Page 86 of 323

Features & Controls
I
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
To Use Your Rear Wiper: Slide the
lower control
to [\J for steady wiping
cycles.
For a Delayed Wiper Cycle: Slide the
lower control to
DELAY.
To Wash
the Rear Window: Slide the
lower control to
a and hold it. The
washer and wiper will operate only as
long as the control is held in that
position. Then the wiper will return
to
DELAY.
Driving without washer flui
A can be dangerous. A bad
mud splash can block
you]
vision. You could hit another
vehicle or go off the road. Chec.
your washer fluid level
oftc --
In freezing weather, don’t use
your washer until the windshielc
is warmed. Otherwise the
washer fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your
vision.
II
Don’t mix water with ready-to
use washer fluid. Water
can
cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid
tank
and other parts of the washer
g+z] 1
system. Also, water doesn’t cleag?‘i
as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
% hll when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which
could damage the
tank if it is
completely
fi
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
, = .%
damage your washer system and
paint.
,.
? .:~.;l I
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Page 170 of 323

Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
I
I
I
168
J
7
1
1
-
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. 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?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip.
Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires
all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
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?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
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Page 175 of 323

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
don’t shift your transaxle into
P (Park)
properly, the weight of the vehicle may
put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, always be sure
to shift into
P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see the
Index under Shifting Into P (Park).
When you are ready to drive, move the
shift lever out of P (Park) before you
release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need
to have another vehicle push yours a
little uphill to take some of the pressure
from the transaxle,
so you can pull the
shift lever out of
P (Park).
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Oldsmobile in good shape
for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant
mix is correct.
* Snow tires can help in loose snow, but
they may give you less traction on ice
than regular tires.
If you do not expect
to be driving in deep snow, but may
have to travel over ice, you may not
want
to switch to snow tires at all.
You may want to put winter
emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include
an ice scraper, a small brush
or broom,
a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag,
some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight,
a
red cloth, and a couple of reflective
warning triangles. And,
if you will be
driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag
of sand, a piece of
old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items
in your
vehicle.
173
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Page 217 of 323

Here you will find information about
the care of your Oldsmobile
. This
part begins with service and fuel
information. and then it shows how to
check important fluid and lubricant levels
. There is also technical
information about your vehicle. and a section devoted to its appearance care
.
Part 6
Service di Appearance Care
Service ......................................................... 216
Fuel ........................................................... 217
HoodRelease
.................................................... 221
Engineoil
...................................................... 225
Aircleaner
..................................................... 230
TransaxleFluid
.................................................. 232
Enginecoolant
.................................................. 235
Power Steering Fluid
.............................................. 238
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................... 239
Brakes
......................................................... 240
Battery
......................................................... 242
Bulb Replacement
................................................ 243
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
................................. 245
Loading Your Vehicle
............................................. 245
Tires
.......................................................... 247
Appearancecare ................................................. 254
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................................. 262
Add-on Electrical Equipment
....................................... 263
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................................... 264
Capacities
& Specifications ......................................... 269
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............................... 271
Fluids
& Lubricants ............................................... 272
ReplacementBulbs
................................................ 273
215
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Page 224 of 323
Service & Appearance Care
1 Hood Release (CONT.) I
I. CAUT'aN
An electric fan under the hood
can
start up and injure you
even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and
tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
Things that burn can get on
hot engine parts and start a
~e. These include liquids like
gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid,
windshield washer and other
fluids, and plastic or rubber. You
or others could be burned. Be
cmh1 nut to drop or spill things
that wiU burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the
filler caps are
on properly. Then lift the
hood
to relieve pressure on the hood
prop. Remove the hood prop from the
slot
in the hood and return the prop to
its retainer. Then just let the hood down
and close
it firmly.
*** I -- I
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Page 225 of 323
P P
3,lL V6 Engine (CODE D)
1. Engine Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Air Cleaner
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Oil Fill Can
1 0. Radiator Cap
@ U6084
223
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Page 226 of 323
Service & Appearance Cure
224
P P
3800 V6 Engine (CODE L)
1 . Engine Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Air Cleaner
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Oil Fill Cap
10. Radiator Cap
(3 U6085
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Page 241 of 323
3.1L V6: Checking Power Steering
Fluid
3800 V6: Checking Power Steering
Fluid
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of fluid to use. See
the
Index under Fluids & Lubricants.
When adding power steering fluid or making a complete fluid change,
always use the proper fluid. Failure
leaks and damage hoses and
to use the proper fluid can cause
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add:
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID
ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the bottle
is full.
239
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