
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transaxle fluid
to use. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level into
the cross-hatched area
on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel: add
enough fluid at the dipstick hole to
bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less
than a pint
(OSL). Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRONo-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made
especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRONo-I11 or DEXRONB-IIE is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to
Check.
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
3100 V6: Adding Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
3800 V6: Adding Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is
low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, 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 against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
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.
(-37°C).
( 12SoC).
temperature. should.
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Service &Appearance Cure
NOTICE:
198
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
COLD, or a little
higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
FULL HOT, or a
little higher.
3100 V6: Checking Coolant
3800 V6: Checking Coolant
ProCarManuals.com

To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
mix
at the coolant recovery tank.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank,
but be careful not to spill it.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105
kPa) pressure-type cap and must be
tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the
arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler
neck.
When you replace your radiator
pressure cap, an AC8 cap is
recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat in the engine
coolant system. The thermostat stops
the flow of coolant through the radiator
until the coolant reaches a preset
temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering
Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
H (Hot)
mark.
When the engine compartment is
cool, the level should be at the
C
(Cold) mark.
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Injector 3365 Fuse
(3800 V6 ENGINE ONLY)
This 20-amp fuse is located underhood,
on a bracket just behind the passenger
side headlight. It is mounted on the face
of the bracket in the position closest to
the passenger side of the vehicle. The
fuse services the injectors, fuel pump,
oil pressure sender and fuel pump
switch.
To access the fuse, pry back the latch
with a screwdriver, then pull down on
the base
of the unit. If you need to
replace the fuse, be sure to use a 20-
amp fuse.
Push the base of the unit firmly up into
the cover until the latch snaps into the
locked position.
Headlight Wiring
The headlight wiring is protected by a
circuit breaker in the light switch. An
electrical overload will cause the lights
to go on and off: or
in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have your
headlight system checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is
protected by a circuit breaker and a
fuse.
If the motor overheats due to
heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop
until the motor cools.
If the overload is
caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers in the circuit
breakerhelay panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories.
When the current load is too heavy, the
circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed.
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Drunken Driving .............................. 132
Electric Outside Mirror Control
...... 87
Electrical Equipment.
Adding
............................. 60. 117. 219
Electronic Level Control
............ 94. 206
Emergencies. Braking in
.................. 138
Emergencies on the Road
................ 157
Emergencies. Steering in
.................. 139
Emergency Starting
.......................... 158
Emergency Towing ........................... 162
Engine Coolant
................ 197, 224, 227
Engine Coolant Heater
....................... 61
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gage
............................................... 103
Engine Exhaust
............ 57. 68, 150, 154
Engine Identification
........................ 218
Engine Oil
......................................... 190
Additives
........................................ 193
Checking
& Adding ............... 190. 191
Disposing of Used Oil
................... 194
Energy Conserving
......................... 193
Pressure Gage
................................ 102
Pressure Indicator
......................... 101
Warning
.......................................... 193
When to Change
............................ 193
Engine Overheating
......................... 165
Engine Specifications
....................... 226
Engine. Starting
.................................. 58
Ethanol in Gasoline .......................... 183
Exhaust
Dangerous Gas
Parking with the Engine
in
............................. 57.
68. 150. 154
Running
................................... 67. 68
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety
Belts
................................................. 30
Expressway Driving
......................... 145
Extender. Safety Belt
......................... 41
Exterior Appearance
Fabric Cleaning
Fan Warnings
............ 159. 160. 167. 187
Filling the Fuel Tank ................ 185. 272
Filter Air Cleaner
............................ 194. 226
Oil
.......................................... 193. 226
Finish Care
....................................... 216
Flat Tire
............................................ 172
Flooded Engine
................................... 59
Fluid (see
Appearance
Care )
(see Appearance Care )
Flashers. Hazard Warning ............... 158
Flow-Through Ventilation
............... 116
Brake
...................................... 200. 227
Capacities
....................................... 224
Power Steering
.............. 199. 225. 227
Transaxle
....................... 195. 224. 227
Windshield Washer
................ 200. 227 Fluids
& Lubricants ......................... 227
Fog Lights
............................................ 76
Freeway Driving
............................... 145
Fuel
................................................... 183
Alcohol in Fuel
.............................. 183
Capacity
......................................... 185
Exhaust Warnings ..... 57. 68. 150. 154
Filling
Your Tank .......................... 185
Fuels with Alcohol
......................... 183
Gage
............................................... 100
In Foreign Countries ..................... 184
Low. Warning
................................ 101
Methanol in Fuel
........................... 183
Requirements ................................. 183
Fuse Panel and Usage .............. 220. 221
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ................. 219
Anti-Lock Brakes Fuse
.................. 222
Injector Fuse
.................................. 223
Gages Coolant Temperature
.................... 103
Fuel
................................................ 100
Oil Pressure ................................... 102
Oil Pressure Indicator
................... 101
Tachometer
...................................... 99
Voltmeter
....................................... 103
Garage Door Opener Compartment
.. 80
Gasoline
............................................ 183
Gasoline Tank, Filling Your
............ 185
Gas Station Information .................. 272 265
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266
Gate Ajar Light ................................ 107
Gear Positions
Gearshift Lever
Glove Boxes/Storage (see
Shifting the Transaxle )
(see Shifting the Transaxle)
Compartment 88
alogen Bulbs ............................... 203
...................................
H
Hazard
Warning Flashers ................ 158
Replacing
....................................... 203
Headlights
.......................................... 74
Headlight
& Taillight. Removing
and
High-Low Beam Changer
.................. 75
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
.. 76
On” Reminder
................................ 75
Replacement Bulb
.......................... 228
Wiring
............................................ 223
Head Restraint
................................... 14
Heater (see
Comfort Controls)
High Beams ........................................ 75
Hill and Mountain Roads
................ 147
Hood Release
................................... 186
LL
Operation ......................................... 75
“Highway Hypnosis”
....................... 146
Hills. Parking on
.............................. 156
Safety Warning
.............................. 187
Warning. Overheated
Engine
.......................... 187. 198. 199
Horn .................................................... 69 Hot
Engine. Safety
Warnings
............. 166. 187. 198. 199
Hydroplaning
.................................... 144
Identification Number. Vehicle
...... 21 8
Idling Your Engine ....................... 67. 68
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud.
Ice or Snow
.................................... 179
Ignition Key
................................................... 44
Positions
.......................................... 58
Illuminated Entry System
.................. 50
Indicator Lights (see Warning Lights)
Infant Restraint (see Child Restraints)
Inflation. Tire ........................... 178. 208
Inflator.
Air ......................................... 85
Inside Rearview Mirror
...................... 86
Instrument Panel
................................ 97
Instrument Panel Cluster
................... 98
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
.. 76
Instrument Panel Warning Lights
... 100
Interior Lights
........................ 76, 79. 80
Override Switch
83 ...............................
J- ack, Tire ......................................... 172
Jump Starting
................................... 158
Keyless Entry, Remote
..................... 48
Keys
.................................................... 44
L ane Change Indicator .................... 71
Front
................................................ 23
Rear
.................................................. 32
Use by Children ......................... 34, 39
Level Control, Electronic
............ 94, 206
Liftgate
....................................... 56, 107
Lighter
................................................ 89
Lights Dome
................................................. 84
Fog
................................................... 76
Headlights
........................................ 74
Interior Lights Control
.................... 76
Interior Lights Override Switch
...... 83
On” Reminder
................................ 75
Reading
...................................... 80, 83
Removing &
Lap-Shoulder Belt .............................. 23
(6
Rear Interior Lights ......................... 84
Replacement Bulbs
........................ 228
Replacing Bulbs
................... 204, 228
Taillights
........................................ 204
Turn Signal
...................................... 71
Underhood
..................................... 190
Warning Lights
.............................. 100
Lights On Reminder
........................... 75
Loading Your Vehicle
................ 92, 206
Locks Manual
....................................... 45, 52
Power ............................................... 46
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Remote Control ................................ 48 .. Sliding Door ..................................... 52
Long Distance Driving
..................... 146
Low Battery
...................................... 158
Low Fuel Warning ............................ 101
Low Oil Pressure Warning
............... 102
Low Traction Light
........................... 105
Lubricants and Fluids ...................... 227
Luggage Carrier
.................................. 92
Maintenance Record
..................... 246
Maintenance Schedule
..................... 234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........... 106
Manual Front Seat
............................. 12
Manual Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt
..... 23
Methanol in Gasoline
....................... 183
Mileage Indicator
Mirrors (see
Odometer G. Speedometer)
Inside
Manual Day/Night ............... 86
Outside Convex
............................... 87
Power Remote Control
.................... 87
Mountain Driving
............................ 147
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Night Driving
................................... 142
Night Vision
..................................... 142
Visor Vanity
..................................... 88
Requirements ........................... 57.
152 Octane
Requirements
(see
Fuel Requirements)
Odometer & Speedometer ................. 99
Oil. Engine
........................................ 190
Pressure Gage
................................ 102
Pressure Indicator
......................... 101
Quality
........................................... 19 1
Thickness ....................................... 192
Used Oil
......................................... 194
When to Change
............................ 193
Oil Warning
...................................... 101
Outside Rearview Mirrors ................. 87
Overhead Console
........................ 79. 95
Overheated Engine
........................... 165
Warnings ................ 166. 187. 198. 199
Owner Checks
& Services ............... 240
Rrk. Shifting Into
............................. 66
Parking Over Things That Burn
................... 67
Parking Brake
..................................... 65
Passenger Belts (see
Safety Belts)
Passing .............................................. 140
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.. 243
Polishing and Waxing
With
the Engine Running
........... 67. 68
Payload
............................................. 206
(see
Appearance Care )
Power (Anti-Lock) Brakes ............... 135 Power
Door Locks
............................. 46
Power Mirrors
.................................... 87
Power Outlet. Accessory
.................... 84
Power Seat Controls
.......................... 13
Power Sliding Door .................... 52. 107
Power Steering
................................. 138
Power Steering Fluid ....... 199.225. 227
Power Windows
......................... 70. 223
During
.............................................. 30
Problems on the Road
...................... 157
Publications
...................................... 254
Pregnancy.
Use
of Safety Belts
Radiator Overheating
(see
Overheated Engine )
Radiator Pressure Cap ..................... 199
Radio (see
Audio Systems)
Reading Lights .................................... 80
Rear Climate Control
....................... 113
Rear Interior Lights ............................ 84
Rear Seats
........................................... 15
Removing ......................................... 16
Replacing
......................................... 18
Third Row Entry .............................. 15
Rear Window Defogger .................... 115
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
...... 79
Rearview Mirror
................................. 86
Reclining Seatbaclts
........................... 13
.. Ad~ustmg .......................................... 17
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