2006 BUICK LUCERNE adding oil

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-27
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (4.6L V8 Engine Only).......................5-28
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine)....................5-29
Cooling System (4.6L V8 Engine)....................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-52
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-56
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-57
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-59
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-62
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-63
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Buying New Tires.........................................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-44.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-93.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-29orCooling System
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-34.
F. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-29orCooling System
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-34.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-21.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-40.
K. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-38.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.
5-13

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-93.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-44.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System
(3.8L V6 Engine) on page 5-29orCooling System
(4.6L V8 Engine) on page 5-34.
E. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-38.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Brake Master Cylinder. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-40.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick (Out of
View). SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message appears in
the Driver Information Center (DIC), it means you
need to check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, seeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. 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.
5-15

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-23

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re 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 would not 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 extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
Checking Coolant (3.8L V6 Engine)
This symbol is located on
the cap of the engine
coolant recovery tank.
The engine coolant recovery tank is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at FULL
COLD or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should raise.
5-24

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant recovery
tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for more
information.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
5-31

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the level is not at the FULL COLD mark located
on the side of the surge tank, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank to bring the level to
the FULL COLD mark, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap (if
equipped), is cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-23for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
5-36

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.43 lbs 0.65 kg
Automatic Transaxle- Drain and Rell
3.8L V6 Engine 7.4 qt 7.0L
4.6L V8 Engine 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Engine Cooling System
3.8L V6 Engine 12.0 qt 11.4 L
4.6L V8 Engine 13.0 qt 12.2 L
Engine Oil with Filter
3.8L V6 Engine 4.5 qt 4.3 L
4.6L V8 Engine 7.5 qt 7.1 L
Fuel Tank 18.5 gal 70.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
5-101