1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS engine

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but \
you
must use caution.
~ ~~ ~
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast whiIe shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
5-33
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on andor your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized Oldsmobile retailer for diagnosis to
determine the cause of failure.
In the event it is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type
of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadlenyl manganese tricarbonyl
("T);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
Oldsmobile retailer for service. To
provide cleaner
air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system
to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel.
In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
s
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.
6-4
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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'
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com