1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme recommended oil

Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going
slower than you actually are.
I !
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in. Is
your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to
go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Oldsmobile retail facilities all across North America.
They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before
a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
0 Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving?
Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-20

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery
tad. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index ’for
more information.)
I
A 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 antifreeze.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
5-17

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE: ~~
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline
or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
6-4

What Kind of Oil to Use
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ 1 Engine
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. 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.
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container. If
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
I -5ii- mw I Institute certified for
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
6-12
6

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

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.

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER SIZE DESCRIPTION USAGE
1050004 2.75
sq. ft. Chamois Shines vehicle without scratching
1052929 16
oz. (0.473
L) Wheel Cleaner
Spray on wheel cleaner
1052930
8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture Dry Spot Remover Attracts and absorbs soils
12345002** 16
oz. (0.473 L) Armor All Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725 12
oz. (0.354 L) Silicone Tire Shine Shines tires
See your General Motors
Parts Department for these products. , I I See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
**Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.