2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS recommended oil

INST ECONOMY (Instant Economy):Instant fuel
economy reects the fuel economy that the
vehicle has right now. Instant fuel economy varies
with your driving conditions, such as acceleration,
braking and the grade of the road being
traveled. Unlike average fuel economy, instant fuel
economy cannot be reset.
FUEL RANGE:The fuel range is an estimated
distance that your vehicle can travel on the
remaining fuel. The fuel economy used to calculate
the range is based on your driving history since
the last reset of the average speed.
FUEL USED:The fuel used display will show you
how much fuel has been used since the last
time it was reset. To reset the fuel used to zero,
press and hold the SET button while the fuel used
is displayed on the DIC and until the display
goes to zero.AVG SPEED (Average Speed):The average
speed display will show your average speed from
when you rst started your vehicle. To reset
the average speed, press and hold the SET button
while the average speed is displayed on the
DIC and until the speed resets to your current
speed.
OIL LIFE LEFT HOLD SET TO RESET:This
message displays the current percentage of the oil
life by the engine oil life system. Be careful not
to reset this display other than when the oil
has been changed. See “How to Reset the Engine
Oil Life System” underEngine Oil Life System
on page 368for more information.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 475andEngine Oil on page 365.
237

Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher speeds,
you may tend to think you are going slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If
you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make too
many miles that rst part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily
drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out.Of course, you will nd experienced and able
service experts in GM dealerships all across North
America. They will be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
323

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General
Motors recommends against the use of such
gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce the
life of spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be
hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
358

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for
and use only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil
container, and use only those oils that are identied
as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the
starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied For
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. Failure to
use the recommended oil can result in engine
damage not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
367

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for the
engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will
be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life
system to work properly, you must reset the system
every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. SeeChange Engine Oil Message on
page 230. Change your oil 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
oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check your oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
368

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your vehicles 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 478,
and be sure to use the transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 485.
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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the uid should be
at normal operating temperature, which is 180°F
to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
372

What Coolant 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. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 485for more information.
376

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at or above the full cold mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 375
for more information.
{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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
{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 or above the full cold mark, start your vehicle.
383