2007 BUICK TERRAZA engine overheat

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You will get
easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours
prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not
required. Your vehicle may also have an internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C)
as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The electrical cord is located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and
some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your
dealer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
132

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 386.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake with your left foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you move the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into PARK (P).
138

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
a traction control system
warning light.
The traction control system warning light may
come on for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the
traction control button. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 353for more
information.
If there is a brake system problem that is
specically related to traction control, the
traction control system will turn off and
the warning light will come on. If your brakes
begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn
off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of
time when the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service.
216

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the red gage lamp turns on, your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 423.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by
the system before any problem is apparent.
United StatesCanada
217

DRIVER’S REAR DOOR AJAR
This message displays when the driver’s side rear
door is not closed properly. When this message
appears, make sure that the driver’s side rear door
is closed completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds when the ignition is shifted
out of PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if
the message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 423for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant
temperature warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 217for more
information.
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off
the air conditioner if it is on. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioner
can be turned back on.
This message displays only when the ignition is
in RUN. A chime sounds continuously when
this message is displayed. Press any of the
DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and
to clear it from the screen.
234

REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. This happens when driving
conditions, such as climbing a steep hill, make the
transaxle overwork in a gear that may cause
damage to the vehicle’s engine or transaxle.
Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle’s
ability to accelerate.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the
DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and to
clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if
the message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
REDUCED POWER STOP WHEN SAFE
This message displays when your vehicle is in
an overheated engine operating mode. This
operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and
engine performance. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 425for more
information. Anytime this message is on, the
vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the
DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and to
clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if
the message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
241

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 378.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 467.
377

Service........................................................ 400
Accessories and Modications................... 400
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 401
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 401
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 402
Fuel............................................................. 402
Gasoline Octane........................................ 402
Gasoline Specications.............................. 402
California Fuel........................................... 403
Additives................................................... 403
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 404
Filling the Tank......................................... 405
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 407
Checking Things Under
the Hood.................................................. 408
Hood Release........................................... 409
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 410
Engine Oil................................................. 411
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 414
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 416Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 417
Engine Coolant.......................................... 420
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 423
Engine Overheating................................... 423
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 425
Cooling System......................................... 426
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 432
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 433
Brakes...................................................... 434
Battery...................................................... 437
Jump Starting............................................ 438
Bulb Replacement....................................... 443
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 443
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 443
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)........................... 445
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 445
License Plate Lamp................................... 447
Replacement Bulbs................................... 447
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
397