
When to Add Oil 
If the  oil  is at or below  the ADD  mark, 
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: 
3100 V6:  Adding  Engine  Oil What Kind of Oil to Use 
3eginning  midyear 1993, oils of the 
)roper  quality for your  vehicle  will be 
dentified  with  this  new “starburst” 
iymbol.  The  “starburst”  symbol 
ndicates  that  the oil has  been  certified 
)y the American Petroleum  Institute 
IAPI), and is preferred for  use in your 
;asoline engine. 
(ou  should 
look for this  on  the front of 
he oil  container,  and  use  only oils that 
lisplay  this new  symbol. 
(ou  should  also use  the  proper  viscosity 
)il for your vehicle,  as shown  in the 
ollowing  charts. 
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. 
I’ 
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. 
 
3800 V6:  Adding  Engine Oil 
191 
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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. 
197 
ProCarManuals.com 

Service & Appearance  Care 
224 
Capacities  and  Specifications 
Engine  Crankcase (All Models) ......................................... 4 quarts 
When  changing  filter, up to 112 quart (1/2 liter) more  oil  may be needed. 
Use 
your dipstick to measure. 
Automatic Transaxle .......................................................... 
When  draining or replacing  torque  converter,  more  fluid  may be needed. 
Pan  Removal  and Replacement .......................................... 4 quarts 
After  Complete  Overhaul 
.................................................. 7 quarts 
3-Speed: 
4-Speed: 
Pan Removal  and Replacement .......................................... 6 quarts 
After  Complete  Overhaul 
.................................................. 8 quarts 
Cooling  System 
3100 V6 Engine: 
3800 V6  Engine: 
With  Air Conditioning ........................................................ 12.50  quarts 
With Air Conditioning ........................................................ 11.50 quarts 
With  Rear Climate  Control 
................................................ 13 .OO quarts 
3.75 L 
3.80 L 
6.60 L 
5.70 L 
7.60 L 
12.00 L 
10.75 
L 
12.25 L 
NOTE: All  capacities  are approximate. When adding,  be sure  to fill to  the  appropriate  level, as recommended in  this manual. 
ProCarManuals.com 

lndex 
Accessory Power Outlet ................... 84 
Adding  Brake  Fluid 
............................. 201.  227 
Electrical  Equipment 
........ .60. 117 . 2 19 
Engine  Coolant 
.......... 167.197.224.  227 
Engine  Oil 
.............................. 190. 224 
Power  Steering  Fluid 
..... 199.225.  227 
Sound Equipment 
.......................... 11 7 
Transaxle  Fluid 
.............. 195. 224. 227 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
...... 200.  227 
Air  Bag  Readiness  Light 
..................... 27 
Air  Bags 
............................................... 26 
Air  Cleaner 
............................... 194.  226 
Air  Conditioner 
................................ 11 1 
Air Inflator  System ............................. 85 
Alcohol.  Driving  Under  the 
Influence 
of ..................................... 132 
Alcohol  in Gasoline 
.......................... 183 
Aluminum  Wheels .................... 21 1. 216 
Antenna 
............................................ 129 
Anti-Lock 
.......................................... 135 
Anti-Lock  Brake  System 
................... 135 
Brake  Master  Cylinder ................... 201 
Junction  Block Fuse 
...................... 222 
Warning  Light 
................................ 104 
Appearance Care 
.............................. 212 
Adjusting 
Rear Seats 
.......................... 17 
Antifreeze 
......................... 197.  224.  227 
Ashtrays  and Lighter 
.................... 89. 90  Audio 
Systems 
.................................. 117 
AM/FM  Stereo Radio 
.................... 1 19 
AM/FM  Stereo Radio with Compact 
Disc  Player 
..................................... 124 
Care 
of Audio  Systems .................. 128 
Setting  the Clock 
........................... 117 
Steering  Wheel Touch Controls 
.... 127 
Adding  Fluid 
.................. 197. 225. 227 
Checking  Fluid 
............................... 195 
Shifting 
............................................. 62 
Battery 
............................................ 203 
Jump  Starting 
................................. 158 
Battery  Warning  Gage ...................... 103 
Blizzard 
............................................. 149 
Brake  Cassette 
Player 
...................... 120. 122 
Radio  Reception.  For  the Best 
...... 128 
Automatic Transaxle 
(( Blowout. .. Tire ................................ 172 
Adjustment 
.................................... 202 
Anti-Lock  Brakes 
.......................... 135 
Anti-Lock Brake  System  Warning 
Light 
............................................ 104 
Fluid 
....................................... 201. 227 
Parking 
............................................. 65 
Pedal  Travel 
................................... 202 
Rear 
Drums .................................... 202 
Junction 
Block Fuse 
...................... 222 
Master  Cylinder 
............................. 201  Warning  Light 
................................ 103 
Wear  Indicators 
............................. 202 
Brake  System  Warning  Light 
........... 103 
Braking 
............................................. 134 
Braking  in Emergencies 
................... 138 
Braking  Technique 
........................... 134 
“Break.1n. 
.. New  Vehicle ............. 57. 152 
Bucket  Seats. Removable  Rear 
.......... 15 
Buckling  Up  (see 
Safety  Belts) 
Bulb  Replacement 
Headlight 
....................................... 203 
Taillight 
.......................................... 204 
Bulbs,  Replacement 
.......................... 228 
Capacities 
81 Specifications ............ 224 
Carbon  Monoxide  in 
Exhaust 
...................... 57,  68.  150.  154 
Cassette Tape  Player 
(see 
Audio Systems ) 
Center  Passenger  Position 
(see 
Safety  Belts) 
Chains.  Safety ................................... 154 
Chains.  Tire 
.............................. 179, 212 
Changing  a  Flat  Tire 
......................... 172 
Checking 
Brake  Fluid 
.................................... 201 
Engine  Coolant 
.............................. 197 
Engine  Oil ...................................... 190 
Power  Steering  Fluid 
..................... 199 
Safety  Belt  Systems 
......................... 41 
. 
263 
ProCarManuals.com 

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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