2010 BUICK LUCERNE brake fluid

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3and be sure to
use the transmission fluid listed in Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 7‑9.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid (3.9L Engine)
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealer 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 fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little
fluid could cause the transmission to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid 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 fluid 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.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows: 1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
6-23

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 6‑14for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down because of normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are installed,
the fluid level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or
later the brakes will not work well. Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does not
correct a leak. If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid when new brake
linings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
{WARNING:
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on the
engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and the vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 4‑36.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed
container. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricantson
page 7‑9.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep dirt
from entering the reservoir.
6-40

{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake hydraulic system
can damage brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on the vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See Washing Your Vehicle
on
page 6‑104
.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear warning sound
is heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specifications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑118.
6-41

.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only). SeeEngine Air Cleaner/
Filter on page 6‑21.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in Maintenance I.
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps
and replacement, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑106. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑55.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
rear compartment, hood, glove box door, and
console door hinges and latches lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑9. More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. See Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑74.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
.Passenger compartment air filter replacement
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). More
frequent replacement may be required if vehicle is
driven regularly under dusty conditions.
7-4

Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. SeeEngine Oilon
page 6‑17.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant
(4.6L Engine)on page 6‑27or Engine Coolant
(3.9L Engine) on page 6‑31.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑39.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See Inflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑65.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑71.
Once a Year
.Starter switch check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7‑8.
.Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7‑8.
.Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. See Owner Checks and Serviceson
page 7‑8.
.Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner
Checks and Services on page 7‑8.
.Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. See Cooling System
on
page 6‑26.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
.Accelerator pedal check for damage, high effort,
or binding. Replace if needed.
.If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit, check the sealant expiration date printed on
the instruction label of the kit. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 6‑82.
7-5

Scheduled Maintenance
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. • •
Engine coolant level check. • •
Windshield washer fluid level check. • •
Tire inflation pressures check. • •
Tire wear inspection. • •
Rotate tires. • •
Fluids visual leak check. • •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). • •
Brake system inspection. • •
Steering and suspension inspection. •
Engine cooling system inspection. •
Windshield wiper blades inspection. •
Body components lubrication. •
Restraint system components check. •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions). •
Passenger compartment air filter replacement. •
7-7

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
.The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only when
the shift lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park) Mechanism
Check
{WARNING:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
begin to move. You or others could be injured and
property could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at once
should the vehicle begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from the
regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held
by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to P (Park). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer if service is required.
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number, or specification can be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard
GM6094M and displays the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
To determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 6‑17.
7-9

UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant
(4.6L Engine)on page 6‑27or
Engine Coolant (3.9L Engine)on
page 6‑31.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88862806,
in Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Usage
Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Key Lock
Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor, and
Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
7-10