1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass check engine

Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment.
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to
blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap -- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When you engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
If the light comes on, it
means you’re
low on
engine coolant.
6-20

Starter Switch Check
=
Brake-Traasaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If’ it does, you or others could be
---1 injured. Follow the steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
1
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK
(P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
7-28

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position. The
key should
turn to OFF only when the shift lever is in
PARK
(P).
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism /*"leek
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle
in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then
release
all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-29

1998 OLDSMOBILE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS 0RDERIN.G. INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing \
of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the ,Setvice Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below\
.).
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 OLDSMOBILE
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERWCE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL
SELL PRICE: $1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, please
specify year
and model name of the vehicle.

rrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-60
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-60
GarmentHook
................................. 2-44
GAWR ....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 18
GloveBox
.................................... 2-41
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-31
GVWR ....................................... 4-31
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-28
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-28
High/Low Beamchanger ...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-52
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3- 4
Headlamps .................................... 2-36
High-BeamHeadlamps
.......................... 2-30 Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
HillandMountainRoads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-28
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-14
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-29
Illuminated EntryExit
........................... 2-38
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-35
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-40
Inspections
.................................... 7-30
Brakesystem
................................ 7-30
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-30
Exhaust System
.............................. 7-30
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-30
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-30
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-30
Suspension
.................................. 7-30
Throttle System
.............................. 7-30
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-46
Cleaning
.................................... 6-45
Cluster
..................................... 2-48
Fuse Block
........................ 6-53,6-54,6-5. 5
Intensity Control
............................. 2-38
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-38
Steering
.................................... 7-30
9-5

Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-30
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-3 1
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-49
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Making
Turns with a Trailer ...................... 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-55
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-40
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirror Reading Lamps
........................... 2-39
Mirrors
....................................... 2-40
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-41
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-40
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-40
Outside
..................................... 2-40
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-41
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-44
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-29
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-43
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2- 19
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-13
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Selecting the Right Schedule
..................... 7-4
Odometer
.................................... 2-49
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-49
Off-RoadRecovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-11
Oil Pressure Warning Light ....................... 2-57
Outside Mirror
................................. 2-40
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-26
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-10
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-49
Park ShiftingInto
................................. 2-23
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-25
Park. Automatic Transaxle
........................ 2-18
Paxking
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-12
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-29
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That
Bum ........................ 2-26
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-39
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-20
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Passing with a Trailer
............................ 4-37
Passlock
...................................... 2-13
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-59
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-30

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ..................... 1-14
SignalingTurns
................................ 2-30
Sound Equipment, Adding
.............. 2-16,3-21, 6-52
Spare Tire, Compact
............................. 5-32
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-59
Specifications, Engine
........................... 6-60
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance
............... 8-4
Speedometer
................................... 2-49
SRS
......................................... 1-20
Stains, Cleaning
................................ 6-43
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-28
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-15
Stem
........................................ 5-13
Steering
....................................... 4-9
In Emergencies
............................... 4- 10
Power
....................................... 4-9
Tips ......................................... 4-9
Wheel, Tilt
.................................. 2-29
Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-32
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-41
Storage, Vehicle
................................ 6-28
Stuck In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.................. 5-33
SunVisors
.................................... 2-44
Sunroof ....................................... 2-45
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-20
Surge Tank coolant
..................................... 5-15
How to Add Coolant
.......................... 5- 17
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Surge
Tank Pressure Cap ......................... 6-21
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Synchronization ................................ 2-10
Tachometer
.................................. 2-50
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-32
Tape Player Care
............................... 3-21
Theft
......................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Feature.
CD Player ................ 3-18
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-18
Thermostat
.................................... 6-21
Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-20
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-29
Time. Setting the
................................ 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-42
TireLoading
................................... 4-30
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-30
Tires
......................................... 6-34
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-40
Buying New
................................. 6-38
Chains
..................................... 6-42
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation
.................................... 6-35
Inflation Check
............................... 7-26
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-36
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-35
9-10
I