2007 BUICK LACROSSE tow

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 385.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 178.
E. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 452.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 370.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 367.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 378.
I. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling
System on page 370.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 353.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 353.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 360.M. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling
System on page 370.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 381.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 358.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 350
for 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.
353

How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter
do the following:
1. Lift the lter cover tabs on top of the engine
air cleaner/lter housing.
2. Push the lter cover housing toward the
engine.
3. Pull out the lter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 471.
5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs
through the slots on the housing. A notch
on the sides of the lter cover will indicate
the correct engagement.
6. Push the cover tabs on top of the housing
to lock the cover in place.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
359

SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 350
for more information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read
the lower level. The uid level must be in
the crosshatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 470.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the crosshatched
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 inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 470.
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.
362

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery
tank is located in the
engine compartment
toward the rear of
the engine on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 350for more
information on location.The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at the cold ll line or a little higher.
The cold ll line is near the bottom of the
recovery tank and has an arrow pointing
down at it.
3.8L V6 Engine shown,
3.6L V6 Engine
similar
365

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to
do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat
setting and fan speed and open the windows
as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.
369

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

Windshield Replacement
Your vehicle is equipped with an acoustic
windshield. If you ever have to have your
windshield replaced be sure to get an acoustic
windshield so you will continue to have the
benets an acoustic windshield can provide.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for
wear or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 462for more information on wiper blade
inspection.Replacement blades come in different types and
are removed in different ways. For the proper type
and length, seeNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 471. Here is how to remove the
wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away
from the windshield.
2. While holding the wiper arm, pull the clip up
from the blade connecting point, and pull the
blade assembly down toward the windshield
to remove it from the wiper arm.
3. Install the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm
and snap the clip into place.
401

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make 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 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. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 426.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is time for new tires is
to check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following
statements are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through
the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or
snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
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