heater OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1995 User Guide

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the 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. Turn off your air conditioner.
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 (a) or THIRD (D) for
automatic transaxles.
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, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Cooling System
3.1L V6: Cooling System
5-16
ProCarManuals.com

3800 V6: Recovery Tank Level
l I I
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL HOT
mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
5-18
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant
level isn’t at or above the
FULL HOT mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and
a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See
“Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information
about the proper coolant
mix.)
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the
FULL HOT mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system
is
cool before you do it.
5-19
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Oldsmobile retailer
is ready
to advise if you think something should be
added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 krn).
This
is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier 011 top of
your vehicle.
If any one
of these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or I2 months -- whichever
comes first.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside
in very cold weather, 0°F (- 18OC) or
colder.
If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or
a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be
a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure
to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it
in the trash or by pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-16
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 128 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant flush and refill.
If you use
this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged.
The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-57
Checking Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 6-19
Brakenuid
................................. 6-27
Engine Coolant
.............................. 6-23
Engineoil
.................................. 6-11
Power Steering Fluid ......................... 6-25
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-57
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-6
Chemjcal Faint Spotting
.......................... 6-49
Child Restraints
................................ 1-49
Built-In
.................................... 1-40
Securing in
an Outside Seat Position ............. 1-50
Securing in the Center Seat Position
.............. 1-52
TopStrap
................................... 1-49
Where to Put
................................ 1-49
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-65
Circuit Breaker, Power Windows
and
Other Power Options ........................... 6-57
Circuit BreakerRelay Panel
....................... 6-55
Cleaner, Air
................................... 6-17
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................... 6-48
Built-In Child Restraint Pad
.................... 6-45
Fabric
..................................... 6-42
Leather
.................................... 6-45
Outside
of the Windshield, Backglass
andWiperBlades
........................... 6-46
Special Problems
............................ 6-44
Glass
...................................... 6-46
Stains
...................................... 6-42 The Inside
of Your Oldsrnobile .................. 6-42
The Outside
of Your Oldsmobile ................ 6-47
Tires
...................................... 6-48
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-45
Vinyl
...................................... 6-44
Climate Control System
........................... 3-1
Climate Control. Rear
............................ 3-4
Clock. Settingthe ................................ 3-8
Coinholder
.................................... 2-67
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-22
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-16
Compact Spare Tire ............................. 5-34
Console. Compact Overhead
...................... 2-55
Console. Overhead
.............................. 2-51
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Control.
LOSS of ................................ 4-14
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-59
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-58
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater. Engine
..................... 2-27. 6-16
Coolant Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-19
Coolant. How
to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank ... 5-19
Coolant. How to
Add to the Radiator ............... 5-21
Cooling System ................................ 5-16
Cruise Control
................................. 2-44
Erasing Speed Memory
........................ 2-48
Getting Out
of ............................... 2-48
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
............ 2-48
ToIqcreaseSpeed
............................ 2-47
To Reduce Speed
............................ 2-48
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

To Resume a Set Speed ........................ 2-46
ToSet
..................................... 2-45
Traction Control
............................. 2-45
UseonHills
................................ 2-48
Cupholders
................................. 2.65. 66
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or
SpeechImpaired
............................... 8-2
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- 1
Damage. Finish ............................... 6-48
Dead Battery ................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting
............ i .................. 8-4
Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogging ..................................... 3-6
Defrosting
..................................... 3-6
Directional Controls
.............................. 3-2
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ....................... 3- 13
Dome Lamp ................................... 2-55
Door Lock. Sliding .............................. 2- 12
Door Lock. Sliding Door Child Security ... ......... 2- 17
DoorLocks ..................................... 2-3
Doors. Front
.......................... I ......... 2-3
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 1 8
Driver’s 4-Way Manual Seat
....................... 1 - 1
Driver’s 6-Way Power Seat ......................... 1-3
Driving On..Grades. With a Trailer .................. 4-37
Driving
AtNight
................................... 4-15
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-7 City
....................................... 4-19
Defensive
................................... 4-1
Drunken
.................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
In a Blizzard
................................ 4-27
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
In the Rain
.................................. 4-17
OnCurves .................................. 4-11
On Hill and Mountain Roads ................... 4-23
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-25
Through Deep Standing Water
.................. 2-27
Winter
..................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
............................... 4-35
Drunken Driving
.......... ..................... 4-2
Dump and
Stow Feature ........................... 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding .......... 2.25. 3.21. 6-51
Electronic Level Control
......................... 2-68
Enginecoolant
................................. 6-22
Adding
.................................... 6-23
Checking ................................... 6-23
Heater
................................ 2.27. 6. 16
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-80
Exhaust
.................................... 2-37
Identification ................................ 6-51
Running it While You’re Parked
................. 2-37
Specifications
.. :’. ........................... 6-60
Starting
.................................... 2-24
Engine
Overheating
................................. 5-15
9-4
ProCarManuals.com