coolant temperature Oldsmobile Aurora 1997 Owner's Manuals

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
A r ~UTIO: :
I- -
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded 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.
In very cold weather,
0 “F (- 18 O 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.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and 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.
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 110-volt AC outlet.
2-24

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
280
n 100
Q
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
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.
If the coolant temperature is over 26 1 OF ( 127’ 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.
The section “Problems on the Road,” in this manual
explains 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.
2-74

Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO-PUSH knob when you want the system
to automatically adjust the interior temperature to your
preference. When the system is set for 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.
To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
automatic mode by pressing 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°F (24"C), on the display. Give the vehicle
about
20 minutes to stabilize and then readjust the
comfort setting if necessary. 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.
I A I
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 toward 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, push the
OFF
button located in the Driver Information Center (DIC) for
two seconds. The display
in the DIC will also change from
an English
to a Metric display. To return to an English
display, repeat
the above procedure.
3-4

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.
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
OFF.
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.
3-7

Attach a separate
safety chain around the
outboard end of each
lower control arm.
Engine Overheating
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. In this mode,
you will notice a
loss in power and engine performance.
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.
I 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 will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset
the oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil, When to
Change” in the Index.
5-14

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid
to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to
the proper level.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
Lx
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one pint The following explains
Your cooling system and how to
(0.5 L). Don’t overjill. add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
NOTICE: A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL’
coolant will:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON’III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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.

If the message LOW ENGINE COOLANT is displayed
on your message center,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL’
coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
I A CAUTION: I
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.
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.
6-25

Right Front Passenger ......................... 3-10
Steering Wheel
............................... 3- 10
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3- 11
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-30
Compact Disc Changer. Trunk Mounted
............. 3-22
Compact Disc Errors
.......................... 3-24
Loading the Magazine
......................... 3-22
Playing a Compact Disc
........................ 3-24
Compact.Disc Player
....................... 3-15. 3-21
Errors
................................. 3.15. 3.21
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-34
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-56
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-54
Coolant
....................................... 6-21
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-24
SurgeTank
.................................. 5-19
TemperatureGage
............................ 2-74
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Cornering Lamps
............................... 2-45
CourtesyLamps
................................ 2-47
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control ................................. 2-40
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-59
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-58
Date Display
................................... 2-85
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-44
Customer Assistance
for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
DeadBattery
................................... 5-3 Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-9
Defogging
..................................... 3-9
Defrosting
..................................... 3-9
Delayed Illumination
............................ 2-47
Delayed Locking
............................... 2-12
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-74
Distan e to Destination
.......................... 2-84
Dolby
& B Noise Reduction .................. 3.14. 3.20
Door AjarReminder
................................ 2-5
Central Unlocking System
....................... 2-4
Drive Position. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-27
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-80
Driver Position
................................. 1 . 11
Driving
City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
Night
...................................... 4-16
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
on Snow or Ice
............................... 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
DIC
.......................................... 2-80
Locks
....................................... 2-4
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-37
9-3

Drunken Driving ................................ 4-3
Elapsed Time Indicator
......................... 2-85
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2.23. 3.29. 6-62
Electrical System
............................... 6-62
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-50
Electronic Climate Control
........................ 3-2
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-3 1
Engine (Message (DIC)
.......................... 2-82
Engine
....................................... 6-10
Accessory Belt
............................... 6-75
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-24
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-74
Exhaust
..................................... 2-32
FuseBlocks
................................. 6-63
Identification
................................ 6-6 1
OilLevelCheck .............................. 7-39
Overheating
................................. 5-14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-74
StartingYour
................................ 2-22
Engineoil
.................................... 6-11
Adding
..................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6-11
Life Monitor ................................. 2-82
Pressure Light
............................... 2-77
Used
....................................... 6-15
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14 Estimated Time
of Arrival
........................ 2-84
Exit Lighting
.................................. 2-47
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-34
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-32
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-53
Fan Knob. Climate Control System
.................. 3-3
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-15
Finish Care
.................................... 6-57
Finish Damage
................................. 6-59
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-27
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass Feature
........................... 2-38
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-73
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-44
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
FrenchLanguageManual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-11
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-3
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-79
RangeDisplay
............................... 2-82
UsedDisplay
................................ 2-81
Used Reset. Driver Information Center
............ 2-81
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-63
.. ...........................
Front Storage Armrest ........................... 2-55
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
9-4

Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-74
Fuel
....................................... 2-79
Garage
Door Opener ............................ 2-61
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
GloveBox
.................................... 2-54
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en FranCais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6
Headlamps
............................... 2-37. 2-44
Aiming
..................................... 6-3 7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-34
HigWLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-38
Wiring
..................................... 6-62
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heated Outside Mirror
........................... 2-54
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-4
Heating ........................................ 3-7
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-38
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-34
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-20 Ignition
Positions
.............................. 2-21
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-48
Inadvertent Load Protection
....................... 2-50
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inspections
.................................... 7-43
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot and Seal
........... 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-43
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-64
Brightness Control
............................ 2-46
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Cluster
..................................... 2-66
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-63
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-46
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-43
Ignition Transaxle
Lock Check
.................... 7-42
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-26
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-40
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-22
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-61
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30