1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Owner's Manuals

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL l"'na'n~Y AND COLD STARTING, SELECf WE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY JIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
WOK
FOR THIS i HOT
WEATHER
COLD
WEATHER
SYMBOL
I- SAE I 1OW-30
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.1L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 1OW-30 if it'.s going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 2OW-50.
6-13

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

1. Air Cleaner
To check or replace the air filter, remove the four screws
and pull
off the cover. Pull
out the filter. Be sure to install the air filter and
install the cover tightly when you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
6-16

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

How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retail
facility 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.
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.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature,' which is
..I 80°F to 200°F 1
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
. (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10OC). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
0
0
'0
0
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the pqking 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.
6-18

Then, without shutting off the
m
en-@ne, follow these steps: , .
I
c
.. ., x., ' ,
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ1 Engine - '.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The. fluid level
myst be in the.
. cross-hatched area.
' 4. If the fluid level is in the ameptable range, push
..
the dipstick back in all the way.
:. '
!
;:
4

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.