2007 BUICK LACROSSE oil change

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed
inAdditional Required Services on page 464,
and be sure to use the transaxle uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 470.
How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
the transaxle. Too much can mean that some of
the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
or exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too
little uid could cause the transaxle to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
the transaxle uid.
360

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine condition exists,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a signicant loss in
power and engine performance. The REDUCED
POWER STOP WHEN SAFE message will come
on in the Driver Information Center (DIC), if the
vehicle has one, along with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on the instrument panel,
to indicate the vehicle has entered overheated
engine protection operating mode. The temperature
gage will also indicate an overheat condition exists.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will
be severely degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and reset the
oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 353.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, this is
what you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
3.8L V6 Engine
370

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make the
wheel nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or
a paper towel to do this; but be sure to
use a scraper or wire brush later, if
needed, to get all the rust or dirt off.7. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces, and
spare wheel.
8. Install the compact spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you do, the nuts might come loose.
Your wheel could fall off, causing a
serious accident.
9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded
end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten
each nut by hand until the wheel is held
against the hub.
433

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to keep
your vehicle in good working condition. Any
damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
458

Scheduled Maintenance
When the change engine oil light or CHANGE OIL
SOON DIC message comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if
you are driving under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer has
GM-trained service technicians who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset
accidentally, you must service your vehicle within
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last service.
Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 356for information on the Engine Oil Life
System and resetting the system.When the light or message appears, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following
for “MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.”
Generally, it is recommended that the rst service
be MaintenanceI, the second service be
MaintenanceII, and that you alternate
MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay be
required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the light
or message comes on within 10 months since
the vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the
previous service performed was MaintenanceI.
Always use MaintenanceIIwhenever the light
or message comes on 10 months or more since
the last service or if the light or message has
not come on at all for one year.
462

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 353. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 356.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 358.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 416and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 467.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transaxle uid level and add uid as needed.•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (g).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
463

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 363 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)Check 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 or cruise control cables.(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid
if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help
ensure the safety, dependability, and emission
control performance of your vehicle. Your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with
these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 470.
466

Doing Your Own Service Work.................... 342
Door
Ajar Light................................................. 197
Automatic Door Lock................................. 98
Delayed Locking........................................ 97
Locks......................................................... 96
Power Door Locks..................................... 97
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock....... 98
Rear Door Security Locks.......................... 98
Driver
Position, Safety Belt................................... 22
Driver Information Center (DIC)................... 199
DIC Operation and Displays..................... 200
DIC Vehicle Personalization..................... 229
DIC Warnings and Messages................... 208
Driving
At Night................................................... 303
City.......................................................... 308
Defensive................................................. 286
Drunken................................................... 287
Freeway................................................... 309
Hill and Mountain Roads.......................... 312
In Rain and on Wet Roads...................... 305
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.......... 319
Winter...................................................... 314
Dual Automatic Climate Control System....... 172E
Electric Power Management........................ 163
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment................................... 449
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 450
Headlamp Wiring..................................... 449
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 450
Power Windows and Other Power
Options................................................. 450
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 452
Windshield Wiper Fuses........................... 449
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 358
Battery..................................................... 384
Change Engine Oil Light.......................... 195
Check and Service Engine Soon Light..... 190
Coolant.................................................... 363
Coolant Heater......................................... 112
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 189
Coolant Temperature Warning Light.......... 188
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 472
Engine Compartment Overview ................ 350
Exhaust................................................... 122
Oil ........................................................... 353
Oil Life System........................................ 356
501