engine OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 Repair Manual

What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be
identified by looking for the ‘bStarburst” symbol. The
“Starburst” symbol indicates that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
If you change your own oil, be sure you use oil that has
the “Starburst” symbol
on the front of the oil container.
If you have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VlSCOSlTV GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
I-.
SAE lunl-30 PREFERRED
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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As shown in the chart, SAE 10W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE SW-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it‘s very cold. you should use
SAE
SW-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
X SAE 2OW-SO.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Aurora 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:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to I0 miles (8 to 16 km).
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 on 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. (See
“Change Oil Message”
in the Index.) If the CHANGE
OIL NOW message appears in the Driver Information
Center,
you should change your oil.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles
( 12 SO0 km) or 12 months -- whichever
colnes first. (See “Change Oil Message’‘
in the Index.)
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change.
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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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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 Aurora will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C)
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128°C).
0 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 c.lt.crr~ wwtor (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification 182S-M,” which won‘t damage aluminum
parts.
You call also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M
with a complete coolant tlush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any cotnplete coolant flush and refill. If you use
this mixture, you don‘t need to add anything else.
A
special procedure is required for adding sealer; see the
ALI~o~~ Service Manual. (To order a service 1nanual. see
”Service Publications“
in the Index.)
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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.
Adding Coolant
The engine coolant
surge tank is located
on the driver’s side
of
the engine
compartment.
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or
a little higher. If the message
LOW ENGINE COOLANT is displayed on your
message center, it means you’re low on engine coolant.
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To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. Add
enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
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should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or
won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’
your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a
leak. If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings.
You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls
to a low level, your brake
warning light
will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive
with this warning light on. See “Brake
System Warning Light”
in the Index. What to
Add
When
you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
I NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid. 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’ll have to be
replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful
not
to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care” in the Index.
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Headlamp Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see "Replacement Bulbs'' in the
Index.
Low Beam Bulbs
1. Remove the air cleaner cover to get to the driver's
side headlamp bulb.
To do this:
a. Remove the radiator hose (A) from the resonator
channel.
b. 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. Turn the wing
screw counterclockwise, then detach the hose
from
the air cleaner cover.
c. Push the duct and resonator assembly
(C) rearward
and up, and hold them out of the way.
2. Twist the bulb assembly 1/6 turn and pull out the
bulb assembly.
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