1994 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These
fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything
to the fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right kind
of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87.
If the octane is less than 87, you may
get
a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If it‘s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating
or driving up a hill. That’s normal, and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane
fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means you have a
problem.
What about gasoline with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or
alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that
is no more than 15% MTBE is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5%
methanol is bad for your vehicle.
Don’t use it. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage wouldn’t be covered
under your warranty. And even at
5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion
preventers in this fuel to help avoid
these problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit
control additives will help prevent
deposits from forming in your engine
and fuel system. That helps keep your
engine in tune and your emission
control system working properly. It’s
good for your vehicle, and you’ll be
doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors
recommends that you use gasolines
with these blending materials, such as
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Service &Appearance Care
184
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you
can help clean the air, especially in
those parts
of the country that have
high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed
to reduce vehicle emissions. General
Motors recommends that you use
reformulated gasoline. By doing
so, you
can help clean the air, especially in
those parts
of the country that have
high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
operators if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and
oxygenates, and if they have been
reformulated to reduce vehicle
emissions.
Fuels in Forei’ Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the
U.S. or Canada,
unleaded
fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even
one tankful, your emission controls
won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get
fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine
oil can deteriorate
quicltly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged.
All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an
auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following
address for advice. Just tell
us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas
Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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Filling Your Tank
Fuel Capacity: 20 U.S. Gallons (76 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 (countercloclnvise)
.
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 a clicking
noise.
NOTICE:
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.
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Service & Appeurunce Care
186
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
pull up on the hood release.
Lift the hood.
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The hood prop rod may be hot due to
increased engine temperatures under the hood,
so be careful when handling
it. Use your hood prop sleeve when
handling the prop.
Pull forward on the hood prop to
release it from its storage clip. Then put
the end of the hood prop into the slot in
the underside of the hood. Before closing
the hood, be sure all the
filter caps are on properly. Then lift the
hood to relieve pressure
on the hood
prop. Remove the hood prop from the
slot in the hood and return the prop to
its retainer. Then just let the hood down
and close
it firmly.
3
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Service &Appearance Care
3100 V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Air Cleaner
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoi
6. Battery r
7. Automatic
Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Oil Fill Cap
10. Radiator Cap
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P
3800 V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Air Cleaner
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Oil Fill Cap
10. Radiator Cap
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Service &Appearance Care
190
Underhood Light
Your underhood light will go on when
you open the hood.
Engine Oil
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 oil 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 back
in all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower, and check the level.
3100 V6: Checking Engine Oil
3800 V6: Checking Engine Oil
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