engine OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2003 Repair Manual

How to Reset the Oil Life System
The GM Oil Life SystemTM calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system
so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required.
If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE OIL SOON message being turned on,
reset the system.
Always reset the engine Oil Life System to
100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself.
To reset the OIL LIFE reminder, do the following:
1. With the ignition on, press the SELECT right arrow
on the DIC until you enter the OIL mode. The
current OIL LIFE percentage will be displayed.
2. Press and hold the DIC RESET button for about
five seconds. After five seconds, the display will
show OIL LIFE
XXX%. If OIL LIFE XXX% does not
appear on the display after about five seconds,
see your dealer for service. After you release the
DIC RESET button,
OIL LIFE 100% will appear
on the display.
What to Do with Used Oil
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 dispose of 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 threat to the environment.
If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never 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 dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 4. Install a new engine air cleanedfilter if needed.
5. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reinstall the cover.
Be sure the tabs of the cover fit into the slots of the
housing.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4 to determine when to replace the air filter.
The engine air cleanedfilter
is in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14 for more
information on location.
I o check or replace the englne air cleaner/tilter do the
following:
1. Unscrew the two wing screws on the outboard side
2. Remove the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleanedfilter.
of
the housing cover.
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Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air,
it stops
flame if the engine backfires. If
it isn't there
and the engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't drive with
it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleanedfilter
off.
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cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage
it.
Always have the air cleanerfiilter in place when
you're driving.
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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.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km).
service.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page
6-4 for automatic transaxle fluid change intervals.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership 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 or
exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid
could cause the transaxle to overheat.
Be sure
to get an accurate reading
if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to
drive longer.
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Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK
(P).
e With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transaxle fluid dipstick is located near
the front of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page
5-74 for more information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
paper towel.
then pull
it back out again.
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
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How to Add Fluid Engine Coolant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See
Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
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.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill.
Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-Ill, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-Ill is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in this
section. The
cooling system 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 extended life coolant.
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 on
page
5-28.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
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.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need
to add anything else. Adding
a plain water
to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other
liquid such as aicohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL@ coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze
ana crack ihe engine, raiiiaiur, bakr
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice: If you use the proper coolant, you don’t
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
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Checking Coolant
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids
to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap
- even a little - when the engine and
radiator are hot.
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~ The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the cold
level mark.
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle,
near the windshield. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page
5-74 for more information on location.
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If the LOW ENGINE COOLANT DIC message comes
on and stays on,
it means you’re low on engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
You can be burl 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 the arrow
lines up with the tube.
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank. but only when the
engine
is cool.
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Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The cooling system pressure cap is located on the
surge tank.
Notice: Your cooling system pressure cap is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. Your Driver Information
Center (DIC) will also display messages about engine
overheating. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-38.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
message HOT STOP
ENGINE is displayed, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
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. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
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 system. See “Engine
Oil” in the
Index.
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If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from
it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle
until it cools
down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood. If you keep driving when your engine
is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if
it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in the Index for information on driving
to a safe place
in an emergency.
Notice: If your engine catches fire because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index for
information on driving to a safe place
in an
emergency.
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