2008 BUICK LACROSSE automatic transmission

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-49.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-50.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-112.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-29.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-33.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.
H. Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap on
page 5-29.I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
J. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-33.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
M. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-46.
N. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-49.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-50.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-29.
E. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-112.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-33.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-43.I. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-33.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
M. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling System on
page 5-33.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-46.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-49.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-112.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-50.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-30.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-46.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
L. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-33.
5-17

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer 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
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission 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.
While pulling a trailer.
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.
5-25

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission 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 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 transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission 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
Transmission 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 the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if only DEX-COOL
®
extended life coolant is added.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem with
engine overheating or if coolant needs to be added to the
radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-30.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®engine 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.
5-27

Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it
safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
5-50

(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as
shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean
that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as high as it
is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters
represent the load range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The speed rating is the
maximum speed a tire is certied to carry a load.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-70.
5-67

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions.
Capacities and Specications
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Automatic Transmission (Drain and Rell) 7.4 qt 7.0 L
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.6L V6 and 3.8L V6 Engine 11.2 qt 10.6 L
5.3L V8 Engine 13.3 qt 12.6 L
Engine Oil with Filter
3.6L V6 Engine 5.5 qt 5.2 L
3.8L V6 Engine 4.5 qt 4.3 L
5.3L V8 Engine 6.0 qt 5.7 L
Fuel Tank
3.8LV6 Engine (with NU6 emissions) sold new in CA, ME,
VT, NY, MA (see your dealer/retailer for bordering states)17.0 gal 64.4 L
3.8LV6 Engine (without NU6 emissions) sold new in all other
states (see your dealer/retailer for more information)17.5 gal 66.2 L
5-116