1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA Owners Manual

When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind.
This part
explains what
kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity,
see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
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.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your
own oil, be sure you
use
oil that has the
Starburst symbol on
the front of the oil
container. If you have
your oil changed for
you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil
for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
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RECOMMENOEO SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COUl STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE
011 FOR ME EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANBE.
HOT
WEATHER I "F
+ 100
t 20
:::
-
OI
+3
+i
+l
t4
-7
-1 ,- SAE I 1UW-30
PREFERRED above 0°F 1-18"Q . ~, SAL 5w-30
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GWE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's
going to be colder than
60" F (1 6 O C) before your
next oil change. When it's very cold, you should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show
its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils, such as
SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines "Starburst" symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engirn v~l AUUlLl V GI -.
Don't add anything to your oil. Your Aurora retailer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to
break down sooner. 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 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. (See “Change Oil Message” in the Index.)
If
the CHANGE OIL NOW message appears in the Driver
Information Center, you should change your oil.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever occurs first. Driving a vehicle
with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
(See “Change Oil Message” in the Index.) Always reset
the engine oil life
to 100% after every oil change.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Air Cleaner
To Check or Replace the Air Filter:
1. Remove hose from resonator channel.
2. Release tension of the wing screw clamp on the air
intake duct where
it attaches to the air cleaner cover
near the top
of the engine. Just turn the wing screw
counterclockwise, then detach the duct from the air
cleaner cover.
3. Push the duct and resonator assembly rearward and
up, and hold out
of the way.
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4. There’s a temperature sensor on the corner of the air
cleaner cover. Use a screwdriver to release the
sensor’s electrical connector retainer, and pull up.
A
5. Unsnap the two clamps by pushing down on the top
of the air cleaner cover and pushing in on the clamps
toward the center
of the cover. Then remove the cover.
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6. Remove the air filter.
7. Install the new air filter and reverse all steps to
reinstall the cover, electrical wires, duct and clamp.
Be sure the tabs
of the air cleaner cover fit into the
slots of the air cleaner housing. Then make sure both
clamps are fully engaged.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace
the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
I
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires,
you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when
you’re driving.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Aurora 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.
I 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.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if
you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 " C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200" F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK
(P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK
(P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. Pull out the
dipstick and wipe
it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
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