1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS overheating

Low Coolant Warning Light
m J
This light comes on briefly when you turn your ignition on.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
CHECK
Your Oldsmobile is
equipped with a computer
which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and
emission control systems.
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled
off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible
signs
of steam, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can. This system is called OBD
I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The
CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
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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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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-8
5- 10
5-11
5-12 5-13
How to Use Warning Flashers
Other Types of Warning Devices
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting
Information
You Should Know Before Towing
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
If Your Engine is Overheating
If Steam is Coming From
Your Engine
5- 16
5-20
5-2
1
5-30
5-32
5-33
5-33
How to Add Coolant
What to do if a Tire Goes Flat
How to Change a Flat Tire
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools
Information on the Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice
How to Rock Your Vehicle
5-1
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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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The coolant level should be at or above FULL COLD.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in
the cooling system. Heater and radiator
hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If
you do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine fans are running.
If the
engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
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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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Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and
length, see “Capacities and Specifications’’ in the Index.
Here’s how
to remove the Sheppard’s Hook type:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
Your new Oldsmobile comes with high-quahty
tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where to
obtain service, see your Oldsmobile Warranty booklet
for details.
I
0
0
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your
tires can cause overheating
as a result of too much friction. You could
have
an airout and a serious accident. See
“Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
6-32
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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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