Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how
much fuel you have left, when the
ignition is on. When the indicator nears
E (Empty), you still have a little fuel left,
but yonshould get more soon.
Here arethree things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem
with your fuel gage:
At the gas station, with your ignition
on, 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 or speed up.
For your fuel tank capacity, see
Service
Station Information
on the last page of
this manual.
qBAG
1..
PES \/
Engine Coolant Temperafure
Gage
You have a gage that shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, your engine is
too hot!
That reading means the same thing as
the warning light. It means that your
engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions you should
pull
off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In
Problems on the Road,. this manual
shows what to
do. See the Index under
Engine Overheating.
93
Comfort Controls &Audio Systems
104
I. I
I/ * /I CLIMATE CONTROL
[El
I Climate Control
The air conditioner and heater work
)est if you keep your windows closed
vhile using them. Your vehicle also has
:he flow-through ventilation system
iescribed later in this section.
3FF: Press to turn the blower off. Air
vi11 still come from the outlets at the
loor. Press any function button to turn
.he system on.
remperature Control Lever: This lever
:hanges the temperature of the air
:oming through the system. The higher
.he lever setting, the warmer the air.
8: Selects the force of air you want.
Press
LO to lower the fan speed, HI to
raise it.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows
long enough to let hot inside air escape.
This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down, which should help
fuel economy.
There are three
air conditioning settings:
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or
quick cool-down on very hot days. This
setting also helps prevent outside odors
from entering your vehicle.
This setting recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle, and it should not be
used for long periods because the air
may become too cold and dry. This
setting is not recommended if an
occupant is smoking.
NORM: Use for normal cooling on hot
days. This setting brings in outside air, cools
it and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV (Bi-Level): Use on cool, but
sunny days. This setting brings in
outside air, but directs it in two ways.
The cool air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the
instrument panel outlets, but most
warmed air is directed through the
heater ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents. At times this
temperature difference may be more
apparent than others.
Heating and Ventilation
When you don’t need to cool the
outside air, use these next settings. You
can leave the air as it is or heat it.
The air conditioner compressor doesn’t
run in these settings. This reduces the
engine load, resulting in improved fuel
economy (gas mileage).
VENT: For mild outside temperatures,
when little heating or cooling is needed,
push
VENT. Air flow is through the
instrument panel outlets. Slide the
temperature control lever to a
comfortable level.
llou can also write us at the following
iddress for advice. Just tell us where
{ou’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN) .
General Motors Overseas Distribution
North American
Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LIH 8P7
Corporation
Filling Your Tank
Fuel Capacity:
16.5 U.S. Gallons (62 L). Use unleaded
fuel
only.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
left side
of your vehicle. While
refueling; hang the cap. inside the
fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the
left (countercloclwise)
.
1 79
Service &Appearance Care
180
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean
gasoline
from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. See Cleaning the Outside
of Your Oldsmobile in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it
to the right until
you hear at least .three
cliclcs .
If you need a new cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can
get one for you. If you get the
wrong type, it may
not fit or have
proper venting, and your fuel tank
and emissions system might be
damaged.
Checking Things Under the
Hood
The following sections tell you how to
check
fluids, lubricants and important
parts underhood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle
inside the vehicle. Then
go
to the front of the vehicle and
release
the^ secondary hood release.
Lift the hood.
I
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.
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