oil OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 Owner's Manual

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

1
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on.
See “Brake System Warning
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing
it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work
well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
a
a
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish
can be
damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake fluid on
your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in the Index.
6-23
ProCarManuals.com

Front Exterior Bulbs
A
Headlamp and Front Wrn Signal Lamp
Bulb Replacement
When replacing a halogen bulb, do not touch the glass
portion of the bulb. The
oil from your fingers will
shorten the life of
your new halogen bulb. For the type
of bulb to use, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index.
I
1. With the hood open and the engine off, pull the
fastener out
of the plastic splash shield covering the
top of the headlamp assembly and remove it.
A. Front Turn Signal
B. High-Beam Headlamp
C. Low-Beam Headlamp
2. Carefully pull directly up on the two latches.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

Using Solvent-‘l[iype Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean
off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
1. Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife
or scraper.
2. Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the
outside of the stain, “feathering” toward the center.
3. Keep changing to a clean section of the cloth.
4. When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable
oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier. Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left
on a vehicle’s seat fabric. They should be removed as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will
dissolve them and may cause them to spread,
Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit
juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
2. If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
soiled area with
cool water.
described earlier.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
may have
to
do it more than once.
if you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a vinylfleather cleaner. See your retailer for
this product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a rnild soap or
saddle soap and wipe
dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally. Do not
use heat to dry.
0 For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
retailer
for this product.
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish,
it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult
to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts
only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
- - . ~- ~~ ~ ~ ~~ -~ -~ ~~ __ ~=
I
6-43
ProCarManuals.com

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Oldsmobile garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly,
dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied. The
surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners
or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
I NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces
on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
6-46
ProCarManuals.com

’ 3100 Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code ........................... M
Type .................................... V6
Displacement
........................ 3.1 Liters
Firing Order
...................... 1-2-3-4-5-6
Horsepower
............................. 155
Thermostat Temperature ........... 195°F (91°C)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Oldsmobile retailer.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element ......... AC Type A- 1279C
Engine Oil Filter ................ AC Type PF-47
Spark Plugs ..... AC Type 041-940 (Platinum Plug)
Gap:
0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Driver’s Side ................. 22 inches (56 cm)
Passenger’s Side
............... 19 inches (48 cm)
Dimensions
Length ......... I ......... 192 inches (487.8 cm)
Width
................... 69.4 inches (176.3 cm)
Height
................... 56.4 inches (143.2 cm)
Wheelbase
................ 107 inches (27 1.9 crn)
Front Tread
................ .59 inches (149.9 cm)
Rear Tread
............... 59.3 inches (150s cm)
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil
to break
down sooner
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule
is true. Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short TripKity schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a filly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slowel:
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs fist).
Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure
to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com