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.
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
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