1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme oil level

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.

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.

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.

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

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

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the
mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at the
COLD mark or a
little higher. When your engine is warm,
the level should be up to the
HOT mark
or a little higher.
1 SECURITY I
P
w OIL LOW
EVEL COOLANT I
If this light comes on, it means you’re
low on engine coolant.
To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the
proper mix
at the coolant recovery
tank.
If the coolant recovery tank is
completely empty, add coolant to the
radiator. (See
Engine Overheating in
the
Index.)
191

Maintenance Schedule
242 ~
Explanation of~scheduled
Mainfenance Services
Following are explanations of the
services listed in Schedule I and
Schedule
11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use
are listed in Section D. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle
uses
these. All parts should be-replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or
anyone else drives the vehicle.
ITEM SERVICE
NO.
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving I1 oils of proper viscosity.
The “SH” or “SG” designation may
be shown alone or in combination
with others, such as “SH/CD,” “SH,
SG, CD,”“SG/CD,” etc. To
determine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine (e.g., SAE 5W-
30 or SAE 10W-30), see
Engine Oil
in the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication - Lubricate
suspension and steering linkage.
Lubricate the transaxle shift linkage,
and parking brake cable guides,
underbody contact points and
linkage.
3. Tire and Wheel Rotation and
Inspection
- For proper wear and
maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this
manual. See
Tires, Inspection 6
Rotation in the hdex. Check the
tires for uneven wear or damage.
If
you see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment. Check for
damaged wheels also.
Inspection *‘ - Inspect the belt for
cracks, fraying, wear and proper
tension. Replace as needed.
5. Camshaft Timing Belt Inspection
(3.4L Code X engine only) * -
Inspect for cracks, wear or oiliness.
Check tensioner for proper operation.
See the service manual.
(To purchase
4. Engine Accessory Drive Belt
a service manual, see Service
Publications
in the Index.) Replace
parts as needed.
6. Cooling System Service* - Drain,
flush and refill the system with new
or approved recycled. coolant
conforming
to GM Specification
1825M. Keep coolant at the proper
mixture as specified. See
Coolant in
the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection, corrosion
inhibitor level and maintains proper
engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace
if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated.
Clean the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser. Wash the
pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we
recommend a pressure test of both
the cooling system and the pressure
cap.
7. Transaxle Service - Change both
the fluid and filter .every
15,000 miles
(25
000 lm) if the vehicle is mainly