check oil OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 Owners Manual

Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
warning lights work together to let you know when
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer there’s a txoblem with your vehicle.
NOTICE: with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
in the red area, or when the message
HOT ... REDUCE ENGINE RPM is displayed.
Engine damage may
occur.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one
of the gages shows
there may be
a problem, check the section that tells you I I what to do about it, Please follow this manual’s advice.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on your
vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before
it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could
also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a
problem with one
of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see
in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briefly when
you start the engine just to let
you know they’re worlung.
If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens. Waiting
to do
repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They‘re a big help.
Your vehicle
also has a Driver Information Center that
works along
with the warning lights and gages. See
“Driver Information Center”
in the Index.
To
turn off messages on the center, except LOW OIL
PRESSURE, LOW BRAKE FLUID, PARK BRAKE
SET and the hot engine warnings, press any button on
the Driver Information Center.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors
operation of your fuel,
0
ignition and emission
controls systems. This light
should come on when you
start your engine
as a check
to show you
it is working.
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away.
If it stays on, or it comes on while you are driving, the
computer is indicating that you have
a problem. You
should take your vehicle
in for service soon.
~
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while the emission controls won’t
work as well, your fuel economy won’t be as
good, and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
OIL
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving. A warning
chime and the message
LOW
OIL PRESSURE may
also come on.
These indicate that oil is not going through your engine
quickly enough
to keep it cool. The engine could be low
on oil, or could have some other oil problem. Have
it
fixed right away.
The oil light could
also come on in three other
situations:
0 When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light
will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition
to START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition
on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
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Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE or TRNS
FLUID yourself after each oil or transaxle fluid change.
It will not reset itself. Also, be careful not to reset the
OIL LIFE or TRNS FLUID accidentally at any time
other than when the oil or transaxle fluid has just been
changed. It can’t be reset accurately until the next oil or
transaxle fluid change.
The Driver Information Center does not replace the need
to maintain your vehicle as recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. Also, the oil
change reminder will not detect dusty conditions or
engine malfunctions that may affect the oil. If you drive
in dusty areas, change your oil after every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or three months, whichever comes first,
unless the
DIC instructs you to do so sooner. Also, the
oil change reminder does not measure how much oil you
have in your engine.
So, be sure to check your oil level
often.. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Check Oil Level Warning
When CHECK OIL LEVEL appears, it indicates that the
engine oil level is
1 to 1 1/2 quarts (0.9 L to 1.4 L) low.
The message will appear only if the engine is running
and it’s been at least eight minutes since the engine was
last running. If the message appears, check the oil
dipstick level. If
it reads low, your oil level should be
brought up to the proper level (see “Engine Oil” in the\

Index). After bringing the oil to the proper level, the
ignition must be
off for eight minutes to allow the
majority of oil to drain into the oil pan.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
0
0
0
0
0
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Wi~~clsl~ield Wcuher F11,fid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blcrdes: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other. Fluicls: Have YOLI checked
all levels?
Lunlps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure'?
Weatl?er Forecnsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Mcrps: Do you have up-to-date maps'?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as "highway nypnosis"?
Or is
it just plain fdling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the
hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road
in less tlml u second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take
a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
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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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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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