coolant temperature OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 “C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 IO-volt AC outlet.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungroundea outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Aurora retailer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The retailer can give
you the best advice
for that particular area.
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Xkaction Control System Active Light
TRACTION ACTIVE
When your traction control
system is limiting wheel
spin, this light will come on.
Slippery road conditions
may exist if the traction
control system active light
comes on,
so adjust your
driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin. If
the gage pointer moves into the red warning zone,
your engine is hot. To prevent engine overheating, the
air conditioning compressor will turn off automatically,
a fast-pulsed chime will sound, and the message
ENGINE
HOT ... A/C OFF will appear in the information
center.
As the engine cools down, the air conditioning
compressor will automatically turn back on.
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If the coolant temperature is over 261 OF ( 127 O C), the
message HOT
... STOP ENGINE will appear. It means
that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have
been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do, See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
If your coolant level is low, the message LOW ENGINE
COOLANT will appear on the Driver Information
Center. Check your coolant level as soon as possible.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
Your Aurora is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called
OBD I1 (&-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will
be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This
system is also designed
to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO-PUSH knob when you want the system
to automatically adjust to changes in the temperature
inside the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun
load on the vehicle. When the system
is set for 4%
automatic operation, air will come from the floor, upper
or the windshield outlets depending on the temperature
inside the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun
load. Fan speed will vary as the system reaches and
.................
maintains the comfort setting you have selected.
. 7* -
....................................................................... \
To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
automatic mode by depressing the AUTO-PUSH knob.
Adjust
the comfort setting by using the red and blue
buttons located below the digital display until you reach a
value of
75 OF (24"C), on the display. Give the vehicle
about
20 minutes to stabilize and then adjust the comfort
setting
if necessary, through the use of the red and blue
buttons. The display will show
the comfort setting for five
seconds and then it will show the outside temperature.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the fan
to avoid blowing cold air. The length
of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Rotating the AUTO FAN knob will
override this delay by turning off the automatic fan
mode and changing the fan speed. Your
automatic electronic climate control system has
two sun sensors located on the top of the instrument
panel that detect direct sunlight. To keep you and your
passengers comfortable, the system may supply cooler
air to the
side towards the sun. Be careful not to put
anything over these sun sensors. The automatic
electronic climate control system may not operate
correctly if these sensors are covered.
To change the automatic electronic climate control
display from an English display to a Metric display, hold
down the OFF button located in the Driver Information
Center for five seconds. The display in the Driver
Information Center will also change from an English to
a Metric display.
To return to an English display, repeat
the above procedure.
3-3
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Heating
In cold weather, if the automatic mode is selected
(AUTO-PUSH knob indicator light is on), the system
will automatically direct the airflow out
of the lower
floor outlets and the temperature door will be positioned
at the full hot position. You can choose the extreme
comfort setting of
90°F (32°C) but the system will
not warm up
any faster by selecting the extreme
comfort setting.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the
fan to avoid blowing cold air. The length
of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. The fan speed will increase as the
temperature
of the engine coolant increases. Rotating the
AUTO
FAN knob will override this delay by turning
off the automatic
fan control mode and changing the
fan speed.
t
Ventilation System
Your Aurora’s flow-through ventilation system always
allows outside air to flow through your vehicle when
it
is moving, even when the system is in the OFF position. The
direction
of the air can be controlled by adjusting or
closing the outlets in the instrument panel. Rotate the
control between the front outlets upward to open the
outlets and downward to close the outlets. Adjust the
direction
of airflow from side to side with the controls in
each outlet.
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Attach a separate safety
chain around the outboard
end
of each lower control
arm.
Engine Overh -. hg
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Aurora’s instrument panel.
Your information center will
also display messages about engine overheating. See
“Coolant Temperature Gage” in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message
HOT STOP ENGINE is displayed, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of four
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. This operating
mode allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in
an emergency; you may drive up to
50 miles (80 km).
Towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Y
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine
to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil may be severely degraded. Change
the oil and reset the oil life indicator. See “Engine
Oil, When to Change” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
A
50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Aurora will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If
silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months whichever
occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half cEean, water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If
you use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything
else. A special procedure is required for adding sealer;
see the Aurora Service Manual.
(To order a service
manual, see “Service Publications’’ in the Index.)
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You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
Adding 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.
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Engine ................................... 2.76. 6.9
Accessory Belt
............................... 6-70
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-22
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-38
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-68
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Fuse Blocks
................................. 6-66
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-38
Overheating
................................. 5-14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-3 1
Specifications
................................ 6-69
StartingYour
................................ 2-20
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-12
Checking
................................... 6- 10
Life Monitor ................................. 2-76
Pressure Light
............................... 2-72
Used
....................................... 6-13
Whentochange
.............................. 6-13
Estimated Time
of Arrival ........................ 2-78
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Exit Lighting
.................................. 2-46
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-32
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fan Knob. Climate Control System
.................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-14
Finish Care .................................... 6-53
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Flash-to-Pass Feature
........................... 2-36
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-68
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-43
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-3
French LanguageManual
11
Front Storage Armrest ........................... 2-50
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Canada
...................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-73
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-3
RangeDisplay
............................... 2-76
UsedDisplay
................................ 2-75
Used Reset, Driver Information Center
............ 2-75
FogLamps
.................................... 2-43
.. ...........................
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-58
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-68
Fuel
....................................... 2-73
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
GloveBox
.................................... 2-50
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en FranGais
-11 .. ................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
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Second Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................. 2-25
Selectable Shift
................................ 2-26
Service
........................................ 6-1
. Bulletins, Ordering ............................. 8-9
EngineSoonLight
............................ 2-69
Manuals, Ordering
............................. 8-9
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-56
Publications, Ordering
.......................... 8-9
Work, Doing Your Own
......................... 6-1
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Aurora
........... 1-23
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-54
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-23
Into Park (P)
................................. 2-27
Out of Park (P)
............................... 2-29
Selectable
................................... 2-26
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-23
Shoulder Belt Tightness Adjustment
................ 1 - 13
Signaling Turns
................................ 2-34
Sound Equipment, Adding
........................ 3-26
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-68
Specifications, Engine
........................... 6-69
Speedometer
................................... 2-61
Stains, Cleaning
................................ 6-50
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-20
Service
and Owner Publications
.................... 8-9
Shifting
Skidding
...................................... 4- 14
Spare Tire, Compact
............................. 5-34
Speech Impaired, Customer Assistance
............... 8-3
SRS
......................................... 1-18
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-40
Steam ........................................ 5-15 Steering
...................................... 4-10
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-41
In Emergencies ............................... 4-11
Magnasteer
................................ 4-10
Wheel, Tilt
.................................. 2-33
Steering Wheel Controls
.................... 3- 10, 3-25
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-50
Storage, Vehicle
................................ 6-31
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
.................. 5-35
Sunroof
....................................... 2-54
Sun Visors
.................................... 2-53
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-18
Surge Tank, Coolant
............................. 5-18
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
......................... 6-22
Symbols, Vehicle
.................................. v
Tachometer .................................. 2-62
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-37
Tape Player Care
............................... 3-26
Temperature Control, Passenger
.................... 3-9
TheaterDimming
............................... 2-45
Theft
......................................... 2-14
THEFTLOCK
TM ................................ 3-23
Thermostat
.................................... 6-23
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-25
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-33
Time Out Feature
............................... 2-45
Time, Setting the
............................... 3-10
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-29
Power
...................................... 4-10
Tips
........................................ 4-10
Temperature Button, Climate Control System
.......... 3-2
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