2008 BUICK LACROSSE warning

Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all you 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 light or, if your vehicle
has the Driver Information Center (DIC), a CHANGE OIL
SOON message will come on. SeeChange Engine Oil
Light on page 3-45orDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-58. Change the 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 might
not indicate that an oil change 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 dealer/retailer has trained service people who
will perform this work using genuine parts and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last
oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-21

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change the oil prior to a
change engine oil light or CHANGE OIL SOON message
being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system:
Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC)
1. Press the option button on the DIC until
ENGINE OIL MONITOR appears on the
DIC screen.
2. Press the set/reset button to reset the system.
The next screen indicates that the CHANGE
OIL SOON message has been reset.
If the vehicle has the uplevel DIC, when the
gages button is pressed and the OIL
LIFE REMAINING mode appears, it should
read 100 percent OIL LIFE REMAINING.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
Vehicles without Driver Information Center (DIC)
1. With the engine off, turn the ignition key to
ON/RUN.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within ve seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF, then start the
vehicle.
If the light or message comes back on when you start
your vehicle, the oil life system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of used oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling center for help.
5-22

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

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®engine coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If this coolant mixture is used,
nothing else needs to be added.
{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 coolant needs to be added more than four times a
year, have your dealer/retailer check the 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. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located in the engine
compartment toward the
rear of the engine on the
passenger side of the
vehicle.
If your vehicles is equipped with the 5.3L engine the
coolant recovery tank is located in the engine
compartment toward the rear of the engine on the driver
side of the vehicle SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
5-28

Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature gage and a warning light
on the instrument panel cluster that indicate an
overheated engine condition. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-40andEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-40for more
information.
In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), you will nd an ENGINE
COOLANT HOT and a REDUCED POWER STOP
WHEN SAFE message displayed on the DIC. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for more
information.
5-30

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Turn it off and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or coolant before
you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-32for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-32for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
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.
5-31

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.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 5-18.
5-32

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the COLD FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for more information.
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.
5-36