engine overheat OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 User Guide

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but \
you
must use caution.
~ ~~ ~
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast whiIe shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Oldsmobile retail
facility Service Department and have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have your fluid level checked
by your retailer or service center when you have your
oil changed.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
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
TM 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” in
the Index.
A 50/50 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 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 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
only
DEX-COOL TM (silicate-free) coolant.
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.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL” coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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 coolant.
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:
I I
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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Engine ........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6- 16
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 15
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Exhaust
...................... 2.10.2.25.4.27. 4.35
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-54
Identification
................................ 6-49
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-12
RunningWhileParked
......................... 2-27
Specifications
................................ 6-58
Starting Your
................................ 2-14
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6- 13
Checking
................................... 6-11
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-58
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-12
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-35
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4 Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
Following Distance with a Trailer
.................. 4-37
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling-Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-62
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-51
Gages
Fog Lamps
.................................... 2-37
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-62
Tachometer
.................................. 2-50
GarmentHook
................................. 2-45
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-17
GloveBox
.................................... 2-41
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
GVWR
....................................... 4-31
................................ Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-41 Halogen Bulbs 6-26
Filling
your ................................ 6-5 Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
Filter.
& ..................................... 6- 15 Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Finish Care
.................................... 6-45 Headlamps .................................... 2-35
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-20 HiglAow Beam Changer ...................... 2-29
............................ Finish Damage ................................. 6-47 Bulb Replacement 6-27
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2 OnReminder 2-35
Hash-to-Pass
.................................. 2-29 Wiring 6-50
................................
.....................................
9-4
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Lights (Continued) Low Wash
.................................. 2-60
Oil Pressure
................................. 2-58
Passlock Warning
........................... 2-59
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.5 1
Service Vehicle Soon
.......................... 2-61
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-30
Lock Out Switch
............................... 2-27
Locks
......................................... 2-4
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
Power Door
.................................. 2-5
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-55, 6- 18
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-38
Maintenance, Normal Replacement
Parts ........... 6-58
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-43
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-2
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7 -4 1
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-42
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Selecting the Right Schedule
..................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
RearDoorSecu
rity
............................. 2-5 Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-47
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Making
Turns with a Trailer ...................... 4-38
ManualFrontSeat
............................... 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-39
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirror Reading Lamps ........................... 2-38
Mirrors
....................................... 2-39
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-40
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-39
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-39
Outside
..................................... 2-39
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-40
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-43
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-28
Net, Convenience
.............................. 2-43
Neutral, Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-18
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-13
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Odometer
.................................... 2-49
Odometer, Trip
................................. 2-49
Oil, Engine
.................................... 6-10
Outside Mirror
................................. 2-39
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-55
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-58
9-6
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