1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme heating

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel.
See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index. You
also have a LOW COOLANT light on your instrument
panel.
See “Low Coolant Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you ’
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
~
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-13

j If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything
else until it cools down.
.. - ”r -+
Heater and radiator hoses, and otherengine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fiie,
and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
’
I NOTICE:
The coolant level should be at or above the COLD mark
on a cold engine. The coolant level should be at or
above the HOT mark on a hot engine. 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.
r
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(s) are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan@) should be running; If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-16

How ,to Add Fluid Engine Coolant
I
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
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.
~ kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended ,
1. Pull out the dipstick.
.2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove@ZZ. 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.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
6-20
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain
in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A
50/50 mixture of water and the proper.coolant for
your Oldsmobile will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

this it conies on, it
means you're low
on
engine coolant.
A4&g Coolant
- ..
Jfy& more coolant, add the proper mix at the. I
coolant recovery tank. I.
If the coolant recovery tank is. completely empty, add
,- ,coolant -to the radiator.. (See ,:'Engine Overheating" in-
the Index.) I'
A CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and' scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank,-you
will
almost never have to add doolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiatol' pressure cap
-- even a
little.-- when the engine and radiator
are. hot.
I Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to
spill it.
I A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you,spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot '
enough. Don't s,pill coolant on a hot engme.

' We don't make tires. Your new Oldsmobile comes with
high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer.
If
you ever have questions about your tire warranty and'
where to obtain service, see your ;Oldsmobile Warranty.
booklet for details..
Poorly maintained and,jmpbpe$ly used tires '
..are dangerous..
'0 0verloading.your tires can awe ' I
-. You codd have an aimut and a serious
accident. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in
the Index.
.. , 7' 1.
' Nov&heating as a result oft& much.friction. .. I_
CAUTION: (Continued)
0
0
Underinflated tires pose the.same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check
all .tires '
'frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire press& .should be checked
'.
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by
a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old. tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or
if your tires have
,been damaged, replace them. ,.

I Loading Your Vehicle- ........................... 4-27
Locks .......................................... 2-3
Automatic Door ................................ 2-4
Cylihders ................................... 7-37
DCJDT ......................................... 2-3
Key Lock Cylinder Service ...................... 7-37
POWU Door .................................. 2-3
Steering
. Column Lock Check ................... 7-39
Trunk ....................................... 2-7
Window .................................... 2-25
Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-50
Low Fuel Light .................................. 2-56
LOW Oil Level Light .............................. 2-55
Lubricants and HrJids ............................ 7-41
Lubrication Service,
Body ........................ 7-37
M~EO~S ......................................... 2-36
Convex Outside .............................. 2-37
Inside Day/Night Rearview ...................... 2-36
Power Outside ................................. .. 2-37,
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-40
"I' ......................................... 6-4
Mode Buttons. Automatic and Awriliary Temp Control . . 3-5
Mode
Knob, Climate Control System ................ 3-1
MountainRoads ................................. 4-21
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-26
Net. Convenience .............................. 2-38
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-15
New Vehicle "Break-In" .......................... 2-10
Nightvision ................................... 4-14
Maintenance. Normal Replacement parts
....... .' ... 6-70
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-43
Maintenanceschedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripMghway Definition
................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals
................ 7.5. 7.26
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-36
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-40
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services'
.................. 7-3
Short Trip/Citv Definition
....................... 7-4 Odometer
................
Odometer. Trip .............
Off-Road Recovery .........
Oil. Engine ................
Oil
Waffling Light ..........
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
Overheating Engine .........
Owner Checks and SerVices ...
Owner Publications. Ordering .
.................... 2.44,
.................... 2-44
.................... 4-1Q
.................... 6-10
.................... 2-53
...................... 2-16
.................... 5-13
.................... 7-36
.................... 8-10
Short Tr$CiG Intervals
.................... 7.4. 7.6
Maintenance. Underbody
.. '. ...................... 6-57 Paint spotting. chemical
Maintenance When Trailer Towing 4-35
Park 6-57
Malfunction Indicator .Lamp
....................... 2-5 1 Automatic Transaxle ........................... 2-14 ManualFrontSeat ............................... 1-1
Methanol
...................................... 6-4 ShifIing-Out of .. ............................ 2-22
........................ .................
Shifting Into ................................. 2.- 13
9-6