1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS engine oil

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 an\
d lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.\

6-2 6-3
6-5
6-5 6-7
6-11 6- 16
6-16
6-21
6-22
6-25
6-26
6-26
6-32
6-33 Doing
Your Own Service Work
What Kind of Fuel to Use
Using Fuel in Foreign Countries Where to Put the Fuel and Filling the Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Checking Your Engine Oil
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Where to Fill the Windshield Washer Fluid
Important Brake Information
Infomation on Your Vehicle’s Battery
Tips on Vehicle Storage
Bulb Replacement Procedures
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement How and When to Check Tire Inflation When
it is
Time to Buy New Tires
Wheel Alignment Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of the Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Recornended Appearance Care Materials
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Specifications
Normal Replacement Parts
6-35
6-38
6-4
1
6-43
6-45 6-46
6-47
6-48
6-49
6-50
6-5 1
6-57
6-57
6-58
6-58
6-1
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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 properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
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. 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
OF spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts under the hood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the hood release handle
inside the vehicle.
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3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
I A.. Engine Coalant Surge Tank D. Engine Oi€ Dipstick G. Battery
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap E Air Cle,aner Reservoir
H. Windshield Washer Fluid
I'
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Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
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.
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
handle is yellow ,and
located on the front of
the engine.
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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart
of 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 upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
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What Kind of Oil to Use
The oil fill cap for the 3 100 engine is located on the
front of the engine.
Be sure to
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through. Oils recommended
for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the front of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
6-12
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RECOMMENDED WE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OllS
FOR BEST NE1 ECONOMY J\ND COLD SIARTINS, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY "WDL OIL FOR TWE EXPEMEa'TEMPERATURE RRNSE:
HOT
WEATHER r
"F
ClOO,
+BO.
+60-
+40-
+20-
0-
f
7
"C
- +38
- +27
- + 16
. +4
--7
.-18
i
I
/
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
NOTICE:
GM Goodwrench@ oilmeets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add mything to your oil. Your Oldsmobie retder is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short triphity
maintenance schedule:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are though dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment.
If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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