1998 Oldsmobile Aurora Owner's Manuals

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States
or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by
use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Filling Your Tank
,A CAUTION: I
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
I I
6-5

The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of
your vehicle.
The remote fuel door release can help keep your fuel
tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel door
is closed and latched after refueling.
To open the fuel door (on
the driver's side of the
vehicle), press the button
next to the trunk release
button, to the right of the
steering column. The
ignition does not need to
be
on. The remote fuel door
release will work in all
transaxle positions. The fuel
door can
be opened
manually in case
of an
electrical power failure. To
do so, first open the trunk.
The release mechanism is
on the driver's side
of the
vehicle, at the top
of the
trunk compartment. Pull
the tab toward you to
release the
fuel door.
NOTICE:
Prying on a locked fuel filler door could damage
it. Use the remote fuel door manual release
located
in the trunk.
6-6

To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered cap from the hook
on the fuel door.
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank
is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait
for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back
on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. See “Malfunction
Indicator Lamp”
in the Index.
6-7

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.
FYng a Portable Fuel Container
I-
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if
this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
CAUTION: (Continued)
I
!
Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.
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.
6-8

I A CAUTION:
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 or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts underhood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the hood release handle
inside the vehicle, located to
the left of the steering wheel
under the instrument panel. Then
go to the front
of the vehicle and pull up on the
underhood release.
Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are on
properly. Then pull the hood down and close it fiiy.
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4.0L Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Remote Positive (+)
Battery Terminal
B. Windshield Washer
fluid Reservoir
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap Dipstick
(behind air cleaner)
E. Engine Oil Dipstick H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
E Brake Fluid Reservoir I. Air Cleaner

Engine Oil
73
OIL
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL
message
or the oil warning
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 Level Message”
or “Oil Pressure Warning 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 02 must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
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.
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 Engine 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.
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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
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