2011 BUICK LUCERNE engine coolant

Black plate (33,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark when the engine is cold. The coolant level
should be above the FULL COLD mark under normal
operating conditions. If it is not, you may have a leak in
the cooling system.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or
above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done. See Engine Coolant for more
information.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{WARNING:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fill
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
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Black plate (34,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap—even a little —they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap. If coolant is needed, add the proper mixture directly to
the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
1. You can remove
the pressure cap
when the cooling
system, including the
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose is
no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise.
2. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means that there is still some pressure left. Keep
turning the pressure cap and remove it.
3. Fill the cooling system with the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck.
See Engine Coolant (4.6L Engine)
on page 6‑28orEngine Coolant (3.9L Engine) on page 6‑31.
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD FILL line.
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Black plate (35,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
5. Install the coolant recovery tank cap and thepressure cap. After a day or two of driving, when
the engine is cold, check the coolant level in the
recovery tank. If it is low, refill it to the COLD
FILL line.
If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low, you
should have a dealer service department inspect the
vehicle for leaks.
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.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will find a warning light about a hot engine as
well as an engine coolant temperature gauge on the
instrument panel cluster. You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 8‑7.
If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:
Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire while driving
with no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 6‑37for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
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Black plate (36,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{WARNING:
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 fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode
on page 6‑37for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
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Black plate (37,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If the temperature overheat gauge is no longer in
the overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,
see“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
message ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
is displayed, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. This operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. 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. See Engine Oil
on
page 6‑18.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment
Overviewon page 6‑14for information on the
location of the power
steering fluid reservoir.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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Black plate (39,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage the washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also, water does
not clean as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the windshield washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system and paint.
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.
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Black plate (3,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service for
new tires be performed. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑70.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑18. An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
displays, service is required for the vehicle as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving
under the best conditions, the engine oil life system
might not indicate the need for vehicle service for more
than a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed
at least once a year and the oil life system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service technicians who
will perform this work and reset the system. If the
engine oil life system is reset accidentally, service the
vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last
service. Reset the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed. See Engine Oil Life System on page 6‑22.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oilon page 6‑18andEngine Oil Life
Systemon page 6‑22. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant
(4.6L Engine)on page 6‑28or Engine Coolant
(3.9L Engine) on page 6‑31.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps
and replacement, if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑38.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑103.
Worn or damaged wiper blade replacement.
See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑55.
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑64.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑70.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑70.
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Black plate (4,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
.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. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑23.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.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 7‑8. More frequent lubrication may be
required when the 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 2‑70.
.Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
Additional Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑70.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑18.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant
(4.6L Engine)on page 6‑28or Engine Coolant
(3.9L Engine) on page 6‑31.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑38.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑64.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑70.
.Sunroof track and seal inspection, if equipped. See
Sunroof on page 3‑51.
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