service OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Service Manual

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
fi SAMPLE4UXTM072675 I I
ENGINE A96 f ASSEMBLY I
I CODE MODEL YEAR
This is the legal identifier for your Aurora. It appears on
a plate in the front corner
of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the underside of the spare tire
cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
6-56
ProCarManuals.com

I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
I AT THE PROPER I
I I
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This section covers the maintenance required for your
Aurora. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
n
Protection
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Have you purchased th.e GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet,
01- your Aurora
retailer
for details.
ProCarManuals.com

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some
of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your retailer’s service department or another
qualified service center do these jobs.
Performing maintenance work on
a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work. “Part
B: Owner Checks and
Services” tells you what
should be checked whenever you stop for fuel.
It also
explains what you can easily do
to help keep your
vehicle in good condition.
“Part
C : Periodic Maintenance Inspections’’
explains important inspections that your Aurora
retailer’s service department or another qualified service
center should perform.
“Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products
GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part
E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write
it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition, it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
7-2
ProCarManuals.com

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly
how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive long
distances all the time
in very hot, dusty weather. You may
use your vehicle
in making deliveries. Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your Aurora retailer. This
part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them.
If you
go to your retailer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these.
All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
0 carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle’’ in the Index.
0 are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions
is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 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.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if you
operate your vehicle under any
of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine
oil to break down SOOIZ~C
your vehicle.
taxi, or other commercial application.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles (20
000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
At 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) - Then Every
30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Throttle Body Bore and
Valve Plates Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Definition Long Trip/Highway Intervals - , >.C -..: .~ . *- ~. ,- . :, ;_ . ~ !.::.:5 . ' ~~~ ~~_______~ yn.&, ... *l.D.i_ct-
Follow this maintenance schedule only it none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break down
slower.
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every
12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) - Then Every
15,000 Miles
(25 000 km): Tire Rotation.
At 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) - Then Every
30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Throttle Body Bore and
Valve Plates Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the
following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule ?
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
3‘ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
* Your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
monitor will show you when to change the oil
-- usually
between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles
(12 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions the indicator may come on before
3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil.
So if you
drive in a dusty area be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the Oil Life Monitor
when the oil has been changed. For more information,
see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
€
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
An Emission Control Service. *
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage
(or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY.
ProCarManuals.com

)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
t
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
Miles (20 008 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage
(or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
- .-
ProCarManuals.com

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect throttle body bore and valve plates
for deposits, open the throttle valve and
inspect all surfaces. Clean as required.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
An Emission Control Service. *
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage
(or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-9
ProCarManuals.com