1993 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE service

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.
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Service & Appearance Care
234
Automatic mansaxle Fluid (CONK)
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull
it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be
in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should
be, push the dipstick back
in all the
way.
I
3.1L V6: Checking Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
I
3800 V6: Checking Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of transaxle fluid to
use. See the Index under Fluids &
Lubricants.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level into
the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less
than a pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use
only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for your
automatic transaxle. Damage caused
by
fluid other than DEXRON -DE is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to Check.
When the correct fluid level is obtained,
push
the dipstick back in all the way.
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Service & Appearance Care
Engine Coolant (CONT.)
I
fmIlTIfi I I
Adding only plain water to I
L L your cooling system can be
aangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
I
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 mi
of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
I’
NOTICE
If you use an improper coolant
mix, your engine could overheat
and be badly damaged. The repail
cost wouldn’t
be covered by your
warranty. Too much water
in the
mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
I
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant:
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be
at COLD, or a little
higher. When
your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to mJLL HOT, or a
little higher.
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Service & Appearance Care
238
Radiator Pressure Cap
(105 kPa) pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent
$3
coolant loss and possible engine +-
damage from overheating. Be sure
the arrows on the cap line up with
the overflow tube on
the radiator
filler neck.
When
you replace your radiator pressure
cap, an
AC@ cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat
in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the flow
of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
H (Hot)
mark.
the level should be at the
C (Cold)
mark.
When the engine compartment is cool,
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Service & Appearance Care
Windshield Washer Fluid (CONT.)
I 1 When using concentrated washer ” I
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
I 1 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
system. Also, water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
It
-1 Fill your washer fluid tank only
% full when it’s very cold. This
allows
for expansion, which
could damage the
tank if it is
completely full.
I 1 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer.
It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
I
240
.. -. -. .. , .:.
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are
only two reasons why the
brake
fluid level in your master cylinder
might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other
reason is that fluid is leaking
out
of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system
fixed,
since a leak means that sooner or later
your brakes won’t work well, or won’t
work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to
“top
off’ your brake fluid. Adding
brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you
add fluid when your linings are
worn,
then you’ll have too much fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake fluid, as
necessary,
only when work is done on
the brake hydraulic system.
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Service & Appearance Care
Taillight Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see the Ida under
Replacement Bulbs.
1. Open the rear side windows and
2. Remove the two screws from the
3. Undo the spring clips under the
liftgate.
taillight housing.
weatherstrip at the rear
of the side
window.
4. Pull off the entire taillight housing.
5. Pinch the lever and twist the bulb
assembly
yS turn counterclockwise to
remove.
6. Remove the bulb by pressing in and
turning
y8 turn counterclockwise.
7. Line up the small retainer bumps on
the replacement bulb
so that the
lower bump slides into the deepest
slot in the housing. Press
in and twist
the bulb
y8 turn clockwise.
Reposition the bulb assembly in the
taillight housing.
Turn the assembly
y6 turn clockwise to lock in place.
and screws.
8. Replace the entire taillight housing
9. Attach the spring clips to the
taillight housing and secure them.
liftgate. signals and taillights.
IO. Close the rear side windows and
1 1. Test the bulbs by using your turn
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Service & Appearance Care
246
Loading Your Vehice (CONTI
I I
Do not load your vehicle any
L heavier than the GVWR or the
aximum front and rear GAWRs.
If you do, parts on your vehicle
can break, or
it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to
get added durability might not change
your weight ratings. Ask your dealer to
help you load your vehicle
the right way.
-r componenk that fhil because o
verloabing. .. .. .,... . - .. ,l_, ._, ,
It you put things inside your vehicle-
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else-they will go as fast as
the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they'll
keep going. I
A vehicle can strike and injure
+ople in a sudden
stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of
xInl1r vehicle. Try to spread the
. . ight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops
of the seats.
When you carry something
inside
the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Don't leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
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Service & Appearance Care
248
Inflation-Tire Pressure
The CertificatiodTire label which is on
the rear edge of the driver’s door shows
the correct inflation pressures for your
tires, when they’re cold. “Cold’’ means
your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than a
mile. Don’t
let anyone tell you that
underinflation
or overinflation is
all right. It’s not. If your tires don’t
have enough air (underinflation),
you can get:
Too much flexin1
Too much heat
Tire overloadine
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air
(overinflation), you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
I
When to Check:
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It
should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check:
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply looking at
the tires will not tell you the pressure,
especially if you have radial tires-
which may look properly inflated even if
they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to
put them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
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