Service & Appearance Care
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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
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IMPORTANT
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This part covers the maintenance
required for your Oldsmobile. Your
vehicle needs these services to retain
its safety, dependability and emission
control performance.
Have you purchased the
GM Protection Plan?
The Plan supplements your
new vehicle warranties.
See
your Oldsmobile dealer for details.
Part 7
Maintenance Schedule
Section
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance ............................. .276
Your Vehicle and the Environment.
........................ .276
How This Part is Organized. ............................. .277
A. Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules ........................ .278
Selecting the Right Schedule
............................. .278
Schedule1
............................................ 280
Schedule11
........................................... 282
Explanation
of Scheduled Maintenance Services ............. .284
B. Owner Checks & Services
AtEachFuelFill ....................................... 287
At Least Once a Month
................................. .287
At Least Once a Year
................................... .288
D. Recommended Fluids & Lubricants ........................ .291
E. MaintenanceRecord ...................................... 294
C. Periodic Maintenance Inspections .......................... .290
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ITEM
NO.
5
6
7
SERVICE
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection-
Inspect the drive belt for cracks, hying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
Cooling
System Service*-Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to
GM Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See the
Index under Coolant. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they
are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap and
neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recornmend a
pressure test of both the cooling system
and the
pressure cap.
Transaxle Service-Change both the fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more
of these
conditions:
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
In heavy city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches
90" F (32" C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change both the fluid and filter
every
100,OOO miles (160 000 km).
with the proper type. See the Index under
Replacement Parts.
9 Spark Plug Wire Inspection*-Inspect for burns,
cracks
or other damage. Check the boot fit at the
distributor or coils and at the spark plugs. Replace
wires as needed. service.
8 Spark Plug
Replacement*-Replace spark plugs
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Dome Lights ................... 89
Door Locks
............. .47.48. 54
Door. Power Sliding
......... .54. 111
Door. Sliding
................... 53
Driver Position .................. 25
Driving
....................... 139
AtNight
.................... 159
City
........................ 165
Controlling a Skid
............. 158
Defensively
.................. 144
Drunken
.................... 145
Freeway
.................... 166
Hill and Mountain
............ 170
In a Foreign Country
........... 218
In Fog. Mist and Haze
......... 164
In Rain
..................... 161
Long Distance
................ 168
Loss
of Control ............... 158
On Curves
................... 154
Passing
..................... 156
Through Deep Standing Water
.............. 63
Winter Driving
............... 173
With a Trailer
................ 181
Drunken Driving
............... 145
- .
Electric Outside Mirror Control ... 92
Electrical Equipment.
Adding
............. .63. 121. 263
Electronic Level Control
..... .99. 245
Emergencies. Braking in ......... 153
Emergencies on the Road
......... 185
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 155
Emergency Starting
............. 187
Emergency Towing
.............. 191
Engine Block Heater
........ .63. 229
Engine Coolant
....... .235. 269. 272
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
............. 108
Engine Exhaust
.... .60. 71. 72. 111. 175. 181
Engine Identification
............ 263
Engine Oil
.................... 225
Additives
................... 229
Checking
& Adding ...... .225. 226
Disposing
of Used Oil ......... 230
Energy Conserving
............ 228
Pressure Gage
................ 106
Pressure Indicator
............ -106
Warning
.................... 230
When to Change
.............. 229
Engine Overheating
............. 195 Engine Specifications
............ 271
Engine. Starting
................. 61
Ethanol in Gasoline
............. 217
Exhaust
Dangerous Gas
Parking with the in
......... .60.71.72.111.175. 181
Engine Running
......... .70. 72
Expectant Mothers.
Use of
Safety Belts .................. 29
Expressway Driving
............. 166
Extender. Safety Belt
............. 42
Exterior Appearance (see
Appearance Care)
n
&bric Cleaning (see Appearance Care)
Fan Warnings ...... .188. 189. 197. 222
Filling
the Fuel Tank ............ 219
Filter Air Cleaner
............. .230. 271
Oil
.................... .229. 271
Finish Care
................... 259
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........ 186
Flat Tire
...................... 203
Flooded Engine
................. 62
313
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