
I
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
TM coolant.
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
So
use the recommended coolant.
c
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.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Oldsmobile retail
facility Service Department and have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have your fluid level checked
by your retailer or service center when you have your
oil changed.
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
TM 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 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Oldsmobile will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 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 TM (silicate-free) coolant.
If silicated coolant 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.
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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 TM coolant.
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 year,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
I I
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.
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and servlces which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall). You should let your
GM retailer’s service
department or other
qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts
as well as open seams, holes, loose connections or other conditions
whch could cause a heat
build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace
as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace
any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual adjustment is required. You may need
to have your
brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or
conditions result
in frequent braking.
7-41
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Compact Disc Player ............................ 3-14
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-32
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-43
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-40
Coolant
....................................... 6- 16
Adding
..................................... 6-19
Checking
................................... 6-18
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 15
SurgeTank .................................. 5-14
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6- 19
Whattouse
................................. 6-17
Cooling System
................................ 5-14
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-32
CruiseLight
................................... 2-60
Cupholder, Center Console
....................... 2-42
Cupholder, Instrument Panel
...................... 2-42
Cupholder, Rear Seat
............................ 2-42
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-47
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-47
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-36
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-5 Defogging
..................................... 3-4
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-58
Dolby' B Noise Reduction
.................. 3.12. 3.17
Dome Lamp
................................... 2-38
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-31
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
Drive. Automatic Transaxle
....................... 2-19
DriverPosition
................................. 1-12
Driving City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
IntheRain .................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-38
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-25
Throughwater
............................... 4-18
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-3
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2-15. 3-20. 6-50
Electrical System
............................... 6-50
9-3
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Engine ........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6- 16
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 15
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Exhaust
...................... 2.10.2.25.4.27. 4.35
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-54
Identification
................................ 6-49
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-12
RunningWhileParked
......................... 2-27
Specifications
................................ 6-58
Starting Your
................................ 2-14
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6- 13
Checking
................................... 6-11
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-58
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-12
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-35
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4 Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Following Distance with a Trailer
.................. 4-37
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling-Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-62
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-51
Gages
Fog Lamps
.................................... 2-37
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-62
Tachometer
.................................. 2-50
GarmentHook
................................. 2-45
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-17
GloveBox
.................................... 2-41
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
GVWR
....................................... 4-31
................................ Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-41 Halogen Bulbs 6-26
Filling
your ................................ 6-5 Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
Filter.
& ..................................... 6- 15 Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Finish Care
.................................... 6-45 Headlamps .................................... 2-35
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-20 HiglAow Beam Changer ...................... 2-29
............................ Finish Damage ................................. 6-47 Bulb Replacement 6-27
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2 OnReminder 2-35
Hash-to-Pass
.................................. 2-29 Wiring 6-50
................................
.....................................
9-4
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Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-29
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-27
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 13
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
IlluminatedEntryExit
........................... 2-38
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-33
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-39
Inspections
.................................... 7-41
Brake System
................................ 7-41
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-46
Cleaning
.................................... 6-43
Cluster
............................ .. ........ 2-48
Fuse Block
........................ 6.51.6.52. 6.53
Intensity Control
............................. 2-37
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-37
Heating
........................................ 3-4
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels
....................................... 6-49
Certification
................................. 4-31
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-49
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number
.................... 6-49
Lamps
........................................ 2-35
Exterior
.................................... 2-35
Fog
........................................ 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-37
MirrorReading
............................... 2-38
OnReminder
................................ 2-35
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-6
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-23
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22. 2-52
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.54. 4.7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2.53. 6.23
CheckEngine
................................ 2-55
CheckOil
.............................. 2.59. 6.10
Cruise
...................................... 2-60
DoorAjar
................................... 2-61
Engine Oil Pressure Warning
.................... 2-58
Interior ..................................... 2-37
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.55. 6.18
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-52
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