
2.3L Quad 4: Adding  Engine  Oil 3100 V6: Adding  Engine  Oil 
6-12  

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  1evel.It  doesn’t 
take  much  fluid,  generally less than  a pint 
(0.5L). 
Don’t overfill. We  recommend  you use only fluid 
labeled  DEXRON@-111,  because  fluid with that  label 
is  made  especially  for  your  automatic  transaxle. 
Damage  caused  by fluid  other  than DEXRON@-I11 
is  not  covered  by your  new vehicle  warranty. 
After  adding  fluid,  recheck  the fluid  level  as 
described  under “How  to  Check.” 
When  the correct  fluid  level  is  obtained,  push  the 
dipstick  back  in all the  way. 
Manual  Transaxle  Fluid 
When to Check 
A good time to have it checked is when the  engine oil is 
changed.  However, the fluid in  your manual  transaxle 
doesn’t  require  changing. 
How to Check 
Because  this operation  can be a  little  difficult,  you  may 
choose  to  have this  done  at your Oldsmobile  retailer 
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  parts,  starting  a  fire.  Be  sure  to 
get  an  accurate  reading  if  you  check  your 
transaxle  fluid. 
6-19  

Hydraulic  Clutch 
The hydraulic  clutch  linkage  in your  vehicle  is 
self-adjusting.  The clutch  master  cylinder  reservoir 
is 
filled  with  hydraulic  clutch  fluid. 
It isn’t  a  good  idea to “top  off’ your  clutch  fluid.  Adding 
fluid  won’t  correct 
a leak. 
A  fluid  loss  in  this  system  could  indicate a problem. 
Have  the  system  inspected and  repaired. 
When to Check  and  What to Use 
Refer to the Maintenance 
Schedule  to determine  how 
often  you should  check the 
fluid  level  in  your clutch 
master  cylinder  reservoir 
and  for the  proper  fluid.  See 
“Owner  Checks  and 
Services”  and 
“Recommended  Fluids  and 
Lubricants”  in the  Index. 
How to Check 
If  you can see fluid  in  the reservoir, the level is 
acceptable. 
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: 
0 Give  freezing protection  down to -34°F (-37°C). 
Give  boiling protection up to 262°F ( 128 O C). 
0 Protect  against  rust and  corrosion. 
0 Help  keep  the  proper  engine  temperature. 
0 Let  the  warning lights work as they should. 
6-21  

I Section 9 Index 
Adding Automatic  Transaxle  Fluid 
..................... 6- 19 
Brake  Fluid ................................. 6-26 
Electrical  Ecluipt-nent 
............ 2- 16 . I7 . 3- I5 . 6-50 
Engine  Coolant 
......................... 5- 15. 6-23 
Engine  Oil 
.................................. 6- 12 
Hycitwlic  Clutch  Fluid ........................ 6-2 1 
Manual Transaxle  Fluid ....................... 6-20 
Power  Steering  Fluid 
......................... 6-24 
Sound  Equipment 
............................ 3- IS 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid ................. 2-39 . 6-25 
How Does it Restrain ......................... 1-22 
How it Works ............................... 1-21 
Location ................................... 1-2 1 
Readiness Light ........................ 1-20 . 2-60 
Servicing 
................................... 1-24 
What  Makes 
it Inflate  .........................  1-22 
What  Will You See  After 
it Inflates .............. 1-23 
When  Should 
it Inl'late ........................ 1-22 
Air  Cleaner .................................... 6- I6 
Air  Conditioning ................................ 3-3 
Aluminum  Wheels.  Cleaning ...................... 6-47 
Antenna.  Fixed  Mast 
............................ 3- 17 
Antenna.  Rear  Window  Defogger .................. 3- I7 
Air Bag 
Alignment  and  Balance . Tires ..................... 6-39 Antifreeze 
..................................... 6-21 
Adding 
............................... 5- 15.6-23 
Checking 
................................... 6- 23 
Anti-Lock 
..................................... 4-6 
Anti-Lock  Brake System  Warning  Light ......... 2-63. 4-6 
Anti-Lock  Brakes ............................... 4-6 
Appearance 
Care and  Materials .................... 6-49 
Ashtray  and  Lighler 
............................. 2-51 
Audio  Systems 
.................................. 3-5 
Auto Down Window ............................ 2-32 
Automatic  Door  Locks 
............................ 2-4 
Automatic  Overdrive  Position 
. Automatic  Transaxle ... 2-21 
Automatic  Transaxle ............................ 2- 19 
Automatic  Transaxle . Automatic  Overdrive  Position . 2-2 I 
Automatic  Transaxle  Chart ..................... 6-54 
Drive (D) Position ............................ 2-21 
First  Gear ( 1 ) Position ........................ - 3-22 
Neutral (N) Position .......................... 2-20 
Park 
(P) Position ............................. 2- 19 
Reverse (R) Position .......................... 2-20 
Second 
Gear (2) Position ...................... 2-21 
Shifting 
.............................. 2-  19.27. 29 
Starting  Your Engine .......................... 2- IS 
Third Gear (3) Position ........................ 2-21 
AppeariInce 
Ci1t.e 
............................... 6-11 
Armrest . Storage ............................... I 3 -49 
Ashtray . Rear .................................. 2-52 
9-1  

Automatic Transaxle Fluid ........................ 6- 17 
Adding 
.................................... 6-19 
Checking 
................................... 6-17 
Battery  Charge Light 
................................ 2-60 
Low  Maintenance 
............................ 6-28 
Replacement. Remote Lock Control 
............... 2-8 
Replacement.  Vehicle 
......................... 6-28 
Rundown  Protection 
.......................... 2-46 
Voltmeter 
................................... 2-61 
Warnings 
.................................... 5-2 
BBB Auto Line 
................................. 8-3 
Blizzard 
...................................... 4-25 
Brake  Anti-Lock 
................................... 4-6 
Adjustment 
................................. 6-28 
Fluid, Adding 
............................... 6-26 
Master  Cylinder 
............................. 6-26 
Parking 
.................................... 2-26 
PedalTravel 
................................ 6-28 
System  Parts. Replacing 
....................... 6-28 
System  Warning  Light 
........................ 2-62 
Trailer 
..................................... 4-35 
Transaxle Shift Interlock 
............... 2-20.29. 7-38 
Wear ...................................... 6-27 
Brakes, Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6 
Brakes, Trailer 
................................. 4-35 
Braking 
........................................ 4-5 
Braking,  In Emergencies 
.......................... 4-8 
Break-In,  New  Vehicle 
.......................... 2-  12 
BTSI  (Brake  Transaxle Shift  Interlock) 
...... 2-20.29. 7-38 
Bulb Replacement 
FogLamp 
.................................. 6-32 
Headlamps 
................................. 6-30 
Replacement Bulb  Ch,art 
....................... 6-56 
Taillamps 
................................... 6-31 
Canada.  Vehicles First Sold 
In .............. 1 . 12.  25. 39 
Canadian  Roadside Assistance 
...................... 8-6 
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-54 
Carbon Monoxide 
...................... 2-30.4-26.  34 
Cassette  Tape Player Care 
........................ 3-16 
CDErrors 
..................................... 3-11 
CDPlayer ..................................... 3-10 
CD Player Anti-Theft  Feature 
..................... 3-13 
Center Passenger Position 
........................ 1-31 
Certification/Tlre  Label 
.......................... 4-29 
Chains.  Safety 
................................. 4-35 
Chains. Tire 
................................... 6-41 
Changing  a Flat Tire 
............................. 5-20 
Chargmg System Light 
.......................... 2-60 
Check Gages  Warning  Light ...................... 2-66 
Check  Oil Light 
................................ 2-68 
Checking  Your Restraint Systems 
.................. 1-47 
Checking  Automatic Transaxle Fluid 
..................... 6-17 
BrakeFluid 
................................. 6-26 
BTSI 
...................................... 7-38 
Engine Coolant .............................. 6-21 
Engineoil 
.................................. 6-11 
Hydraulic  Clutch  Fluid 
........................ 6-21 
Manual  Transaxle  Fluid 
....................... 6-19 
9-2  

Damage. Finish ............................... 6-48 
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-48 
Daytime Running Lamps 
......................... 2-44 
Dead  Battery 
................................... 5-2 
Defects. Reporting ............................... 8-4 
Defensive  Driving 
................................ 4- I 
Defogger.  Rear W~ndow .......................... 3-4 
Defogging 
..................................... 3-2 
Defrosting 
..................................... 3-2 
Locks 
...................................... 2-3 
Locks.  Power 
................................ 2-4 
Driver  Position 
................................. 1 - I2 
Driving On Grades . With a Trailer .................. 4-37 
Driving 
Door 
AtNight ................................... 4-13 
City 
....................................... 4-17 
Defensive 
................................... 4- I 
Drunken .................................... 4- 2. 
Freeway .................................... 4-18 
In a Blizzard ................................ 4-25 
In Foreign  Countries ........................... 6-4 
In the  Rain .................................. 4- 14 
OnCurves ................................... 4-8 
On  Hill  and  Mountain  Roads 
................... 4-2 I 
On  Snow  and  Ice ............................. 4-23 
Through  Deep Standing  Water 
.................. 2- I7 
Winter ..................................... 4-22 
With 
a Tsailer ............................... 4-35 
Drunken  Driving 
................................ 4-2 
Easy-Entry  Seat ................................ 
Elect;-ical Eyuipment.  Adding ........... 2- 16. 3- IS. 6-50 
Adding 
............................... 5- 1 2. 6-23 
Checkmg 
................................... 6-23 
Heater 
................................ 2- 17. 6- 15 
Low  Coolant  Level  Warning  Light ............... 2-65 
Temperature 
Gage ............................ 2-64 
Temperature  Warning  Light 
.................... 2-64 
Cooling  System 
.............................. 6-54 
Exhallst 
.................................... 2-30 
Identification 
................................ 6-50 
Lubrication System  Chart 
...................... 6-54 
Overheating 
................................. 5-12 
Specifications 
............................... 6-57 
Starting 
................................. 2-15. 16 
2.3 L ............................ 2- IS. 6-9.54. 57 
3.1 L ........................... 2-16.6-10,54,57 
Engineoil .................................... 6-11 
Adding .................................... 6-12 
Additives ................................... 6-14 
Checking 
................................... 6-11 
Warning  Light ............................ 2-67.  68 
What  Kind  to 
Use ............................ 6-13 
What  to  do 
with Used  Oil ...................... 6-15 
When 
to Change ............................. 6-15 
Ethanol (In Fuel) ................................ 6-3 
Exhaust . Engine ................................ 2-30 
Engine Coolant 
c 
Engine 
Running 
it While  You’re  Parked ................. 2-31 
9-4  

Hook. Garment ................................. 2-51 
Hydraulic Clutch 
............................... 6-21 
Adding 
.................................... 6-2 1 
Hydroplaning ................................... 4-  16 
Horn 
......................................... 2-33 
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid  Checking 
................................... 6-21 
If  You’re  Stuck: In Sand.  Mud. Ice or Snow 
......... 5-28 
Ignition  Key Positions 
........................... 2- 13 
Ignition Switch 
................................. 2-  13 
Illuminated  Entry System 
.......................... 2-5 
Inside  Daymight  Rearview Mirror 
................. 2-47 
Exhaust Systems 
............................. 7-40 
Restraint Systems 
............................ 7-40 
Throttle Linkage 
............................. 7-40 
Instrument Panel 
............................... 2-54 
Inspections 
Brakesystem 
............................... 7-40 
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive  Axle  Bootandseal 
.............................. 7-40 
Instrument Panel Cluster  Gage 
....................................... 2-57 
.Standard 
................................... 2-56 
Instrument Panel Intensity Control ................. 2-43 
Instrument Panel, Cleaning 
....................... 6-44 
J ack.  Tire .................................... 5-20 
Jump Starting ................................... 5-2  Key 
Lock Cylinders 
............................ 7-37 
Key  Release Button 
............................. 2-14 
Key  Reminder  Warning 
.......................... 2-13 
Keys 
.......................................... 2-1 
Lamp  Controls 
................................ 2-35 
Lamp, Underhood 
.............................. 6-11 
Lamps, Daytime Running 
........................ 2-44 
Lamps  On Reminder 
............................ 2-36 
Lane Change Indicator 
........................... 2-34 
Larger Children, Safety Belt Use 
................... 1-44 
Latches, Front Seatback 
........................... 1-5 
Leaving  Your  Vehicle 
............................. 2-4 
Leaving  Your  Vehicle  With  the Engine Running 
....... 2-28 
Air  Bag  Readiness 
...................... 1-20, 2-60 
Anti-Lock  Brake System  Warning 
........... 2-63,  4-6 
Brake System  Warning 
........................ 2-62 
Charging System 
............................. 2-60 
Engine Coolant Temperature  Warning 
............ 2-64 
EngineOil 
.................................. 2-67 
Engine Oil Pressure 
.......................... 2-67 
Low  Coolant Level 
........................... 2-65 
Low  Washer  Fluid Warning 
.................... 2-70 
Safety  Belt  Warning 
...................... 1-7, 2-59 
Up  Shift  (Manual  Transaxle) 
.............. 2-24, 2-61 
LampTrunk 
................................... 2-46 
Lamps, Fog 
................................... 2-44 
Lights  CheckGages 
................................ 2-66 
CheckOil 
.................................. 2-68 
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine  Soon) 
. 2-65 
9-6  

Odometer. Tamper  Resistant ..................... 2-58 
Odometer.  Trip 
................................. 2-58 
Off-Road  Recovery 
............................. 4-  10 
Check  Oil  Warning  Light 
...................... 2-68 
Engine 
..................................... 6-11 
Pressure  Gage 
............................... 2-66 
WamingLight 
............................... 2-67 
OwnerPublications 
............................ 8-7 
Service  Bulletins 
.............................. 8-7 
Service  Manuals 
.............................. 8-7 
Overdrive  Position,  Automatic  Transaxle 
............ 2-21 
Overheated  Engine 
.............................. 5-12 
Owner  Checks  and  Services 
....................... 7-36 
Owner  Publications,  Ordering 
...................... 8-7 
Oil 
Ordering 
i Paint  Spotting.  Chemical ........................ 6-48 
Park  (P).  Shifting  Into 
........................... 2-27 
Park  (P).  Shifting  Out  of 
......................... 2-29 
Park  (P)  Position.  Automatic  Transaxle 
.............. 2-19 
Parking  AtNight 
................................... 2-12 
On  Hills  While  Towing  a  Trailer 
................ 4-37 
Lots 
....................................... 2-12 
Over  Things  That  Burn 
........................ 2-30 
Your Vehicle.  Manual  Transaxle ................. 2-29 
ParkingBrake 
.................................. 2-26 
Parking  Brake  Release 
........................... 2-26 
Periodic  Maintenance  Inspections 
.................. 7-40 
Passing ....................................... 4-10 
PowerDoorLocks 
............................... 2-4  Power  Remote  Control  Mirrors 
.................... 2-48 
Power  Steering 
.................................. 4-8 
Checking 
................................... 6-24 
Power  Windows 
................................ 2-32 
Pregnancy,  Use  of Safety  Belts 
.................... 1-25 
Problems  on  the  Road 
............................ 5-1 
Publications,  Service  and  Owner 
.................... 8-7 
PowerSeat 
..................................... 1-3 
Power  Steering  Fluid  Adding 
.................................... 6-24 
Radio  Reception.  Understanding 
.................. 3-14 
Radios  A"Stere0 
............................... 3-6 
A" Stereo  Radio  with  Compact  Disc  Player ... 3-10 
A" Stereo  Radio  with  Cassette  Tape  Player ..... 3-8 
Rain.  Driving  In 
................................ 4-14 
Reading  Lamps  Front 
...................................2-45, 46 
Rear 
....................................... 2-46 
Rear  Door  Security  Locks ......................... 2-5 
Rear  Safety  Belt  Comfort  Guides 
.................. 1-29 
Rear  Seat  Cup  Holder 
........................... 2-50 
Rear  Seat Outside  Position 
........................ 1-26 
Rear  Seat  Passengers 
............................ 1-26 
RearTowing 
................................... 5-11 
Rear  Window  Defogger 
........................... 3-4 
Rear  Window  Defogger  Antenna 
................... 3-17 
Rearview  Mirror,  Inside  Day/  Night 
................ 2-47 
Reclining  Front  Seatbacks 
.......................... 1-3 
Recommended  Fluids  and  Lubricants ............ 7-41,  42 
9-8