Po-
UNLEADED FUEL 0
0
U2238
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how
much fuel you have left, when the
ignition is on. When the gage first
indicates
E (Empty), you still have a
little fuel left, but you should get more
soon.
Here are four things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with your fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts
off before the gage reads
F (Full).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill
up than the gage indicated. For
example, the gage may have indicated
the
tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half
the
tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn
a corner, brake or speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to E when
you
turn off the ignition.
For your fuel
tank capacity, see Sewice
Station Information
on the last page of
this manual.
I u22391
Low Fuel Warning Light
When there is between 3 gallons
(1 1 liters) and .5 gallon (1.8 liters) of
fuel left
in the tank, the warning light
next to the fuel symbol will
go on.
This light will also come on when
you
turn on the ignition, but the engine is
not running, to show you it is working.
If it doesn’t come on as you start your
vehicle, have
it fixed right away.
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When the air conditioner compressor is
on, you may sometimes notice slight
changes in your vehicle’s engine
performance and power. This is normal,
because the system is designed to help
fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture
from the air,
so you may sometimes
notice water dripping from under your
vehicle when it is idling or after it has
been turned off. This is normal.
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool
down more quickly and economically if
you open the windows long enough to
let hot inside air escape. For all settings,
adjust the temperature control lever and
fan speed as desired.
Directional Controls
RECIRC (Recirculate): Press to get
maximum cooling or quick cool-down
on very hot days. This setting
recirculates much of the air inside your
vehicle.
It should not be used for long
periods
of time because the air may
become too cold and dry.
Slide the temperature control lever down
to the coolest setting and adjust the fan
speed as desired.
UPPER: For normal cooling on hot
days, press
A/C along with UPPER.
This setting cools outside air and directs
it through the instrument panel outlets.
Adjust the temperature of the air with
the temperature control lever.
BI-LEV (Bi-Level): This setting is
designed for use
on sunny days when
the air is only moderately warm or cool.
On days like these, the sun may
adequately warm your upper body, but
your lower body may not be warm
enough.
The
BI-LEV setting directs outside air
into your vehicle
in two ways. Cooler
air is directed toward your upper body
through the front instrument panel
outlets, while warmed air
is directed
through the heater ducts at your feet.
At
times this temperature difference may be
more apparent than others. For best
results, slide
the temperature control
lever to the middle position, and then
adjust for comfort.
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Towing a Tmiler
I I If you don’t use the correct I
L L equipment and drive properly,
you can lose control when you pull
a trailer. For example, if the trailer
is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well-or even at all. You and
your passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull a trailer only
if you
have followed all the steps in this section. Your
Oldsmobile can tow a trailer. To
identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity is for your vehicle, you should
read the information in
Weight of the
Trailer
that appears later in this section.
But trailering
is different than just
driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering
means changes
in handling, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and
it
has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for
this section, In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and
that of your passengers.
So please read
this section carefully before you pull a
trailer. Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, and
tires
are forced to work harder against
the drag of the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively higher
speeds and under greater loads, generating
extra heat. What’s more, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
All
of that means changes in:
Handling
Durability
Fuel economy
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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
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Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These
fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything
to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right kind of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see
“UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane
is at least 87.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get
a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry
if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up
a hill. That’s normal, and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane
fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means you have a
problem.
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen, such
as
MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl
ether:’ Fuel that is no more than
15 %
MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that
is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
Fuel Capacity: 20 U.S. Gallons (76L).
Use unleaded fuel only.
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To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact
a major oil company
that does business in the country where
you'll be driving.
You can
also write us at the following
address for advice. Just tell us where
you're going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
.
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International
Export Sales
P.O. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario LlH 7N1, Canada
Remote Fuel Door Release
The remote fuel door release can help
keep your fuel tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel door
is closed and latched after refueling.
To open the fuel door (on the left rear
fender), lift the release lever beside the
driver's seat.
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
left side
of your vehicle.
h nammable. It burns violently,
lsoline vapor is highly
ana that can cause very bad
injuries. Don't smoke if you're
near gasoline or refueling your
vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away from
gasoline. I
1
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise).
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Service & Appearance Care
220
* If you get gasoline on you and
- then something ignites it, yor
could be badly burned. Gasoline
can spray out on you
if you open
the fuel filler cap too quickly. This
spray can happen if your
tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler
noise
to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
ap slowly and wait
for any "hiss'
type. Your dealer can
If you get
the
your fuel tank
not fit or have
I
Checking Things Under
the
Hood
The following sections tell you how to
check fluids, lubricants
and important
parts underhood.
When
you put the cap back on, turn it to
the right until you hear a clicking noise.
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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Replacement blades for your vehicle are
24 inches in length. They come in
different
types and are removed in
different ways. Here's how to remove
the type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away
from the windshield.
2. Lift the release clip with a
screwdriver and pull the blade
assembly
off the wiper arm.
the wiper arm.
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on
CAWRFRT GAWRRR
THIS MH1CX.E CONNJRMS TU ALL APPLICABLE US FEDERAL
OF MANUFACWRE SHOWN ABOVE. MOTOR YWICLE SAFETY SPANDARDS lN EFFECT ON TAe DAn
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TIRESIZE '%ED RIM PSYKPA(C0LD)
Loading Mur Vehicle
The CertificatiodTire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver's door.
The label shows the size
of your original
tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity of
your vehicle. This is called the
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle,
all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The CertificatiodTire label also tells
you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh station
and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on both sides
of the
centerline.
Never exceed the
GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the &ont or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread
it out.
Electronic Level Control
On vehicles equipped with optional
electronic level control, the rear of the
vehicle
is automatically kept level as you
load or unload your vehicle. For more
about
this option see the Index under
Electronic Level Control.
L
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