1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Oldsmobile retailer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
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
Ll H 8P7
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Filling Your Tank
‘ A CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver’s side of
your vehicle. You will notice that
on the inside of the
hinged door there
is a place to hold the gas cap while
you are adding fuel.
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If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly.
This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
’ hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
’ wait for any WSS” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). Be
careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Oldsmobile” in the Index.
When
you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can deterrnine if the
fuel cap has been left
off or improperly installed. This
would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
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NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checkhg Things Under the Hood
/I CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Hood Release
A CAUTION:,,
I
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
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To open the hood, first pull the hood release handle
inside the vehicle.
Next, go to
the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
underhood release.
Lift
the hood. The
hood prop rod may be
hot due to increased engine
temperatures under the hood,
so be careful when
handling
it. Use your hood prop sleeve when handling
the hood prop.
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A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
E Brake Master Cylinder
G. Air Cleaner
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery
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Pull forward on the hood prop to release it from its
storage clip.
Put the end of the hood prop into the slot in
the underside of the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Lift the hood to relieve the pressure on
the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Let the hood
down and close
it firmly.
Underhood Lamp
Your underhood lamp will go on when you open
the hood.
Engine Oil
LOW
OIL
If the LOW OIL light on the
instrument panel comes
on,
it means you need to check
your engine oil level right
away.
For more information,
see "LOW
OIL Light" in the
Index. You should check
your engine oil level
regularly; this is
an
added reminder. It's
a good idea
to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
.-
The engine oil dipstick is located at the front of the
engine compartment, near the center. The dipstick
handle has
a bright, yellow loop design for
easier identification.
Turn off the engine
and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the
oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all
the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
I
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications’’
in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
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