checking oil Oldsmobile Achieva 1995 Owner's Manuals

Underhood Light
Your parking lights or headlights must be on for the
underhood light
to function when you open the hood.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see
”CHECK OIL
LIGHT” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
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.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
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.
Checking Engine Oil
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick
handle for the
2.3L L-4 is located behind the engine.
The dipstick for the 3.1L
V-6 is located in front of the
engine behind the fan.
6-11

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Oldsmobile retailer
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90 OF (32 O C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
6-17

I Section 9 Index
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 6- 19
Brake Fluid ................................. 6-26
Electrical Ecluipt-nent
............ 2- 16 . I7 . 3- I5 . 6-50
Engine Coolant
......................... 5- 15. 6-23
Engine Oil
.................................. 6- 12
Hycitwlic Clutch Fluid ........................ 6-2 1
Manual Transaxle Fluid ....................... 6-20
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-24
Sound Equipment
............................ 3- IS
Windshield Washer Fluid ................. 2-39 . 6-25
How Does it Restrain ......................... 1-22
How it Works ............................... 1-21
Location ................................... 1-2 1
Readiness Light ........................ 1-20 . 2-60
Servicing
................................... 1-24
What Makes
it Inflate ......................... 1-22
What Will You See After
it Inflates .............. 1-23
When Should
it Inl'late ........................ 1-22
Air Cleaner .................................... 6- I6
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-3
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-47
Antenna. Fixed Mast
............................ 3- 17
Antenna. Rear Window Defogger .................. 3- I7
Air Bag
Alignment and Balance . Tires ..................... 6-39 Antifreeze
..................................... 6-21
Adding
............................... 5- 15.6-23
Checking
................................... 6- 23
Anti-Lock
..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light ......... 2-63. 4-6
Anti-Lock Brakes ............................... 4-6
Appearance
Care and Materials .................... 6-49
Ashtray and Lighler
............................. 2-51
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-5
Auto Down Window ............................ 2-32
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Overdrive Position
. Automatic Transaxle ... 2-21
Automatic Transaxle ............................ 2- 19
Automatic Transaxle . Automatic Overdrive Position . 2-2 I
Automatic Transaxle Chart ..................... 6-54
Drive (D) Position ............................ 2-21
First Gear ( 1 ) Position ........................ - 3-22
Neutral (N) Position .......................... 2-20
Park
(P) Position ............................. 2- 19
Reverse (R) Position .......................... 2-20
Second
Gear (2) Position ...................... 2-21
Shifting
.............................. 2- 19.27. 29
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2- IS
Third Gear (3) Position ........................ 2-21
AppeariInce
Ci1t.e
............................... 6-11
Armrest . Storage ............................... I 3 -49
Ashtray . Rear .................................. 2-52
9-1

Automatic Transaxle Fluid ........................ 6- 17
Adding
.................................... 6-19
Checking
................................... 6-17
Battery Charge Light
................................ 2-60
Low Maintenance
............................ 6-28
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
............... 2-8
Replacement. Vehicle
......................... 6-28
Rundown Protection
.......................... 2-46
Voltmeter
................................... 2-61
Warnings
.................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-3
Blizzard
...................................... 4-25
Brake Anti-Lock
................................... 4-6
Adjustment
................................. 6-28
Fluid, Adding
............................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
............................. 6-26
Parking
.................................... 2-26
PedalTravel
................................ 6-28
System Parts. Replacing
....................... 6-28
System Warning Light
........................ 2-62
Trailer
..................................... 4-35
Transaxle Shift Interlock
............... 2-20.29. 7-38
Wear ...................................... 6-27
Brakes, Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Brakes, Trailer
................................. 4-35
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking, In Emergencies
.......................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 12
BTSI (Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock)
...... 2-20.29. 7-38
Bulb Replacement
FogLamp
.................................. 6-32
Headlamps
................................. 6-30
Replacement Bulb Ch,art
....................... 6-56
Taillamps
................................... 6-31
Canada. Vehicles First Sold
In .............. 1 . 12. 25. 39
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-54
Carbon Monoxide
...................... 2-30.4-26. 34
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-16
CDErrors
..................................... 3-11
CDPlayer ..................................... 3-10
CD Player Anti-Theft Feature
..................... 3-13
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-31
Certification/Tlre Label
.......................... 4-29
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-41
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-20
Chargmg System Light
.......................... 2-60
Check Gages Warning Light ...................... 2-66
Check Oil Light
................................ 2-68
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-47
Checking Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 6-17
BrakeFluid
................................. 6-26
BTSI
...................................... 7-38
Engine Coolant .............................. 6-21
Engineoil
.................................. 6-11
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................ 6-21
Manual Transaxle Fluid
....................... 6-19
9-2

Damage. Finish ............................... 6-48
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-48
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting ............................... 8-4
Defensive Driving
................................ 4- I
Defogger. Rear W~ndow .......................... 3-4
Defogging
..................................... 3-2
Defrosting
..................................... 3-2
Locks
...................................... 2-3
Locks. Power
................................ 2-4
Driver Position
................................. 1 - I2
Driving On Grades . With a Trailer .................. 4-37
Driving
Door
AtNight ................................... 4-13
City
....................................... 4-17
Defensive
................................... 4- I
Drunken .................................... 4- 2.
Freeway .................................... 4-18
In a Blizzard ................................ 4-25
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain .................................. 4- 14
OnCurves ................................... 4-8
On Hill and Mountain Roads
................... 4-2 I
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-23
Through Deep Standing Water
.................. 2- I7
Winter ..................................... 4-22
With
a Tsailer ............................... 4-35
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Easy-Entry Seat ................................
Elect;-ical Eyuipment. Adding ........... 2- 16. 3- IS. 6-50
Adding
............................... 5- 1 2. 6-23
Checkmg
................................... 6-23
Heater
................................ 2- 17. 6- 15
Low Coolant Level Warning Light ............... 2-65
Temperature
Gage ............................ 2-64
Temperature Warning Light
.................... 2-64
Cooling System
.............................. 6-54
Exhallst
.................................... 2-30
Identification
................................ 6-50
Lubrication System Chart
...................... 6-54
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Specifications
............................... 6-57
Starting
................................. 2-15. 16
2.3 L ............................ 2- IS. 6-9.54. 57
3.1 L ........................... 2-16.6-10,54,57
Engineoil .................................... 6-11
Adding .................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6-11
Warning Light ............................ 2-67. 68
What Kind to
Use ............................ 6-13
What to do
with Used Oil ...................... 6-15
When
to Change ............................. 6-15
Ethanol (In Fuel) ................................ 6-3
Exhaust . Engine ................................ 2-30
Engine Coolant
c
Engine
Running
it While You’re Parked ................. 2-31
9-4

Hook. Garment ................................. 2-51
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-21
Adding
.................................... 6-2 1
Hydroplaning ................................... 4- 16
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Checking
................................... 6-21
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
......... 5-28
Ignition Key Positions
........................... 2- 13
Ignition Switch
................................. 2- 13
Illuminated Entry System
.......................... 2-5
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-47
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-40
Restraint Systems
............................ 7-40
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-40
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Inspections
Brakesystem
............................... 7-40
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Bootandseal
.............................. 7-40
Instrument Panel Cluster Gage
....................................... 2-57
.Standard
................................... 2-56
Instrument Panel Intensity Control ................. 2-43
Instrument Panel, Cleaning
....................... 6-44
J ack. Tire .................................... 5-20
Jump Starting ................................... 5-2 Key
Lock Cylinders
............................ 7-37
Key Release Button
............................. 2-14
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-13
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Lamp Controls
................................ 2-35
Lamp, Underhood
.............................. 6-11
Lamps, Daytime Running
........................ 2-44
Lamps On Reminder
............................ 2-36
Lane Change Indicator
........................... 2-34
Larger Children, Safety Belt Use
................... 1-44
Latches, Front Seatback
........................... 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-28
Air Bag Readiness
...................... 1-20, 2-60
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
........... 2-63, 4-6
Brake System Warning
........................ 2-62
Charging System
............................. 2-60
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............ 2-64
EngineOil
.................................. 2-67
Engine Oil Pressure
.......................... 2-67
Low Coolant Level
........................... 2-65
Low Washer Fluid Warning
.................... 2-70
Safety Belt Warning
...................... 1-7, 2-59
Up Shift (Manual Transaxle)
.............. 2-24, 2-61
LampTrunk
................................... 2-46
Lamps, Fog
................................... 2-44
Lights CheckGages
................................ 2-66
CheckOil
.................................. 2-68
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon)
. 2-65
9-6

Odometer. Tamper Resistant ..................... 2-58
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-58
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 10
Check Oil Warning Light
...................... 2-68
Engine
..................................... 6-11
Pressure Gage
............................... 2-66
WamingLight
............................... 2-67
OwnerPublications
............................ 8-7
Service Bulletins
.............................. 8-7
Service Manuals
.............................. 8-7
Overdrive Position, Automatic Transaxle
............ 2-21
Overheated Engine
.............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-36
Owner Publications, Ordering
...................... 8-7
Oil
Ordering
i Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-48
Park (P). Shifting Into
........................... 2-27
Park (P). Shifting Out of
......................... 2-29
Park (P) Position. Automatic Transaxle
.............. 2-19
Parking AtNight
................................... 2-12
On Hills While Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-30
Your Vehicle. Manual Transaxle ................. 2-29
ParkingBrake
.................................. 2-26
Parking Brake Release
........................... 2-26
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-40
Passing ....................................... 4-10
PowerDoorLocks
............................... 2-4 Power Remote Control Mirrors
.................... 2-48
Power Steering
.................................. 4-8
Checking
................................... 6-24
Power Windows
................................ 2-32
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-25
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner
.................... 8-7
PowerSeat
..................................... 1-3
Power Steering Fluid Adding
.................................... 6-24
Radio Reception. Understanding
.................. 3-14
Radios A"Stere0
............................... 3-6
A" Stereo Radio with Compact Disc Player ... 3-10
A" Stereo Radio with Cassette Tape Player ..... 3-8
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-14
Reading Lamps Front
...................................2-45, 46
Rear
....................................... 2-46
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-5
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
.................. 1-29
Rear Seat Cup Holder
........................... 2-50
Rear Seat Outside Position
........................ 1-26
Rear Seat Passengers
............................ 1-26
RearTowing
................................... 5-11
Rear Window Defogger
........................... 3-4
Rear Window Defogger Antenna
................... 3-17
Rearview Mirror, Inside Day/ Night
................ 2-47
Reclining Front Seatbacks
.......................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............ 7-41, 42
9-8