2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette oil level

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
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.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
5-28

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOLžengine coolant at the coolant recovery
tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-22for more
information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-30

When your brake ¯uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-46.
What to Add
When you do need brake ¯uid, use only DOT-3 brake
¯uid. Use new brake ¯uid from a sealed container only.
See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always clean the brake ¯uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of ¯uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake ¯uid.
Notice:
·Using the wrong ¯uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of ¯uid.
·If you spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint ®nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
Appearance
Care on page 5-92.
5-39

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan?
The Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended ¯uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper ¯uid
levels or the wrong tire in¯ation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and ®lter. Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-13.An Emission Control Service.··
Lubricate chassis components.
See footnote #.··
Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (k).··
Inspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace ®lter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.An Emission Control Service. See footnote ².··
Rotate tires and check in¯ation pressures and wear. See
Tires on page 5-58.··
Inspect brake system.
See footnote (a).··
Check engine coolant and windshield washer ¯uid levels and add ¯uid
as needed.··
Perform any needed additional services. See ªAdditional Required Servicesº
in this section.··
Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (b).·
Inspect engine cooling system.
See footnote (c).·
Inspect wiper blades.
See footnote (d).·
Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (e).·
Lubricate body components.
See footnote (f).·
Check transaxle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as needed.·
Replace passenger compartment air ®lter.
See footnote (g).·
Inspect throttle system.
See footnote (j).·
6-5

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals speci®ed to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOLžcoolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-22for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer ¯uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper ¯uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire In¯ation Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
in¯ated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. See
Tires on page 5-58for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. Push, pull and then try to rotate or turn
the spare tire. If it moves, tighten it. See
Changing a
Flat Tire on page 5-76.
6-9