Page 185 of 276
Twin Dual  Cam (DOHC) 3.4L V6 
Engine (CODE x) 
When  you open the hood,  you’ll see: 
1. Power  Steering  Fluid  Reservoir 
2. Automatic Transaxle  Fluid  Dipstick 
3. Brake  Fluid  Reservoir 
4. Windshield  Washer  Fluid  Reservoir 
5. Battery 
6. Air Cleaner 
7. Engine  Oil  Fill  Cap 
8. Engine  Oil  Dipstick 
9. Radiator Pressure Cap 
IO. Engine Coolant  Reservoir 
183  
     
        
        Page 190 of 276

Service & Appearance Care 
2. Remove the air cleaner  filter. 
3. Be sure  to  install the air cleaner  filter 
and  replace  the cover  tightly. 
Automatic Transaxk Fluid 
When fo 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 
Scheduled  Maintenance 
Services 
in  the Index. 
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. 
NOTICE: 
Too much  or too.little  fluid can 
damage  your  transaxle. 
Too much 
can  mean  that some  of the  fluid 
could  come  out and  fall 
on hot 
engine  parts 
or exhaust  system, 
starting  a 
fire. Be sure  to  get an 
accurate  reading if you check  your 
transaxle  fluid. 
Wait  at least 
30 minutes  before 
checking  the  transaxle  fluid  level 
if you 
have  been  driving: 
When  outside  temperatures  are  above 
At high  speed  for quite a while. 
In heavy  traffic - especially in hot 
90°F (32°C). 
weather. 
While  pulling  a trailer. 
To get  the  right  reading,  the fluid 
should  be at 
normal operating 
temperature,  which  is  18O"F-to 
2OOpF 
(82°C to 93T). 
Get the vehicle  warmed  up by driving 
about 
15 miles (24 lun) 'when  outside 
temperatures  are  above 
50°F (10°C). If  
     
        
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3100 V6: Checking  Auto'matic 
Transaxle  Flmulid 
Twin  Dual  Cam 
3.4L V6: Checking 
Automatic  Tmnsaxle  Fluid  
     
        
        Page 192 of 276
Twin Dual Cam 3.4L V6: Ad,ding 
Automatic 
Transaxle Fluid 
I Engine .Coolant 
The  follciwing  explains  your  cooling 
system  and how  to add  coolant when  it 
is  low.  If 
you have a problem  with 
engine  overheating or 
if y0.u need to add 
coolant  to your  radiator, 
see Engine 
Overheating in the Index. 
The  proper  coolant for your  Oldsmobile 
will: 
Give  freezing  protection down to-34”F 
Give  boiling  protection up to 262°F 
Protect  againstrust  and corrosion. 
(-37°C). 
(128°C). 
Help  keep the proper engine 
Let the warning lights  work as they 
What to Use 
temperature. 
should. 
Use 
a mixture of one-half dean-water 
(preferably  distilled)  and one-half 
antifreeze  that meets 
“GM Specificatkm 
1825-M,” which  won’t  damage 
aluminum parts. 
You can  also  use  a 
recycled  coolant conforming 
to GM 
Specification  1825-M with 
a complete  coolant 
flush  and  refill. 
If you use this 
mixture,  you don’t  need to add 
anything 
else.  
     
        
        Page 194 of 276

Service & Appearance Care 
Radiator  Pressure  Cap 
NOTICE: 
Your radiator cap  is a 15 psi 
(105kPa)  pressure-type  cap and 
must be  tightly. installed 
io prevent 
coolant  loss and  possible  engine 
damage  from  overheating.  Be sure 
the  arrows on  the cap  line  up with 
192 
Add  coolant  mix at the  recovery  tank, 
but  be  careful  not to spill  it. 
L I 
the overflow  tube  on  the  radiator 
filler  neck. 
I Power Steering Fluid 
How To  Check  Power  Steering 
When  you  replace  your  radiator  premre 
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. 
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 mark. 
When  the engine compartment is 
cool,  the level  'should  be  at  the 
C 
mark. 
What to Add 
Refer to  the  Maintenance  Schedule to 
determine what  kind of fluid  to use.  See  
     
        
        Page 195 of 276
Recommended  Fluids  and  Lubricants 
in  the Index. 
NOTICE: 
When adding  power steering  fluid 
or  making  a complete  fluid change, 
always  use  the  proper fluid. Failure 
to  use  the proper  fluid can cause 
leaks  and damage  hoses  and seals. 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
To Add 
Open  the  cap labeled WASHER 
FLUID ONLY. Add  washer  fluid until 
the  bottle  is  full. 
NOTICE: 
When  using  concentrated  washer 
fluid,  follow  the manufacturer’s 
instructions  for adding  water. 
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. 
. 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. 
Don’t  use radiator  antifreeze  in 
your  windshield  washer.  It can 
damage  your  washer system and 
paint. 
193  
     
        
        Page 196 of 276
are  worn, then you'll  have.  too much 
ff uid 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. 
194 
When  your  brake fldd falls to  a  low 
level,  your  brake warning  light  will 
come  on. See 
Brake Syste-m Warning 
Light in the Index. 
What to Add 
When  you  do  need  brake fluid,  use  o.nly 
DOT-3 brake fluid - such as  Delco 
Supreme 
11s (GM Part No. 1052535). 
Use  new  brake  fluid from a sealed 
container 
only, .and  always  clean the  brake 
fluid reservoir  cap 
before 
removing  it. 
Brake Wear 
Your  Oldsmobile has four-wheel  disc 
brakes. 
Disc  brake  pads  have  builtin wear 
indicators  that make 
a high-pitched 
warning  sound when the brake  pads  are 
worn and new  pads  are needed.  Be  
     
        
        Page 219 of 276
NOTICE: 
Machine  compounding  or  aggressive polishing 
on a  basecoat/clearcoat 
.paint finish may dull the  finish  or 
leave 
swirl marks. 
Aluminum Wpzeek 
(IF SO. EQUlPPf D) 
Weatherstrips 
Silicone grease  on  weatherstrips  will 
make  them  last longer, 
seal better,  and 
not  stick- or squeak.  Apply  silicone 
grease  with  a  clean cloth  at  least every 
six months.  During very  cold, damp 
weather  more frequent  application  .may 
be  required. 
(See Recommended Fluids 
G Lubricants in the,Index.) 21 7