1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coolant level

Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the
hood, here’s what you’ll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery tank is boiling, don’t do
anything else until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above
the
COLD mark.
If it isn’t,
you may have a leak in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
I
- 1
CAUTION I
Heater and radiator hoses,
and other engine parts, can
1;, ;cry hot. Don’t touch them. If
you do,
you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a
leak. If you
run the engine, it could
lose all coolant. That could cause
an engine fire, and you could be
burned. Get any leak fixed before
I
you drive the vehicle.
I
If there seems to be no leak, check to
see
if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running.
If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank:
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
COLD, add a
50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery
tank.
(See the Index under Engine Coolant
for more information abaut the proper
coolant
mix.)
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6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
the COLD mark. 7. Put the cap back on the coolant
recovery tank, but leave the radiator
pressure cap
off.
8. Start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
fans.
9. By this time, the coolant level inside
the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the
proper mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
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Problems on the Road
Engine Overheating (cow.)
IO. Then replace the pressure cap. Be
sure the
arrows on the pressure cap
line up like this.
1 1. Check the coolant recovery tank.
The coolant level should be at
HOT
when the engine is hot and at
COLD when the engine is cold.
Ifa Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to (‘blow out’’
while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But
if you should ever
have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and
grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, then gently brake to a stop
well out of the trafEic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the same correction you’d use in a skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat, the
next section
shows how to use your jacking
equipment to change a flat tire safely.

Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant:
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be between
the COLD
and HOT marks or a little higher.
When your
engine is warm, the level
should be u.p to HOT, or a little
higher.
If this light comes on, it means you’re
low
on engine coolant.
To Add Coolant:
If you need more coolant, add the
proper
mix at the coolant recovery
tank.
Turning the radiator pressure I
cap when the engine and
radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. With the
coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at
the radiator. Never turn the
radiator pressure cap-even a
little-when the engine and
radia
I are hot.
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n

ITEM
NO. SERVICE
5
6
7
Engine Accessory Drive Belt (s) Inspection
(California
3.1L Code T engine”)-Inspect the
belt for cracks, fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed.
Camshaft Timing Belt Inspection
(3.4L Code X
engine only)*-Inspect for cracks, wear or oiliness.
Check tensioner for proper operation. See the
service manual. (To purchase a service manual,
see the
Index under Publications.) Replace parts
as needed.
Cooling System Service*-Drain, flush, and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to
GM Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See the
Index under Coolant. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level, and engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap
and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
8 Transaxle Service-Change both the fluid and
filter every 15,000 miles (25 000 ltm) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models, you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See the
Index under Towing a Trailer.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car, or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 lun) .
Spark Plug Replacement*-Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See the
Index under
Replacement Parts.
burns, cracks or other damage. Check the boot fit
at the coils and at the spark plugs. Replace wires
as needed.
10 Spark Plug Wire Inspection**-Inspect for
9
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Section B: Owner Checks & Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
made at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety, Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle,
dependability and emission control performance of your make sure they are the proper ones, as
shown in Section D.
vehicle.
At Each Fuel Fill (/t is important for you or a service station attendant to perform these underhood check\
s at each fuel fill.)
CHECK
OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Engine Oil Level Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See the Index under Engine Oil for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level
See the
Index under Windshield Washer Fluid for further details.
Fluid Level Check the
windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer
tank and add fluid if necessary. Windshield Washer
Check the engine coolant
level in the coolant recovery tank and add the proper coolant mix if
~~ ~ ~~
necessary. See the Index under Coolant for further details.
At Least Once a Month
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Tire Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire-Loading
~~ ~
Information label located on the rear edge of the driver’s door. See the Index under Tires for
further details.
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