2003 BUICK REGAL cooling

Capacities and Specications
Capacities and Specications
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 2.4 lbs 1.1 kg
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement
After Complete Overhaul
When draining/replacing converter, morefluid will be needed.7.4 quarts
10.0 quarts7.0 L
9.5 L
Cooling System Including Reservoir 11.7 quarts 11.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.5 quarts 4.3 L
Fuel Tank 17.0 gallons 64.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure tofill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Displacement Firing Order
3800 V6
3800 Supercharged V6K
1231 CID 1–6–5–4–3–2
5-92
2003 - Regal OM

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-11At Least Once a Year...................................6-11
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections.........6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-14
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-15
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-15
Brake System Inspection................................6-15
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-16
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-17
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1
2003 - Regal OM

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxleuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxleuid, change both
theuid andlter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-22for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-9
2003 - Regal OM

Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
6-15
2003 - Regal OM

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-52
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-20
Chains, Tires..................................................5-65
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Checking Coolant............................................5-23
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-8
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-83
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-32
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-35Cigarette Lighter
.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle
..................................5-78
Outside of Your Vehicle
................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance
...............................5-83
Weatherstrips
..............................................5-80
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
.......................5-81
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment
.................3-24
Dual
..........................................................3-17
Dual Automatic
............................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment
........................................3-24
Compact Disc Messages
..................................3-54
Compact Spare Tire
........................................5-77
Control Buttons
...............................................3-43
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net
............................................2-36
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................3-34
Engine Temperature Warning Light
.................3-34
Heater, Engine
............................................2-20
Cooling System
..............................................5-28
Cornering Lamps
............................................3-13
Courtesy Lamps
.............................................3-13
Cruise Control
.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light
........................................3-40
3
2003 - Regal OM

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-87
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-86
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-86
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-37
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-42
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-34
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-34
Cooling System Inspection............................6-15
Exhaust
.....................................................2-29
Oil
.............................................................5-13
Overheating
................................................5-25
Starting
......................................................2-19
Supercharger Oil
.........................................5-18
Engine Coolant Level Check
.............................6-10Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-41
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
Entry Lighting.................................................3-13
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-10
F
Fabric/Carpet.................................................5-78
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-46, 3-50
Finish Care....................................................5-81
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-66
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-66
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM ...............................................................3-57
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-13
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-6
Following Distance..........................................4-39
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
5
2003 - Regal OM

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-21
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-57
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-18
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-37
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-36
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-37
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
.....................4-36
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
...........................4-28
Ignition Positions
.............................................2-18
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
..........................6-13
Illumination on Remote Activation
........................ 2-7
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
...............1-29
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
..................................5-57Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System................................6-15
Exhaust System..........................................6-14
Fuel System...............................................6-15
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-14
Throttle System...........................................6-15
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-27
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-13
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-87
Interior Lamps................................................3-13
Interior Plastic Components..............................5-80
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
7
2003 - Regal OM

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-93
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-15
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
PartD-Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-16
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-14
Throttle System Inspection............................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-41
Making Turns.................................................4-39
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-35
Manual Operation...................................3-17, 3-21
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands)–Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-32
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.......2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-33
Modes...........................................................3-44
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-93
9
2003 - Regal OM