2002 OLDSMOBILE AURORA engine compartment overview

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.
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5-5
To access the remote
positive (+) terminal,
remove the cover.
If your vehicle has the 4.0L V8 engine, it has a
remote negative (
-) terminal, marked ªGND,º
located near the power steering fluid reservoir.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on location.
You will not see the battery of your vehicle under the
hood. It is located under the rear passenger seat. You
will not need to access the battery for jump starting.
The remote positive (+) terminal is for that purpose.
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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6-12 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3.5 L V6 engine, here's what you'll see:
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6-16 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 near the front of
the engine compartment.
The top of the dipstick is
a round yellow loop. 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.
3.5L V6 Engine
4.0L V8 Engine
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6-17 When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and
Specificationsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is
located near the front of
the engine compartment.
See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.
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6-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter, do
the following:
1. Unscrew the two wing screws on the outboard side
of the housing cover.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter.
4. Install a new engine air cleaner/filter if needed.
5. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reinstall the cover. Be sure
the tabs of the cover fit into the slots of the housing.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
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6-22
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily
get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air filter removes certain
particles from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in airflow, which may occur more
often in dusty areas, indicate that the filter may need to
be replaced early.
The filter should be replaced as part of the routine
scheduled maintenance. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in
the Index for more information.
The passenger compartment
air filter is located on the
passenger side at the base
of the windshield and can
be accessed through a
removable panel under the
hood of the vehicle. See
ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
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6-25
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:

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:
If your vehicle has the 3.5 L V6 engine, the automatic
transaxle fluid dipstick is located in the rear of the engine
compartment toward the driver's side of the vehicle. If
your vehicle has the 4.0 L V8 engine, it is located near the
front of the engine compartment on the driver's side of the
vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
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.
3.5L V6 Engine
4.0L V8 Engine
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross
-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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