
As shown in  the  chart,  SAE  5W-30  is 
best  for your vehicle. However,  you can 
use  SAE  1OW-30  if  it’s going 
to be 0°F 
(-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 “SHKD,” 
“SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,”  etc.  These 
letters  show American Petroleum 
Institute  (API)  levels of quality. 
SAE 1OW-30 (3800 engine) 
SAE 5W-30 (3100  engine) 
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.  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 ltm). 
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 ltm) or 3 
months - whichever comes  first. 
If  none 
of them  is true,  change  the oil 
every 
7,500 miles  (12 500 ltm) 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) 
An engine coolant  heater  can be a big 
help  if you have  to park  outside  in very 
cold  weather, 
0°F (-18°C)  or colder.  If 
your vehicle  has  this  option,  see 
Engine 
Coolant Heater in the Index. 193 
ProCarManuals.com 

6. Transaxle  Service - Change both 
the  fluid  and filter  every 
15,000 miles 
(25 000 ltm) if the vehicle  is mainly 
driven  under  one  or more of these 
conditions: 
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. 
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 ltm) . 
7. Spark  Plug Replacement::' - 
Replace  spark plugs with the proper 
type. See 
Replacement  Parts in the 
Index. 
8. Spark  Plug  Wire  Inspection''- 
Inspect for  burns,  cracks  or other 
damage. Check  the  boot fit at the 
distributor  or coils  and at  the  spark 
plugs.  Replace  wires 
as needed. 
9. Exhaust  Gas  Recirculation  (EGR) 
System  1nspection':t 
- Conduct 
the 
EGR system service  as described 
in  the  service  manual. 
To purchase  a 
service  manual,  see 
Service 
Publications 
in  the Index. 
IO. Air  Cleaner  Filter  Replacement+- 
Replace  every  30,000 miles 
(50 000 ltm) or more often  under 
dusty  conditions. 
Ask your dealer 
for  the  proper  replacement  intervals 
for  your driving  conditions. 
11. Air Cleaner  Inspection''? - Inspect 
all  hoses  and  ducts  for  proper 
hookup.  Make sure  the  valve works 
properly. 
1nspection';:t - Inspect  fuel tank, 
cap  and  lines  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. 
12. Fuel  Tank,  Cap  and  Lines 
13. Engine  Timing  and  Distributor 
Check 
(3100 Code D engine 
only)'xt 
- Adjust  the timing  to  the 
underhood  label specifications. 
Inspect  the inside  and  outside 
of the 
distributor  cap  and  rotor  for cracks, 
carbon  tracking  and  corrosion. 
Clean  or replace  as needed. 
NOTE: To determine  your engine's 
displacement  and  code, see 
Engine 
Identification 
in  the Index. 
': = An  Enzission  Control Service. 
t = The U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency 
or the  California  Air Resources  Boa1.d has 
determined  that  the  failure 
to pelform  this 
maintenance  item  will 
not nullify the 
emission  warranty 
or limit recall  liability 
prior 
to fhe  completion of ~~ehicle  useful  life. 
General 
Motors: however,  urges that all 
recornmended  maintenance services be 
performed  at the  indicated  intervals and  the 
maintenance  be  recorded 
in "Section E: 
Maintenance Record." 
239 
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 
ProCarManuals.com