1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE engine coolant

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

I 1
I NOTICE: I
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The engine coolant reservoir is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle towards the middle of
the engine compartment.
When your engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at
FULL
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to FULL
HOT, or a
little higher.
ProCarManuals.com

If this light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
LOW
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
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 coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill
it.
I
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 spill coolant on a hot engine.
6-21
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located to the right
of the engine coolant reservoir, at the back of the
engine compartment.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
d
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BV:
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’ in
the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
A11 Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
7-23
ProCarManuals.com

qng Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
, ; ., ‘:, ;: .
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom
of movement and lubricate
if required.
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Ernission Corztrol Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Ernission Control Service.
7-32
ProCarManuals.com

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified
to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pevforrn these underhood checks at each fixelfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a - -011
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
7-34
ProCarManuals.com

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM retailer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean wateL
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL
TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL’”
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming
to GM
Specification 6277M. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake
System
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders GM
Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
(GM Part No.
1052535 or
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pt.,
1050017
- l qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube@ (GM Part No. 12346241
or equivalent).
7-39
ProCarManuals.com