1997 Oldsmobile Achieva check oil

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped
with the
3100 engine, you
have a
CHECK OIL light
on the instrument panel.
If the
CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder. 2.4L Engine
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.
6-12

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
3100 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick
handle for the
2.4L engine is located behind the engine.
The dipstick for the
3100 engine is located in front of
the engine, behind the fan.
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.
6-13

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 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°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.
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.
I 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).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
6-19

Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle
doesn’t require changing.
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.
E you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
I 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.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked
on a level place and the transaxle is cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. The manual transaxle dipstick handle is white and is
located behind the engine. Flip
the handle up and
then pull
out the dipstick and clean it with a rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks
and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
How to Check
If you can see fluid in the reservoir, the level is acceptable.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
new DEX-COOL@engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or
150,000 miles (240
000 km), whichever occurs first,
if you add only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating’’ in
the Index.
A 50150 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Oldsmobile will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

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
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
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 DEX-COOL@
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 Month
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.
7-41

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-34
Fluid
....................................... 6-30
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-30
Parking
..................................... 2-28
PedalTravel
................................. 6-34
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-34
System Warning Light
.................... 2-62. 6.31
Trailer
...................................... 4-39
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-43
Wear
....................................... 6-33
Brake System Warning Light
................. 2.62. 6.31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Bralung
in Emergencies .......................... 4-1 1
Break.In. New Vehicle .......................... 2- I3
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-46
BTSICheck
................................... 7-43
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-35
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-41
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3.9. 3. 13
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-22
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3- 11. 3.15
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3- 19
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-5 1
Center Console Storage Area ...................... 2-5 I
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-32
Certification Label
.............................. 4-33 Chains. Safety
................................. 4-39
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-47
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-66
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-71
CheckOilLight
................................ 2-70
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-47
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-54
Child Restraints
................................ 1-36
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-37
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-39
Securing
in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-41
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-41
WheretoPut
................................ 1-36
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-53
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning Alumlnum Wheels
............................ 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside of Your Oldsmobile
...................... 6-48
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-50
Outside of Your Oldsmobile
.................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-49
Stains
...................................... 6-49
Tires
....................................... 6-53
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Wheels
..................................... 6-53
Windshield
and Wiper Blades ................... 6-51
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
TopStrap
................................... 1-37
9-2

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17.2.18. 3.21. 6-56
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant ..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-65
Exhaust
................. 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-60
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Starting Your
...................... 2.16.247. 2.18
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Checking
................................... 6-13
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-69
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Enhanced Traction System Active Light ......... 2.65. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2.64. 4.10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
............ 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Warning
Light ............................ 2- . 4.9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-26
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5 Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-24
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-47
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-26
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
French Language Manual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-72
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-72
Speedometer
................................. 2-59
Tachometer .................................. 2-60
GarmentHook
................................. 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions. Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
GloveBox
.................................... 2-50
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-33
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-33
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
9-4