1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE oil change

7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
FTA TION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or
a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
8. Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand
until the wheel is held against the hub.
7
I A CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
5-29
ProCarManuals.com

The engine oil fill cap is located just behind the engine
oil dipstick.
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.
What Kind of Oil to Use
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:
6-11
ProCarManuals.com

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
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.
6-13
ProCarManuals.com

Checking or Replacing the Air Cleaner
1. Loosen the four wing nuts.
2. Pull the top of the air cleaner toward the fro t of the
vehicle and remove the air cleaner filter.
P
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter, replace the
cover and tighten the wing nuts securely.
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 krn) if the vehicle is mainly dnven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (3 2 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
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.
6-15
ProCarManuals.com

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 (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. 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.
6-19
ProCarManuals.com

Capacities and Specifications
Engine Crankcase ...................................... 4.5 to 5 quarts
Oil change with filter change. Use your dipstick to measure.
Automatic Transaxle
When draining or replacing torque convertel; more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement ............................ 6 quarts
After Complete Overhaul
................................ 8 quarts
With Air Conditioning
.................................. 11.75 quarts
With Rear Climate Control
............................... 13.5 quarts
Cooling System
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level,
as recommended in this manual.
Refrigerant (R-l34a), Air Conditioning
FrontA/Conly ........................................ 2.25 lbs. 1.02 kg
Front and Rear A/C ..................................... 3 lbs. 1.36 kg
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. rfthe air conditioning system in your vehicle needs refrigerant,
be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
lfyou ’re not sure, ask your Oldsmobile retailez For additional information,
see
your “Warranty and Owner Assistance Information ” booklet.
FuelTank ............................................. 20gallons 76 L
WheelNutTorque ...................................... 100 lb-ft 140 N-m
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level,
as recommended
in this manual. 3.75
L
5.70 L
7.60 L
11.25 L
12.75 L
6-59
ProCarManuals.com

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
EVEL
AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I
This section covers the maintenance required for your
Oldsmobile. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
I protection
Huve yo~t purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
SLqplements yo~tr new vehicle warranties. See your
Warrfllzni and Owner Assistance booklet, oy your
Oldsnwbile retailer for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition, but also helps the
environment.
All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-1
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0 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).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner:
Short Trip/City 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.
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. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspection (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
These intervals only sunzmnrize maintenmxe services.
Be sure
to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
7-4
ProCarManuals.com