2003 BUICK REGAL engine coolant

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

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever anyuids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuelll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washeruid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the properuid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-56for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-44for further details.
6-10
2003 - Regal OM

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
SuperchargerSupercharger Oil (GM Part No. U.S.
12345982, in Canada 10953513).
SeeSupercharger Oil on page 5-18.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-16
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

Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-8
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
System Inspection.......................................6-15
Full-Range Traction Control System..................... 4-9
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-87
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-86
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-34
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5Glass Surfaces...............................................5-80
Glove Box.....................................................2-35
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-48
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring
............................................5-86
Headlamps
....................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
.......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
.............5-52
Halogen Bulbs
............................................5-50
Heated Seats
................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis
...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
..................................4-24
Hitches
..........................................................4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under
.................................. 5-8
Release
....................................................... 5-9
Horn
............................................................... 3-5
6
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

L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-10
Interior.......................................................3-13
Lap Belt........................................................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-40
Leather.........................................................5-79
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-26
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-32
Brake System Warning.................................3-31
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-31
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning...............................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-34
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Low Oil Level.............................................3-39Light (cont.)
Low Traction...............................................3-33
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-40
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-29
Security.....................................................3-40
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-41
TCS Warning Light......................................3-33
Tire Pressure..............................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-33
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-15
Loading Your Vehicle
.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection
..........................................2-11
Locks
Door
........................................................... 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................2-11
Lockout Protection
.......................................2-11
Power Door
................................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.............2-10
Loss of Control
...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light
...................................3-42
Low Traction Light
..........................................3-33
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.......................3-40
8
2003 - Regal OM