engine coolant OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1996 User Guide

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during I
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the.
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
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I
Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot
in the hood. You may
have a lamp that comes on when you lift the hood.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic
or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
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When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
A. Transmission Dipstick
B. Engine Oil
Fill
C. Brake Master Cylinder D.
Coolant Recovery Tank
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Power Steering Reservoir
G. Battery
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
6-8
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Rear Axle What to Use
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level
to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
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
S 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 SO/SO mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Oldsmobile
will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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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
clean 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 CAUl ,ON:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair
cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Too
much water in the mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have
your retailer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
imnrove the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL HOT, or a little higher.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
'hrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little 0- when the engine and radiator are hot. 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.
I
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Radiator Pressure Cap
I
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on
the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
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.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (144 000 km)
Cl Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.?
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
17 Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reac hes
90 O F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under uny of tlzese
conditions, the jluid
andji‘ltev do not require changing.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
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97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
footnote
# (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.**
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
An Emission Control Service.
,.
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every 60’months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.Jf
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
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