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6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-22 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Cooling System Pressure Cap
6
-26 Power Steering Fluid
6
-27 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-56 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-57 Finish Damage
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-59 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-67 Replacement Bulbs
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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6-5
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under your warranty.
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.
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
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.
The tethered cap is located behind a hinged door on the
driver's side of your vehicle.
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6-6
While refueling, let the cap hang by the tether below the
fuel fill opening.
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.
CAUTION:
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 ªhissº noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
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6-7
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicleº 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 ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer 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 ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
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6-11
Before closing the hood, be sure that all the filler
caps are on properly. Then pull the hood down and
close it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL message
appears on the instrument
panel, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more
information, see ªLow Oil
Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is the yellow loop
located near the front of
the engine. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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.
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6-44 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is located on
the inside of the trunk lid, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
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6-67
Replacement Bulbs
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) 1141. .
Fog Lamp 893. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Parking/Turn Signal 4157 NAK. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp
High Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License Plate Lamp 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sidemarker (Front/Rear) 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal (Rear) 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering 3156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . . . .
Pan Removal and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . .
When draining/replacing the converter, more fluid
may be needed.
Cooling System
Including Reservoir10.0 quarts (9.5 L) . . . . . . . .
A/C RefrigerantSee refrigerant charge . . . . . . . . . . .
label under the hood.
Engine Crankcase
(Oil and Filter Change)6.5 quarts (6.1 L) . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank17.5 U.S. gallons (66.2 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
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8-6
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance
Program Features and Benefits
Security While You Travel
1-800-442-OLDS (6537)
As the proud owner of a new Oldsmobile vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance program. This value
-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.Oldsmobile's Roadside Assistance toll
-free number is
staffed by courteous and capable Roadside Assistance
Representatives who are available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper
-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
Fuel delivery
Lock
-out service (identification required)
Tow to the nearest dealership for warranty service or
in the event of a vehicle
-disabling accident
Flat tire change
Jump starts
Minor repairs to disabled vehicles
Assistance when vehicle is mired in sand, mud
or snow
Trip routing
Trip interruption expense benefits
Dealership locator service
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance specifically excludes
coverage for mounting, dismounting or changing of
snow tires, chains or other traction devices.