2002 BUICK REGAL Owner's Manual

6-11
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive (+)
Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Electrical CenterE. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(Below Generator)
H. Engine Oil DipstickI. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-12
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
cluster, 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.

6-13
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 engine oil 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.

6-14
The engine oil fill cap is located toward the front of the
engine near the yellow
-looped engine oil dipstick
handle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-15
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0F (
-18C) or above. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
SAE 10W
-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going to be colder than 60F
(16C) before your next oil change. When it's very cold,
you should use SAE 5W
-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil
can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.

6-16
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20
F (-29
C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.

6-17
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Light
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE
OIL SOON light being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system by
performing the following steps:
1. With the engine off, turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Fully push and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within five seconds.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light flashes, the system
is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF, then start the vehicle. The oil
life will change to 100 percent.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes back on, the
system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
If you have a Driver Information Center, the system may
be reset by pressing the DIC RESET button for five
seconds while viewing the oil life display on the DIC.
See ªDriver Information Centerº in the Index.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used 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 clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, 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 properly disposing of your used
oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located underneath a
diagonal brace in the engine compartment on the
driver's side of the vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information
on location.
To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter,
do the following:
1. Loosen the wing nut on the air duct.
2. Lift up on the two clips
located on the top of
the filter assembly.3. Then disconnect the duct and reposition it while
removing the side cover.
4. Pull out the filter.
5. Replace the filter if needed.
6. Be sure to reinstall the filter and install the cover
tightly when you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned.
Don't drive with it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleaner/filter off.