1997 Oldsmobile Achieva coolant temperature

To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
ION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord
as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Oldsmobile retailer in the area where
you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The retailer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
2-20

Enhanced Traction System Active Light
(If Equipped)
LOW
TRAC
When your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin, this light will
come on. Slippery road
conditions may exist
if the
Enhanced Traction System active light comes on,
so
adjust your driving
accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
W
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, your engine
is too hot! It means that
your engine coolant
has overheated.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active. If
you have been operating
your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
2-65

BI-LEV: Use on cool, but sunny days. This setting
brings in the outside air, but directs
it in two ways. The
cool air is directed to the upper portion of your body
through the instrument panel outlets, but slightly
warmer air is directed through the heater ducts and
defroster vents. At times this temperature difference
may be more apparent than others.
The air conditioner compressor
is enabled in all three air
conditioning positions.
VENT Use when outside temperatures are mild, and
little heating or cooling is needed. Airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.
HEAT This setting brings heated air through the heater
ducts, and some through the windshield defroster vents.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather,
0°F
(- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
DEFOG: This setting divides airflow equally between
the heater ducts and the windshield defroster vents.
DEF: This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents located on top
of the
instrument panel.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Your system has three air conditioner settings in
addition to the standard climate control system. Before
using your air conditioner on very hot days, open the
windows long enough
to let hot inside air escape. This
reduces the amount
of work your air conditioner’s
compressor will have to do, which should help
fuel economy.

Heating
On cold days, use HEAT with the temperature knob all
the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat
it and send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
(O’F (-18°C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms
the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two settings for clearing your windows. For
each setting, adjust the temperature control as desired.
To rapidly defrost the windshield, rotate the temperature
control to maximum heat and rotate the mode control to
the defrost symbol. Rotate the
fan to the highest speed.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on
each end of the instrument panel. For additional side
window defogging, rotate the mode control to the
BI-LEV position, rotate the fan control to the highest
speed and aim the side vents on the instrument panel to
the side window. For increased airflow to the side vents,
close the center vents.
3-4

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Oldsmobile’s instrument panel. See “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage” in the Index.
You will also find a
LOW COOLANT level warning light on your
Oldsmobile’s instrument panel. See “Low Coolant
Warning Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
/r CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
I i
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

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.

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.

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