1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA trailer

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5-9
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel
-lift
or car
-carrier equipment.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. Your driver information
center will also display messages about engine
overheating. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº
in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
message HOT STOP ENGINE is displayed, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a loss in power and engine performance.
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency; you may drive up to 50
miles (80 km). Towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life indicator. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.
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5-11
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. See ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
)
or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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6-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When 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:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
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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6-19
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

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 180F to 200F
(82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), 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. 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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Scheduled Maintenance
7-9
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)

Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Lubricate chassis components (or at each engine oil and filter change).
(See footnote #.)

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)

Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

Lubricate chassis components (or at each engine oil and filter change).
(See footnote #.)
(Continued)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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Scheduled Maintenance
7-13
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.

Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom screens if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90
F
(32
C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you haven't used your vehicle under severe service conditions listed
previously and, therefore, haven't changed your automatic transaxle fluid,
change both the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
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9-2
Belt, Engine Accessory 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-3, 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blizzard 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
Adjustment 6
-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Light 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Bulbs 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-31, 2-32, 4-28, 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-10, 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cellular Telephone 2
-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Central Door Unlocking System 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification Label 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Safety 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Oil Soon Message 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Oil Level Warning 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position 1-44 . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-46 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner/Filter, Air 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome
-Plated Wheels 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Surfaces 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-4
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow or Ice 4-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Water 4-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DRL 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Elapsed Time Indicator 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-22, 3-24, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-47 . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Climate Control 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Level Control 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessory Belt 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner/Filter 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Level Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Blocks 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While Parked 2-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Message (DIC) 2-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Oil 6
-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Life Indicator 2-78, 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Life Monitor 2-78, 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Light 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Estimated Time of Arrival 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Lighting 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Express-Down Window 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric Cleaning 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fan Knob, Climate Control System 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter/Cleaner, Air 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flash-To-Pass Feature 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacities 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluids and Lubricants 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Storage Armrest 2
-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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