
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

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.)

3100 V6: Adding Engine Oil
c
’TwitEDual .Cam 3.4L V6: Adding
Engine
Oil
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the
proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst”
symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified
.by the American Petroleum Institute
(API)
, and is preferred for use in your
gasoline engine.
You should look for this on the front of
the oil container, and use only oils that
display this new symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosit:
oil for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGlNE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING,
SELECT THE LOWEST SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
COLD
LOOK FOR
WEATHER LABELS
HOT ONE OF THESE
1
SAE 5W-30
PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE MAY. BE USED AT TEMPERATURES WEATHER ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE
SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OMER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
4s shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is
3est for your vehicle. However, you can
Ise SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
L
185

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

Twin Dual Cam 3.4L V6: Ad,ding
Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
I Engine .Coolant
The follciwing explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If
you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if y0.u need to add
coolant to your radiator,
see Engine
Overheating in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
Give freezing protection down to-34”F
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect againstrust and corrosion.
(-37°C).
(128°C).
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use
temperature.
should.
Use
a mixture of one-half dean-water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specificatkm
1825-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
You can also use a
recycled coolant conforming
to GM
Specification 1825-M with
a complete coolant
flush and refill.
If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add
anything
else.

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

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

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