warning light Oldsmobile Aurora 1998 s Owner's Guide

Engine Oil
73
OIL
If the CHECK OIL 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 Pressure 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 02 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.
Checking 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 Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of 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.

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.
J
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 DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129 “C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL 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. Damage caused by the
use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you 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.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
6-28

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes
are first applied or lightly
applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts
are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in
the proper sequence
to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of
this manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
6-30

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed
by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to
30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a
half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt
and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
6-48

@ Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-55
Air Bag
....................................... 1-21
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-24
How it Works
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22, 2.65
Servicing
................................... 1-26
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-6
Air Control. Climate Control System
............. 3-3. 3-5
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-49
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
............. 6-56
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-27
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-2 1
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-68. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Lockout Feature
............................ 2-9
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-2 1
Appearance Care ............................... 6-5 1
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-53
Air
Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-7 1
Alarm. Universal Theft-Deterrent .................. 2- 16 Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Assist Handles
................................. 2-55
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel
................... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-25
Audio Systems
................................. 3-11
Automatic DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Electronic Climate Control
...................... 3-2
Overdrive
................................... 2-26
Check
...................................... 7-15
Fluid
....................................... 6-18
Operation
................................... 2-24
ParkMechanismCheck
........................ 7-17
Auto-Push Knob. Climate Control
.................. 3-2
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-54
Automatic Transaxle Averagespeed
................................. 2-77
Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement
............... 6-40
Battery
....................................... 6-31
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
.............. 2-13
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Warning Light
............................... 2-66
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
9-1

Battery Voltage Message ......................... 2-77
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Belt. Engine Accessory
.......................... 6-72
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Blizzard
...................................... 4-27
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-30
Fluid
....................................... 6-28
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-28
Parkmg
..................................... 2-27
PedalTravel
................................. 6-30
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-3 1
System Warning Light
......................... 2-66
Trailer
...................................... 4-34
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7- 16
Wear
....................................... 6-30
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 19
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-45
BTSICheck
................................... 7-16
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Exterior Front
................................ 6-33
Exterior Rear
................................ 6-38
Interior Lamps
............................... 6-42
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-70
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2- 15. 2.3 1.2.32.4.28. 4.34 Cassette
Deck Service
........................... 7-14
Cassette Tape Player
............................ 3-14
Care
....................................... 3-25
Errors
...................................... 3-14
Cellular Telephone
.............................. 2-55
Center Passenger Position ........................ 1-32
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-5
Certification Label .............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-34
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-50
Change Oil Soon Message
........................ 2-78
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-24
Check Oil Level Warning
......................... 2-79
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-51
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-57
Child Restraints ................................ 1-37
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-42
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-44
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-46
TopStrap
................................... 1-42
WheretoPut
................................ 1-41
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-54
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-61
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-15
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
................... 6-56
Fabric
...................................... 6-52
Glass
....................................... 6-54
Inside of
Your Vehicle ......................... 6-51
Instrumentpanel
............................. 6-53
Leather
..................................... 6-53
9-2

Driving City
........................................ 4-20
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-21
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-27
IntheRain
.................................. 4-17
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-36
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-23
On Snow
or Ice .............................. 4-26
Throughwater
............................... 4-19
WetRoads .................................. 4-17
Winter
...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer
................................ 4-35
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-3
Night
...................................... 4-16
Elapsed Time Indicator
......................... 2-80
Electrical Equipment. Adding ........... 2.22. 3.25. 6-60
Electrical System
............................... 6-60
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-48
Electronic Climate Control
........................ 3-2
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-3 1
Engine ....................................... 6-10
Accessory Belt
............................... 6-72
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-23
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7- 14
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-70
Exhaust
..................................... 2-31 Fuse Blocks
................................. 6-69
Identification
................................ 6-59
OilLevelCheck .............................. 7-14
Overheating
................................. 5-14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-71
Starting Your
................................ 2-21
Engine Message (DIC)
........................... 2-77
EngineOil
.................................... 6-11
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checlung
................................... 6-11
Life Monitor ................................. 2-78
Pressure Light
............................... 2-73
Used
....................................... 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Estimated Time
of Arrival ........................ 2-79
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting
.................................. 2-46
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-33
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-52
Fan Knob. Climate Control System
.................. 3-3
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finish Care
.................................... 6-55
Finish Damage
................................. 6-57
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-26
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-To-Pass Feature ........................... 2-37
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-24
9-4

Exhaust Systems ............................. 7- 18
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot and Seal
........... 7- 18
Steering
.................................... 7-18
Suspension
.................................. 7-18
Throttle System
.............................. 7- 19
InstrumentPanel ............................... 2-60
Brightness Control
............................ 2-45
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
Cluster
..................................... 2-62
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-62
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-45
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-42
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-26
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-15
Key Reminder Warning .......................... 2-21
Keyless Entry
................................... 2-9
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-59
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-59
Lamps
........................................ 2-42
Cornering
................................... 2-44
Courtesy
.................................... 2-45
Interior
..................................... 2-45 OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Panel
....................................... 2-45
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-9
Level Control. Electronic
......................... 4-31
Light Sensor. Twilight Sentinel
.................... 2-44
Lighter ....................................... 2-54
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-22. 2-65
Battery Warning
.............................. 2-66
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-66
Engine Oil Pressure Light
...................... 2-73
Interior
..................................... 2-45
Parking Brake Indicator
........................ 2-67
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.65
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-71
Traction Active
................................ 4-9
Traction Control System Active
.............. 2.69. 4.9
Traction Off Warning
........................... 4-9
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29
Anti-Lockout Feature
.......................... 2-9
Automatic Door
............................... 2-5
Cylinders ................................... 7-15
DelayedLocking .............................. 2-6
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-17
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-15
Memory Door ............................ 2.5. 2.11
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.68. 4.7
Traction Control System Warning
............ 2.68. 4.9
Locks
......................................... 2-4

Remote Lock Control ............................. 2-9
Memory Seat and Mirrors
.................. 1.3. 2. 11
Personalization
............................... 2- 11
SecurityFeedback ............................ 2-11
Bulbs ...................................... 6-70
Parts
....................................... 6-71
Wheel
...................................... 6-49
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-52
Reporting Safety Defects
.......................... 8-8
Restraints
Checking
................................... 1-51
Child
....................................... 1-37
Head
........................................ 1-7
Replacing Parts After a Crash
................... 1-52
Systemcheck
................................ 7-15
Retained Accessory Power
........................ 2-21
Reverse. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-21
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-5
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-6
Rocking
Your Vehicle ........................... 5-34
Rotation. Tires
................................. 6-45
Resynchronization
............................ 2- 10
Replacement
safety Belt Extender
............................ 1-51
Safety Belts
.................................... 1-7
Adults
...................................... 1-13
Care
....................................... 6-53
Center Passenger Position
...................... 1-32
Children
.................................... 1-34 Driver Position
............................... 1 . 13
Extender
.................................... 1-51
How to Wear Properly
......................... 1 . 13
Incorrect Usage
.................... 1.16.1.49. 1.50
LapBelt
.................................... 1-33
Lap-Shoulder
........................... 1 . 13. 1.27
LargerChildren
.............................. 1-48
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Comfort Guides
.......................... 1-30
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............ 1-27
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-27
Reminder Light
.......................... 1.8. 2.65
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-52
Shoulder Belt Tightness Adjustment
.............. 1-14
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-34
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-20
WhyTheyWork
............................... 1-9
SafetyChains
.................................. 4-34
Safety Defects. Reporting
......................... 8-8
Safety Warnings and Symbols
....................... 111
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-4
Seat Cushion. Removing the Rear
.................. 6-64
Seatback. Reclining Front ......................... 1-6
Seats Controls
..................................... 1-2
Heated
...................................... 1-5
Lumbar Control ............................... 1 . 3
Memory Seat and Mirrors .................. 1.3. 2. 11
Power
....................................... 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint
............ 1.42. 1.44. 1.46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-21
...
9-9