Page 12 of 276
How to Use this Manual 
These  symbols  are on some of your 
controls: 
Windshield  Wipers 
Windshield  Washer 
Windshield  Defroster 
Rear  Window  Defogger 
Ventilating  Fan 
Power  Window 
w 
3f 
1+1 
These  symbols  are  used  on warning 
and indicator lights: 
Engine  Coolant 
Temperature 
Battery  Charging 
System 
Fuel Engine  Oil  Pressure 
Anti-Lock  Brakes 
Here are  some  other  symbols  you 
may see: 
Fuse 
Trunk 
or Liftgate  Release e 
I 
n Lighter 
Horn 
Speaker 
Hood  Release 
# 
10  
     
        
        Page 96 of 276

94 
P 
,w 0I.L LOW 
EVEL COOLANT I 
I 
Low Coolant Wa-mjng  Light 
If this  light  comes  on, your  system  is 
low  on coolant  and the engine  may 
overheat. 
See  .the 
Index. under Engine Coolant. 
and  have  your vehicle  serviced  as.soon 
as  you  can 
... 
LOW 'OIL . 
LEV-E L; COOLA 
Low Engine Oil- Level  Warning 
Light 
(omorv) 
Your  engine  may be  equipped  with an 
oil  level  monitoring  system.  When.  the 
ignition  key  is turned  on,  the 
LOW OIL 
LEVEL light will  briefly  flash. If the 
light  stays 
on, stop  the  vehicle on a  level 
surface  and turn  the  engine  off.  Check 
the  oil  level  using  the engine  oil 
dipstick.  (See the 
Index under Engine 
Oil.) If the  light  does  not flash,  have  the 
low  oil  level  sensor  system  repaired 
so it 
will  be ready  to warn  you if there's a 
problem. 
NOTIC E: 
The  oil.leve1  monitoring  system 
only  checks  oil  level  during  the 
brief  period  between  key on and 
engine  crank.  It  does not monitor 
engine  oil  level  when  the engine  is 
running.  Additionally,  an oil  level 
check  is  only  performed  if the 
engine  has been  turned off for  a 
considerable  peri.od  of time 
allowing  the oil  normally  in 
circulation  to drain  back into the 
oil  pan.  
     
        
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." -2 
hn \ rnn c 
Oil Pressure lndicafor 
This indicator tells  you if there  could  be 
a  problem  with your engine  oil pressure. 
The pointer should  be  above the red 
zone when  the engine 
is running. 
Readings  in  the red area  tell  you  that 
the  engine  is  low on oil,  or that  you 
might  have  some other  oil  problem.  See 
the 
Index under Engine  Oil. 
NOTICE: 
Damage  to your  engine  from 
neglected  oil  problems  can be  costly 
and is  not covered  by your 
warranty. 
Volfmefer 
When  the engine  is running,  the gage 
shows  the condition  of the  charging 
system.  Readings  between the red 
warning zones indicate  the normal 
operating range. 
Readings  in either red warning zone 
indicate a  possible  problem  in the 
electrical  system. 
Have your  vehicle 
serviced  immediately. 
When  your  engine is not  running,  but 
the  ignition  is on  (in  the 
Run position), 
the  gage  shows  your  battery's state 
of 
charge. 
95  
     
        
        Page 100 of 276

Features & Controls 
98 
NOTICE: 
If you  keep  driving  your  vehicle 
with this  light on, after 
a while  the 
emission  controls  won’t work as 
well,  your  fuel  economy  won’t be as 
good  and your  engine  may not  run 
as  smoothly.  This  could  lead  to 
costly  repairs  not covered  by your 
warranty. CHECK 
GAGES 
1 ANTI- 
Check  Gages  Light 
When  this light  comes  on it means  one 
of these four  things: 
You have  approximately 3 gallons 
(12 L) or  less  of fuel  remaining  in 
your  tank.  Check  your  fuel  gage. 
Your  oil  pressure  is  low.  Check  your 
oil  pressure  indicator. 
Your  engine  is  too hot.  Check  your 
coolant  temperature  gage. 
There  is  a  problem  with  the charging 
system. 
Head-Up Displcly (OP~ONJ 
If  you  have  the optional  Head-Up 
Display  (HUD), you  can  see  the 
speedometer  reading,  in English  or 
metric  units, displayed  “through”  the 
windshield.  The 
HUD also  shows: 
Turn signal  indicator  lights. 
A high  beam  indicator  symbol. 
A CHECK GAUGES message.  (For 
low  oil  pressure,  high  coolant 
temperature,  high  or  low  battery 
voltage,  and low fuel.)  
     
        
        Page 140 of 276

Your Driving and the Road 
The exit sp leed is  usu.alll J posted. 
Reduce  your  speed according  to your 
speedometer, not  to your  sense 
of 
motion.  After  driving  for  any  distance at 
higher  speeds,  you  may  tend to think 
you  are going  slower  than you actually 
are. 
4 Before  Leaving  on  a  Long 
Trip 
Make  sure you’re  ready. Try to be  well 
rested. 
If you must  start when  you’re 
not 
fr&- such  as  after  a  day’s  work 
- don’t plan to make too many  miles 
that  first  part of the  journey.  Wear 
comfortable  clothing  and shoes 
you can 
easily  drive  in. 
Is your  vehicle  ready  for a long trip? If 
you  keep  it serviced  and maintained,  it’s 
ready 
to go.  If it needs  service,  have  it 
done  before  starting  out. Of course, 
you’ll  find experienced  and able  service 
experts in  Oldsmobile  dealerships  all 
across North  America.  They’ll  be  ready 
and  willing  to help 
if you need  it. 
Here  are some  things  you can check 
before  a  trip: 
a 
Windshield  Washer Fluid: Is the 
reservoir  full?  Are  all  windows  clean 
inside  and outside? 
Wiper  Blades: Are they in good 
Fuel,  Engine Oil, Other  Fluids: Have 
Lights: Are  they  all  working?  Are  the 
shape? 
you checked  all  levels? 
lenses  clean? 
Tires: They are vitally  impartant  to a 
safe,  trouble-free  trip. 
Is the tread 
good  enough  far long-distance 
driving?  Are  the  tires all inflated 
to 
the  recommended  pressure? 
weather outlook  along  your route? 
Should  you  delay  your  trip a short 
time  to avoid 
a major  storm system? 
Maps: Do you have up-to-date  maps? 
Weather  Forecasts: What’s the 
I Highway Hypnosis 
Is there actually  such a condition as 
“highway  hypnosis”?  Or is it just plain 
falling  asleep  at the  wheel?  Call  it 
highway  hypnosis,  lack of~awareness,  or 
whatever.  
     
        
        Page 150 of 276
Mainfenance When  Trailer  Towing 
Your  vehicle  will  need  service  :nore 
often when  you’re  pulling  a trailer. See 
the 
Maintenance  Schedule for more  on 
this. Things  that are especially 
important in trailer operation are 
automatic transaxle  fluid (don’t 
overfill),  engine  oil,  belts, cooling 
system,  and brake adjustment.  Each of 
these is  covered  in this  manual, and  the 
Index will  help  you  find  them quickly. If 
you’re  trailering,  it’s a good  idea  to 
review  these sections  before  you start 
your  trip. 
Check  periodically  to see  that  all hitch 
nuts  and bolts  are tight.  
     
        
        Page 162 of 276
160 
Cooling System 
When  you  decide it’s safe to lift the 
hood,  here’s  what you’ll  see: 
(A) Coolant  recovery  tank 
(€3) Radiator pressure cap 
(C) Electric  engine  fans  If 
the  coolant inside  the coolant 
recovery  tank 
is boiling, don’t do 
anything else  until  it cools  down. 
The coolant  level  should  be  at or  above 
the 
COLD mark. If it  isn’t,  you  may 
have  a leak  in  the  radiator hoses,  heater 
hoses,  radiator,  water  pump 
or 
somewhere  else in the  cooling  system.  
     
        
        Page 184 of 276
Service & Appearanctr Care 
3700 V6 Engine (CODE M). 
When you open the hood,  you’ll  see: 
1. Power  Steering  Fluid  Reservoir 
2. Engine  Oil  Fill  Cap 
3. Automatic Transaxle  Fluid  Dipstick 
4. Brake  Fluid  Reservoir 
5. Windshield  Washer  Fluid  Reservoir 
6. Battery 
7. Air  Cleaner 
8. Engine Oil Dipstick 
9. Radiator Pressure Cap 
IO. Engine  Coolant  Reservoir