2001 BUICK REGAL check oil

6-14
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.
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop located
near the front of the engine compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
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6-15
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
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6-22
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the passenger compartment air filter.
8. Then replace the old air filter with the new one. For
the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.
9. Reposition the air inlet grille.
10. Reinstall the air inlet grille retainers.
11. Reattach the hood weatherstrip.
12. Reconnect the windshield washer pump hose to the
fender rail and air inlet grille.
13. Close the hood.
14. Return the windshield wipers to the park position.Supercharger Oil
Unless you are
technically qualified
and have the proper
tools, you should
let your dealer or
a qualified service
center perform
this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
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6-23 How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool two to three hours after running.
CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while
the engine is hot, pressure may cause hot oil to
blow out of the oil fill hole. You may be burned.
Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
1. Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil fill plug using a 3/16 inch
Allen wrench.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O
-ring in place.
Tighten to 88 lb
-in (10 N´m).
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.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
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6-28 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
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:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture 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.
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Scheduled Maintenance
7-10
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, the filter may require replacement more often.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
For supercharged engines only: Check the supercharger oil level and add oil as
needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first). See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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Scheduled Maintenance
7-12
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, the filter may require replacement more often.
For supercharged engines only: Check the supercharger oil level and add oil as
needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first). See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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Scheduled Maintenance
7-14
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, the filter may require replacement more often.
Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
For supercharged engines only: Check the supercharger oil level and add oil as
needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs first). See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in this section.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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