Page 12 of 340
1
How to Use this Manual
I
Wehicle Symbols (CONTJ
These symbols are on some of your
controls: These symbols are used on warning
and indicator lights:
Windshield Wipers
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Windshield Washer
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Defogger Ventilating Fan
Power Window
Here are some other symbols you
may see:
Fuse
Battery Charging
System Trunk Release
Lighter
Fuel
Engine
Oil Pressure
Brake
Anti-Lock Brakes Horn
Speaker
Hood Release
b
Page 60 of 340
Features & Controls
Engine Block Heater (CONTJ
How long should you keep the block
heater plugged in? The answer depends
on the weather, the kind
of oil you
have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask
that you contact an Oldsmobile dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
Shifting the Automatic
Transaxle
Your automatic transaxle may have a
shift lever located on the steering
column or on the console between the
seats. Both are shown above.
Maximum engine speed
is limited on
automatic transaxle vehicles when
you’re in
D (Drive) or N (Neutral), to
protect driveline components from
improper operation. There
are six shift positions, seven if you
have Overdrive. In this manual, these
are referred to by the commonly used
symbols in the right column below:
Park P
Reverse
R
Neutral N Overdrive
IDI
Drive D Second
2
First 1
Page 98 of 340

i-
Features & Controls
96
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your system is
low on coolant and the engine may
overheat.
See the
Index under Engine Coolant
and have your vehicle serviced as soon
as you can.
Oil Warning Light
(E LE CTRONlC CLUSTER)
If you have a problem with your oil, this
light may stay on after you start your
engine,
or come on when you are
driving. This indicates that oil is not
going through your engine quickly
enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low
on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it fixed right
away. The
oil light could also come
on in three
other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working, but
the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to
Start. If it doesn’t come on
with the ignition on, you may have a
problem with the fuse or bulb. Have it
fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may blink on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is
normal.
Page 99 of 340
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CAUTION
Don’t keep driving if the oil I
pressure is low. If you do,
your engine can become
so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
Oil Pressure indicator
(ANALOG CLUSTER)
This indicator tells you if there could be
a problem with your engine
oil pressure.
The pointer should be above the red
zone when the engine is running.
Readings in the red area tell
you that
the engine is low on oil, or that
you
might have some other oil problem. See
the
Index under Engine Oil.
CAUTION
Don’t keep driving if the oil
pressure is low.
If you do, I
your engine can become so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
97
Page 137 of 340

Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in
their original cases or other protective
cases and away from direct sunlight and
dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled,
dampen
a clean, soft cloth in a mild,
neutral detergent solution and clean it,
wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal
surface when handling discs. Pick up
discs by grasping the outer edges .or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand
most car washes without being
damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, you can straighten
it
out by hand. If the mast is badly bent,
as it might be-
by vandals, you should
replace it.
Check every once in a while to be sure
the mast is still tightened to the fender.
Power Antenna Mast Care
Your power antenna will look its best
and work well if it’s cleaned from time
to time.
To Clean the Antenna Mast:
1. Turn on the ignition and radio to
raise the antenna to full mast
extension.
spirits or equivalent solvent.
2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral
3. Wipe the cloth over the mast
sections, removing any dirt.
135
Page 170 of 340

Your Driving and the Road
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are
made on freeways, there are still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and
regular highways is the same
in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and
the vehicle prepared, you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there
are
longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more if you and your
vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for a successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work
don’t plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in Oldsmobile dealerships all
across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it. Here are
some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir
full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
shape? Have you checked
all levels?
the lenses clean?
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving?
Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Lights: Are they all working? Are
Tires: They are vitally important to a
Page 201 of 340

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.)
199
Page 202 of 340

Problems on the Road
Adding only plain water to
your cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle's coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong
mix, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn't get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
I
200
You can be burned if you
spill coolant on hot engine
-I.& Coolant contains ethylene
pdrts are hot enough. Don't spill
ycol
and it will burn if the engine
I I coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant
in the coolant
recovery tank is at or above
COLD,
start your vehicle.
If the overheat
warning continues,
there's one more
thing you can try. You
can add the proper coolant mix directly
to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system
is cool before you do it.
1
1
can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and
if you
turn the radiator pressure cap-
even a little-they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system, including
the radiator pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool
if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
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