
Service & Appearance Care
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL light on the
instrument panel comes
on, it means
you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see
Low Oil Level Light in the Index. You
should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
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 0il.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 bzck
in all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower, and check the level.
3100 V6: Checking Engine Oil
Twin
Dual Cam 3.4L V6: Checking
Engine Oil
’
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line,
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
Capacities
and Specifications
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could
be damaged.
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.

1
Service & Appearance Care
186
(-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.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SH or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as “SH/CD,” “SH,SG,CD,”“SG/CD,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on
most containers. If you cannot find
oils
with the “starburst” symbol, you should
look for oils with the doughnut shaped
symbol, containing the three things
noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API
SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench* oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
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 ltm).
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 lm) or 12
months -whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first
oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater) (omoN)
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to
park outside in very

Rinse the section with a clean, wet
0 Wipe off what's left with a slightly
Then dry it immediately with a blow
sponge.
damp
paper: towel
or clsth.
dryer or a heat lamp.
.NOTICE:
Ek careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp. You could scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a.clean cloth.
Using: SolvenbType Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
dearrer at
all; Some spots and stains
.will clean
off. better with just water and
mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
0 Gently scrape excess soil 'from the
trim material with ,a clean,
dull knife
or scraper.
Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths
(pre€erably cheesecloth). Cleaning
should start at the outside
of the

inspections that your Oldsmobile
dealer’s service department or another
qualified service center should perform.
“Section D: Recommended Fluids
&
Lubricants” lists some products GM
recommends to help keep your vehicle
properly maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used
whether you do the work yourself or
have it done.
“Section
E: Maintenance Record”
provides a place for you to record the
maintenance performed on your vehicle.
Whenever any maintenance is
performed, be sure to write it down in
this section. This will.help you
determine when your next maintenance
should be done. In addition, it
is a good
idea to keep your maintenance receipts.
They may be needed to qual@ your
vehicle for warranty repairs.
Section A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance
Schedule
This section tells you the maintenance
services you should have done and when
you should schedule them. Your
Oldsmobile dealer knows your vehicle
best and wants you to be happy with it.
If you go to your dealer for your service
needs, you’ll how that GM-trained and
supported service people will perform
the work using genuine GM parts.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits. You will find
these limits on your vehicle’s Tire-
Loading Information label. See
Loading Your Vehicle in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
use the recommended unleaded fuel.
See
Fuel in the .Index.
Selecting fhe Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the
two schedules is right for your vehicle.
Here’s how
to decide which schedule to
follow:
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your
vehicle?
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 lm).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16
lun) when outside temperatures are
below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty
areas.
You tow a trailer. (With some models,
you should never tow a trailer. See
Towing a Trailer in the Index.)
If any one (or more) of these is true for
your driving, follow Schedule
I.
Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 only if none of’the
above conditions is true.
L
237

Maintenance Schedule
238
Schedule l
Follow Schedule I if your vehicle is
MAINLY driven under one or more of
the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles
When most trips are less than 10
(6 lun) .
miles (16 ltm) and outside
temperatures remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended
idling and/or frequent low-speed
operation, as in stop-and-go traffic.
When towing a trailer. (With some
models, you should never tow a
trailer. See
Towing a Trailer in the
Index.)
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if
the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police,
taxi or other commercial
applications.
ITEM TO BE SERVICED
Nom See Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services
following Schedules I and 11.
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months
(whichever occurs first).
I 2 I Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change. I
I 4 I Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection* I Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 lun) or 24 Months. I
I 6 I Cooling System Service" I Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 lun) or 24 Months. I
I
8 I Spark Plug Replacement* I Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km). I
I 12 I Fuel Tanlc, Cap and Lines Inspection*+ I Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 lun).
~
I
I

driven under one or more of these
c.onditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature: regularly
reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
(With some models, you shouldn’t
ever tow
a trailer. See Towing a
Trailer
in the Index.)
Uses such as.found in taxi, police
car or delivery service.
If-you do not use your vehicle under
any of these conditions, change both
the fluid and filter every
100,000
miles (166 000 km) .
Replace spark plugs with the proper
type. See
Replacement-Parts in the
Index.
9. Spark Plug Wire Inspection*T -
Inspect for burns, .cracks or other
damage. Check the boot fit at the
coils and at the spark plugs. Replace
wires as needed.
8. Spark PIug~Replacement* -
-10. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
System Inspection
(3.4L Code X
engine only)*? - Conduct the
EGR system service-as described in
the service manual.
To purchase a
service manual, see Service
Publications
in the Index.
1 1. Air Cleaner Filter Replacementgc -
Replace every 30,000 miles
(50 000 lun) or more often under
dusty conditions. Ask your dealer
for the proper replacement intervals
for your driving conditions.
12. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspectiong‘t
- Inspect fuel tank,
cap and lines (including fuel rails
and injection assembly). for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for
an even filler neck imprint or any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
Periodic replacement of the fuel
filter is not required.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s
displacement and code, see
Engine
Identification
in the Index.
* = An Emission Control Service.
f = The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
or the California Air Resources
Board has determined that the failure to
perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty
or limit
recall liability prior to the completion of
vehicle
useful life. General Motors,
however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded in “Section
E: Maintenance
Record.”
243

Passing ........................................... 132
Winter Driving
............................... 140
With a Trailer
................................ 146
Drunken Driving
.............................. 126
Electric Outside Mirror Control
..... 82
Electrical Center, Underhood
.......... 220
Electrical Equipment.
Adding
............................. 60. 111. 220
Electronic Climate Control
.............. 107
Emergencies on the Road
................. 149
Emergency Starting
.......................... 150
Emergency Towing .......................... 154
Engine Block Heater
.......................... 61
Engine Coolant
................................ 190
Checking &Adding
.............. 160, 161
Heater
...................................... 61, 186
Low Coolant Warning Light ........... 94
Proper Mixture to Use
.................. 161
Safety Warnings About
.................. 159, 160, 181, 190
Temperature Gage
........................... 93
Engine Exhaust
.................................. 69
Engine Identification
....................... 219
Engine Oil
........................................ 184
Additives
........................................ 186
1 Capacity ......................................... 227
Through Deep Standing Water
....... 60
Emergencies. Braking in
.................. 130
Emergencies. Steering in
................. 131
Checking & Adding ....................... 184
Disposing of Used Oil
................... 187
Energy Conserving
........................ 186
Filter
.............................................. 186
Pressure Gage .................................. 95
Starburst
........................................ 185
Warning Light
.................................. 94
When to Change
............................ 186
Engine Overheating ......................... 158
Engine Specifications
....................... 232
Engine Starting
.................................. 59
Ethanol in Gasoline
......................... 177
Exhaust Dangerous Gas in
............. 57. 69. 142
Parking with the Engine
Running
.................................. 68. 70
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety
Belts
................................................. 27
Expressway Driving
......................... 137
Extender. Safety Belt
......................... 46
Exterior Appearance (see
Appearance
Fabric Cleaning (see Appearance Care)
Fan Warnings ........................... 152. 181
Filling the Fuel Tank ........................ 179
Filter Air
.................................................. 187
Fuel
................................................ 233
Oil
.......................................... 186. 233
Care)
Finish Care ....................................... 217
Finish Damage
................................. 217
Flash-to-Pass
...................................... 79
Flashers. Hazard Warning
............... 150
Flat Tire ............................................ 165
Flooded Engine
.................................. 60
Fluid Automatic Transaxle
..................... 188
Bralte .............................................. 194
Capacities
...................................... 227
Power Steering
.............................. 192
Windshield Washer
....................... 193
Fluids
& Lubricants ................. 229. 248
Fog Lights
.................................. 80. 204
Fold-Down Storage Compartment
.... 83
Foreign Material ................................ 217
Freeway Driving
............................... 137
French Language Manual
.................... 2
Fuel ................................................... 177
Alcohol in Fuel
.............................. 177
Capacity
................................. 179. 272
Exhaust Warnings
................... 57. 142
Filling Your Tank
.......................... 179
Fuels with Alcohol
........................ 177
Gage
................................................. 93
In Foreign Countries
..................... 178
Low Fuel Warning Light
................. 98
Requirements
................................ 177
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ................ 220
L
265

I
Stoplight. Inside .................... 215. 216
Taillights
.......................... 77. 202. 203
Turn Signal
.................................... 146
Warning Lights
.......................... 91. 98
Loading Your Vehicle
...................... 205
Lock Finder
........................................ 56
Locks. Door
........................................ 51
Locks. Remote Control ...................... 52
Lockout Control Switch. Power
Window
............................................ 72
Long Distance Driving
.................... 138
Low Battery ........................................ 98
Low Coolant Warning Light
.............. 94
Low Oil Level Light
........................... 94
Luggage Carrier
.................................. 87
Low
Fuel Warning Light
.................... 98
M- aintenance
Replacement Parts
......................... 233
Schedule
........................................ 235
Services. Scheduled
...................... 237
When Trailer Towing
.................... 148
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............. 97
Manual Front Seat
............................. 12
Master Cylinder. Brake
.................... 194
Methanol in Gasoline
...................... 177
Mileage Indicator (see
Odometer G
Speedometer)
Mirrors
Convex Outside
............................... 81
Inside Manual Daymight ............... 81
Manual Adjust ................................. 82
Manual Remote Control
................. 82
Power Remote Control
.................... 82
Visor Vanity ..................................... 83
Mountain Driving 139
............................
N et,
Convenience ............................ 57
New Vehicle Break-In
............... 58. 144
Night Driving
................................... 134
Octane Requirements (see
Fuel)
Odometer ........................................... 92
Oil. Engine
....................................... 184
Capacity
......................................... 227
Pressure Gage
.................................. 95
Quality
........................................... 185
Thickness
....................................... 186
Used
Oil ......................................... 187
When to Change ............................ 186
Oil Warning Light
........................ 94. 98
Outside Rearview Mirrors
................. 82
Overdrive. Automatic
........................ 65
Overheated Engine
.......................... 158
Overheated Engine Coolant Warning
Light
................................................. 94
Owner Checks
& Services ............... 244 Paint
Chemical Spotting
......................... 218
Finish Care
.................................... 217
Finish Damage
.............................. 217
Park. Shifting Into
Column Shift
................................... 67
Console Shift
................................... 68
Over Things That Burn
................... 69 .
With the Engine Running ......... 68. 70
Parking
Parking
Brake
..................................... 66
PASS-Key*II
...................................... 55
Passenger Belts (see Safety Belts)
Passing .............................................. 132
Polishing and Waxing (see
Appearance
Power Antenna ................................ 124
Power Door Locks
............................. 52
Power Mirrors
.................................... 82
Power Seat Controls
.......................... 13
Power Steering
......................... 192, 226
Power Steering Fluid
....................... 192
Power Windows
............................... 226
Power Window Lockout Control
Switch
.............................................. 72
Problems on the Road
...................... 149
Publications (see
Service Publications)
Care)
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts During ... 27
Pulse Windshield Wipers
................... 76
.
267