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in
a dusty area be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
SOON light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life
Monitor when the oil has been changed. For more
information, see
“CHANGE OIL SOON” light in
the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation.
See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection” in Part C
of this schedule.
7-7
ProCarManuals.com