light OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1997, Model line: CUTLASS, Model: OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997Pages: 353, PDF Size: 16.72 MB
Page 233 of 353

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL
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 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 oil must
be
warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is yellow ,and
located on the front of
the engine.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 239 of 353

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
Page 241 of 353

Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment.
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.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark.
If the light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 246 of 353

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
Page 260 of 353

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Adrninistration, 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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 264 of 353

Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Oldsmobile retailer has two cleaners, a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
often. A soft brush may be used
if stains are stubborn.
only.
If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
area immediately or it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds
only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe
off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
6-41
ProCarManuals.com
Page 265 of 353

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
Page 274 of 353

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself.
This
greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by
electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick a feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can. Also, there are spare fuses
in the left side instrument panel fuse block door.
There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: two
instrument panel fuse blocks and the engine
compartment fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse
blocks are located at each end
of the instrument panel.
To access the fuses, open
the fuse panel door by
pulling out.
To replace the door, insert
the hooks at the front end
first, then push the door in
to the instrument panel to secure it.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 276 of 353

Instrument Panel Fuse Block - Right
SEE OTHER END CAP FOR FUSE PULLER AND SPARE FUSES
CIRCUIT
0
MICRO
E n FOGLPS
0
B. CRUISE SW A. INST LPS
C. HVAC BLOWER
D. CRUISE E. FOG LPS F. INT LPS G. RDO BAlT H. SUNROOF
Usage
Instrument Panel Lights, Dimmer
Cruise Control
Climate Control System MICRO
RELAY
FOG LPS
Usage
Cruise Control
Fog Lamps Interior Lamps,
Body Function
Control Module
Radio
Sunroof
Power Windows
Fog Lamps
6-53
ProCarManuals.com
Page 278 of 353

Fuse
Maxi-Fuses
4)
Usage
Right-hand Electrical Center-Fog
Lamps, Radio, Body Function Control Module, Interior Lamps
Ignition Switch
Not Used
Anti-Lock Brakes
Cooling Fans
Rear Defog
Not Used
Anti-Lock Brakes Cooling Fan
HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
Cooling Fans
Cooling Fans 35)
36)
37)
Usage
Air Conditioning Compressor
Not Used
Fuel
Pump
Automatic Light Control
Automatic Light Control
Horn
Daytime Running Lamps
Spare Fuses
Rear Defog
Accessory Power Outlets, Cigar Lighter
Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-Lock Brakes
Air Conditioning Compressor,
Body Function Control Module
Automatic Transaxle
ProCarManuals.com