1995 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE cooling

Air Conditioner
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will automatically condition the air when you press RECIRC (the A/C indicator light will glow),
DEFOG or DEF (the A/C indicator light will not glow).
Press A/C (the
A/C indicator light will glow) to condition
the air when you press UPPER, BI-LEV or
LOWER. To
turn off the air conditioner compressor
in these settings,
press A/C again (the indicator light will go off).
Each time
you turn on the ignition, the air conditioner
will default
to the setting you had selected before last
turning off the ignition.
When the air conditioner compressor is
on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine
performance and power. This
is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while
it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air,
so
you may sometimes notice water dripping from under
your vehicle when it is idling or after it has been turned
off. This is normal.
On very hot days,
your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows long
enough
to let hot, inside air escape. For all settings, adjust
the temperature control lever and fan speed as desired.
Directional Controls
RECIRC: Press to get maximum cooling or quick
cool-down
on very hot days. This setting recirculates
much of the air inside your vehicle. It should not be
used for long periods
of time because the air may
become too cold and dry.
Slide the temperature control lever down to the coolest
setting and adjust the fan speed as desired.
UPPER: For normal cooling on hot days, press A/C
along with UPPER. This setting cools outside air and
directs it through the instrument panel outlets. Adjust
the temperature of the air with the temperature control
lever.
BI-LEV: This setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may
not be warm enough.
The BI-LEV setting directs outside air into your vehicle
in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your upper
body through the front instrument panel outlets, while
warmed air is directed through the heater ducts at your
feet. At times this temperature difference may be more
apparent than others. For best results, slide the
temperature control lever to the middle position, and
then adjust for comfort.
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could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to
do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer whe
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load. els.
Parking on Hills
You really should
not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK
(P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is cl
ear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that
all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get
a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign
of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving --
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) or THIRD (D) for
automatic transaxles.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the
warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Cooling System
3.1L V6: Cooling System
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3800 V6: Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see: If
the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan (or fans if you have the 3800 V6
engine).
3.1L V6: Recovery Tank Level
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3800 V6: Recovery Tank Level
l I I
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL HOT
mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant
level isn’t at or above the
FULL HOT mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and
a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See
“Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information
about the proper coolant
mix.)
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the
FULL HOT mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system
is
cool before you do it.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops.
(Don't press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
3800 V6: Removing the Pressure Cap
3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base
of the filler neck.
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
HOT mark.
3.1L V6: Removing the Pressure Cap
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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).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 128 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant flush and refill.
If you use
this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
NOTICE:
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.
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