1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE check engine

5. Close the inner access door, while squeezing the tab,
6. Snap the outer access panel into the back of the
to be sure it is
tightly closed.
glove box.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
r--- In to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retail
facility Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or
you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if
you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO°C), you
may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. The dipstick is located toward the back
of the engine
compartment, next to the brake master cylinder. The
dipstick handle has
a bright red loop design for easy
identification. Pull
out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use
a 50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
J
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
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Checking Coolant
The engine coolant reservoir is located on the driver’s
side
of the vehicle, above the air cleaner.
When your engine
is cold, the coolant level should be
at
FULL COLD, or a little higher. When your engine
is warm, the level should be above the
FULL COLD
mark, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If this light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
-
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a little --
when the engine and radiator are hot.
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located to the right
of the windshield washer fluid reservoir, at the back of
the engine compartment.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should
be at the
“H” mark. When it’s cold, the level should be
at the
“C” mark. If the fluid is at the ADD mark, you
should add fluid.
What to Use
To determine what lund of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pe~orm these underhood checks
at each fueljill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant”
in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
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Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
A CAUTION: I I A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
injured. Follow the steps below.
injured. Follow the steps below. move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could
be When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
1.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. 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.
3. 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. 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 RUN
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.
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Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
lever is in
PARK (P).
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle E
Merhnnism Check
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.
0 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.
0 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
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