1993 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE oil

Underhood Light
Your underhood light will go on when
you open the hood.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get
an accurate reading, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be on level
ground.
Turn off the engine and give the
oil a few minutes to drain back into the
oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil:
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back
in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower.
I 3.1L V6: Checking Engine Oil
3800 V6: Checking Engine Oil
225
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
226
Engine Oil (CONT:)
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind
of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see the
Index
under Capacities & Specljications.
UOTIC
I 3.1L V6: Adding Engine Oil
engine has so much oil that the oi
level gets above the crosshatched
area that
shows the proper
operating range,
your engine could
I
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re through.
3800 V6: Adding Engine Oil
ProCarManuals.com

SG
“SG” must be on the oil container,
either by itself or combined with other
quality designations, such as
“SGICC,” “SGICD,” “SF, SG, CC,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute
(API) levels of
quality.
If you use oils that don’t have the
SG designation? you can cause
engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
Grade E
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
SAE 5W-30 (3.X V6 Engine)
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE
5W-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if
it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on
an oil container
show
its viscosity, or thickness. Do
not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
necommenueu ~AC vlsr;osny
Grade Engine Oils
228
What Kind of Oil to Use (CONI)
SAE 1OW-30 (3800 V6 Engine)
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE
1OW-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if
it's going to be colder than
60°F
(16°C) before your next oil change.
When it's very cold, below
0°F
(-18" C), you should use SAE 5W-30.
These numbers on an oil container
show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do
not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the
lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range. I
HOT
YEATHER
COLD
N EATHER
. _._
SAE 5W-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, S
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMP
ABOVE
40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREE
DO NOT
USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 20W-
Energy Conserving II
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save
fuel.
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is
used on most oil containers to help you
select the correct oil.
You should look for
this on the oil
container, and use only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ Oil
(in Canada, GM
Engine
Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your
Oldsmobile dealer is ready to advise if
you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It's below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then
you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months-whichever
comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater (omoN)
An engine block heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18" C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see the
Index under Engine Block Heater.
229
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
230
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains
things that have caused skin
cancer
in laboratory animals. Don’t
let used
oil stay on your skin for
very
long. Clean your skin and
nails with soap and water, or
a
good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil.
Air Cleaner
Used oil can be a real threat to the Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
environment. determine when to replace the air filter.
If you change your own oil, be sure to See the Index under Scheduled
drain all free-flowing oil from the filter services*
before disposal.
Don’t ever dispose
of oil by pouring it
on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it
to a place that
collects used oil. If
you have a problem
properly disposing
of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
CAUTION I
Operating the engine with the I
I. air cleaner off can cause you
or others
to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it
stops flame if the engine backfires
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned
Don’t drive with
it off, and be
careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
232
3800 V6: Checking Air Cleaner Filter
To Check or Replace:
I,+ Loosen the four wing nuts.
Air Cleaner (CONT.)
3800 V6: Replacing Air Cleaner
Filter
2. Pull the top of the air cleaner toward
the front of the vehicle and remove
the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter,
replace the cover and tighten the
wing nuts securely.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See the
Index under
Scheduled Maintenance Services.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at an Oldsmobile dealership
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.
ProCarManuals.com

3
F
3
1
;.1L V6: Adding Automatic Transaxle
Wid
_I
1800 V6: Adding Automatic
Pansaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
-34°F (-37°C).
(128” C).
temperature.
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled
coolant conforming to GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refdl. Use
GM Engine Coolant
Supplement (sealer) with any complete
coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
235
ProCarManuals.com