2008 BUICK LACROSSE adding oil

Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of
the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey
but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up
and lubricates all moving parts.Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater, if available, can help in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C) for easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least four hours before
starting your vehicle. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at temperatures
above 0°F (−18°C).
2-27

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Pressure Cap...............................................5-30Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-32
Cooling System............................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-43
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-44
Brakes........................................................5-46
Battery........................................................5-49
Jump Starting...............................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-56
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................5-59
License Plate Lamp......................................5-61
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-61
Windshield Replacement.................................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-62
Tires..............................................................5-63
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-64
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-67
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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

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

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