check engine OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 User Guide

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and
also the brakes, tire.s, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain
roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know
is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to
a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
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Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here‘s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and
then shift to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
I. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine:
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let LIP on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these
is covered in this manual, and ;he Index will
help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it‘s a good
idea to review these sections before you stat your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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You should always use the remote positive (+)
terminal instead of the positive (+) terminal on your
battery.
To open the remote positive (+) terminal box, pull
the tab and open the cover.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some things
you should know. Positive
(+) will go to positive (+)
and negative (-) will go to negative (-) or a metal
engine part. Don’t connect
(+) to (-) or you’ll get a
short that would damage the battery and maybe other
parts, too.
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The coolant level
should be at or above
FULL COLD. If it
isn’t and the LOW
ENGINE COOLANT
message appears on
the Driver Inforn~ation
Center, 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 if you keep running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in the Index.
I
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan(sj are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan(sj should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
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Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won't work well or at
all. With
continuous use, spark
plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle's oxygen sensor
will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn't be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact
a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
LIS where you're going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Remote Fuel Door Release
The remote fuel door release can help keep your fuel
tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel door
is closed and latched after refueling.
To open the fuel door
(on the left of the
vehicle), press the
button next to the
trunk release button,
to
the right of the
steering column. The
ignition need
not be
on. The remote fuel
door release
will work
in all transaxle
positions.
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Engine Accessory Belt
The 4.0L Aurora engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See”Maintenance Schedu1e”in the Index for
when to check the belt.
1. Tensioner Arm Pulley
2. Power Steering Pump Pulley
3. Idler Pulley 4.
Alternator Pulley
5. Air Conditioner Compressor Pulley
6. Harmonic Balancer
Engine Oil
If the CHECK 01L LEVEL message or the oil warning
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 Level Message” or
“Oil
Warning 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.
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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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line. then you’ll need
to add some oil.
But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity. see ”Capacities and Specifications”
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.
Just 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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Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have
to park outside
in very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or
colder.
If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
Air Cleaner
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, 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.
To Check or Replace the Air Filter
1. Remove hose (A) from resonator channel.
2. Release tension of the wing screw clamp (B) on the
air intake duct where
it attaches to the air cleaner
cover near the top of
the engine. Just turn the wing
screw counterclockwise, then detach the duct from
the air cleaner cover.
3. Push the duct and resonator assembly (C) rearward
and up, and hold out of the way.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner 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 in place when you’re driving.
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 Aurora Retail Facility
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.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93
"C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
0 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).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
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.
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