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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Oldsmobile. This section begins with service and fuel
information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about your vehicle, and a part devoted
to its appearance care.
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-8
6- 12
6-18 6-
19
6-22
6-23
6-24
6-28
6-28
6-28 6-29
6-30
6-35
6-35 Fuel
Fuels
in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the
Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Manual Transaxle Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery Bulb Replacement 6-40
6-48
6-49
6-5
1
6-52
6-54
6-55
6-56
6-56
6-6 1
6-62 6-62
6-63
6-63
6-1
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside
of
Your Oldsmobile
Cleaning Tires
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Dimensions
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2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hnnd, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir H. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap F. Brake Fluid Reservoir
Reservoir (if equipped)
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Windshield Washer Fluid I. Air Cleaner
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
Reservoir J. Battery
(if equipped)
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be between the
ADD and
FULL marks. (Note: Fluid may appear at the bottom
of the dipstick even when the fluid level is several
pints low.)
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way and flip the handle
down.
If the fluid level is low, add more fluid as
described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the dipstick by flipping the handle up and
then pulling the dipstick out.
2. Add fluid at the dipstick hole.
Add only enough fluid to bring the fluid level up to
the FULL mark on the dipstick.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir
is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
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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.
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At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in
the Index.
Manual Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Manual Transaxle”
in the Index. Check for leaks. A fluid
loss may indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
A fluid loss may
indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid
loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, trunk lid,
glove box door and console door. Part
D tells you what
to use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-42
Page 337 of 372

Starter Switch Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking around the
vehicle.
Brake”
in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL
(N), push the clutch down halfway and
try to start the engine. The starter should work only
when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to the
floor.
If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transaxle)
I
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start
the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle’s
BTSI
needs service.
7-43
Page 341 of 372

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
~~
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
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 water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
GM Part
No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Hydraulic Clutch System
Power Steering
System
Manual Transaxle
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Manual
Transaxle Shift
Linkage
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345347 or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
105001
7 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (GM Part
No. 12345349
or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Purpose lubricant, Superlube@ (GM Part
No. 1234624 1
or equivalent).
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI
# 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Page 342 of 372
USAGE
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
I FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine oil.
GM Optikleen’ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. lOSlSlS)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol
(GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI ## 2,
Categorv
LB or GC-LB.
FLUID/LUBRICANT I
Hood and Door
or equivalent). (GM
Part No. 12346241
Hinges Multi-purpose lubricant, Superlube@
Weatherstrip Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
Conditioning Dielectric
Silicone Grease (GM
See “Replacement Parts’’ in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
7-48