2002 BUICK REGAL oil dipstick

2-79 Low Oil Level Light
Your engine is equipped
with an oil level monitoring
system. When the ignition
key is turned on, the
LOW OIL light will
come on briefly.
If the light does not come on briefly, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.)
If the light does not come on briefly, have the low oil
level sensor system repaired so it will be ready to warn
you if there's a problem.
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the oil normally in
circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
Change Oil Soon Light
The CHANGE OIL SOON
light should come on briefly
as a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the
light doesn't come on,
have it serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on and stays
on after you start the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information, see ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index. To reset the CHANGE OIL
SOON light, seeªOil Life Systemº in the Index.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive (+)
Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Fuse BlockE. 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

6-11
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: