1997 Oldsmobile Achieva engine coolant

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)

3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine
Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick E.
Automatic I'ransaxle Dipstick
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Battery
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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.

NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant is other than DEX-COOL@ 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. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL’ is not
covered by our new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
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%oolant.

NOTICE:
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 yea,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
I 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 surge tank is located on the passenger's side of the
engine compartment.
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*N:
r
Turning 1 su -e tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine
is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark.
If the LOW COOLANT
light comes on,
it
means you’re low on
LOW
COOLANT
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure
it is tight.

Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE: ~
Your pressure cap is an 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When y'6u &place your surge tank pressure cap,
a
GM 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
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system.inspected
and repaired.

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (I66 000 km) (Continued)
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- 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, thefluid andfilter
do not require changing.
Manual transaxle fluid doesn’t
require change.
150,000 Miles (240 000 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.
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