1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme oil change

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause
the light
to turn on.
If you experience
this condition, change the fuel brand
you use.
It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel to turn the light
off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your retailer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Warning Light c
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through your engine
quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine could
be low on oil or could have some other oil problem.
Have it fixed right away.
2-53

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENBlWE OILS ,
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT WE LOWEST
SM, WSCOSIlV GRADE OU FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANE.
HOT
WEATHER
'low
FOR THIS
SYlVlsOL
"C '
+a
+ 21
+ 16
+4
-7
- 18
COLD
sAE5w-30
above 0°F (-18%)
SAE 10W-M
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, .if you have the 3.4L engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your, vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be cqlder than 60°F
(1 6' 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, s,uch as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the. American Petroleum
Institute Ceptified
For GasoIine Engines-
"Starburst" symbo1: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.
6-14

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anytkng to your oil. Your Oldsmobile retailer 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:
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. 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.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
e€ements 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.
6-15

I
Operating the.engine wi4.h the air cleaner oi’fcan
cause you or .others to be burned. The
air cleaner
not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires. Hit 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 backfii 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.
-1 -. .. ..
Automatk Transaxle’ Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automaticdransaxle fiui,d
level is when the engine
oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and. filter ,every
30,000 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.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in :taxi, polide 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.
I

NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use
this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
1 CAUTION:
- -
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
6-21

Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement .... 7 quarts (6.7 L)
After Complete Overhaul ....... 10 quarts (9.5 L)
When draining transaxle convertel; more and/or less
converter fluid may be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.1L (Code M) ............ 11.6 quarts (10.93 L)
3.4L (Code X) ............. 12.3 quarts (11.65 L)
Refrigerant (R- I34a),
Air Conditioning*
............. 2.0 pounds (0.91 kg)
Engine Specifications
Type .................................
Displacement ..........................
Compression Ratio .....................
Firingorder ..........................
Thermostat Temperature .................
Valve Arrangement .....................
Horsepower ...........................
Engine Crankcase -- Oil and Filter Change
3.1L L82 (Code M) ........... 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
3.4L LQ1
(Code X) ........... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Fuel Tank ................. 17.1 gallons (64.7 L)
*See “Air Conditioning Refrigerants” later in this section.
3.1L (Code M)
V6
191 CID (3.1L)
9.6: 1
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91°C)
In-Head
160 @ 5200
3.4L (Code X)
V6
207
CID (3.4L)
9.25: 1
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91 “C)
In-Head
215 @ 5200
6-69

.Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery .service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule ifyou
operate your vehicle under any
of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine oil to break down soonez
Short TriplCity Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles
(20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if 'driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every '50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles
(25 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection (3.4L Code
X engine only);
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark.Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete rnainten.ance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4

Maintenance Schedule
1 Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions
from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is
true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slowez
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) -- Then ,Every
15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
SerVice (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) -- Then Every
15,000
Miles (25 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection
(3.4L Code X engine only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-5