Page 11 of 436

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols 
are important for
you and your 
passengers
whenever your 
vehicle is driven:
CHILD
RESTRAINT
TOP STRAP
ANCHOR
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index. 
     
        
        Page 12 of 436
Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Engine Oil Dipstick
See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Secondary 
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer 
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Battery
See Section 6
Hood Release 
See Section 6
Tire Pressure
See Section 6                       
For
a More 
Detailed Look at 
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6
 Fuel
Use unleaded only.
See Section 6
for octane ratings. 
     
        
        Page 279 of 436

4-22
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh 
-- such as after a 
day's work 
-- don't plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and
shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? 
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to 
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a 
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps? 
     
        
        Page 286 of 436

4-29
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).  
     
        
        Page 330 of 436

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
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement
6
-20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-26 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Underbody Maintenance
6
-58 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-69 Replacement Bulbs
6
-69 Capacities and Specifications
6
-70 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts 
     
        
        Page 341 of 436

6-12
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly then follow these steps:
1. Lift the hood to relieve pressure off the hood prop.
2. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood.
3. Return the prop to its retainer.
4. Let the hood down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
United States Canada
If the low engine oil level message appears on the
instrument panel, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information, 
see ªLow Engine Oil Level Messageº 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 
is located at the front of 
the engine compartment,
near the center. The dipstick
handle has a bright, yellow
loop design for easy
identification. 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. 
     
        
        Page 372 of 436

6-43 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label, which is on the rear edge of
the driver's door, 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. 
     
        
        Page 398 of 436

6-69
Replacement Bulbs
Headlamps 9004-HBI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front Turn Signal/
Parking Lamps 3157 NA or 3157 NAK. . . . . . . . . . 
Front Sidemarker Lamps 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stop/Taillamps (Top) 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Signal Lamps (2nd from Top) 3156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Back
-Up Lamps (3rd from Top) 3156. . . . . . . . . . . . 
Taillamps (Bottom) 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal 
and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . 
Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . . . . . . . . 
Cooling System
With A/C 9.6 quarts (9.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
With Rear Climate Control 11.9 quarts (11.3 L). . . . . Engine Crankcase 
- Oil and 
Filter Change4.5 quarts (4.25 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Fuel Capacity25.5 U.S. gallons (94.0 L) . . . . . . . . . 
Refrigerant, 
Air ConditioningSee the Refrigerant Label . . . . . 
under the hood.
Tire Pressures, SizesSee Certification/Tire label . . . . 
on the rear edge of the driver's door.
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . . 
Windshield 
Washer Fluid1.0 U.S. gallon (0.37 L) . . . . . . . . . 
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in 
this manual.
Engine Specifications
Engine VIN Code E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Engine Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Horsepower 185. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Thermostat Temperature
Specification 195F (91C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .