1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 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.
m
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.
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Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR 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.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward the
rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear
of
obstructions so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
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 (0°F
(- 18 O 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 Windows
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.
To defrost the windows quickly, rotate the temperature
control
knob all the way in the red area. Use
DEFROST and adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows clean,
use DEFOG.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on
the outside of the side instrument panel vents. For
additional side window defogging, rotate the mode
control to VENT, rotate the
fan control to the highest
speed, press A/C and aim the side vents on the
instrument panel to the windows. For increased airflow
to the side windows, close the center vents.
RECIRCULATION will not work in DEFROST and
DEFOG. This is done to prevent recirculation of humid
inside air and allow the system to work properly.
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Oldsmobile retailer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a
turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will
also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers
behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
I NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 kmk) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage.
If the indicator
is in the red area,
turn off the air conditioning (if you
have
this option) to reduce engine load (see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index).
4-38
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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
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 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.
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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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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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