warning light Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1994 s User Guide

94
P
,w 0I.L LOW
EVEL COOLANT I
I
Low Coolant Wa-mjng Light
If this light comes on, your system is
low on coolant and the engine may
overheat.
See .the
Index. under Engine Coolant.
and have your vehicle serviced as.soon
as you can
...
LOW 'OIL .
LEV-E L; COOLA
Low Engine Oil- Level Warning
Light
(omorv)
Your engine may be equipped with an
oil level monitoring system. When. the
ignition key is turned on, the
LOW OIL
LEVEL light will briefly flash. If the
light stays
on, stop the vehicle on a level
surface and turn the engine off. Check
the oil level using the engine oil
dipstick. (See the
Index under Engine
Oil.) If the light does not flash, have the
low oil level sensor system repaired
so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a
problem.
NOTIC E:
The oil.leve1 monitoring system
only checks oil level during the
brief period between key on and
engine crank. It does not monitor
engine oil level when the engine is
running. Additionally, an oil level
check is only performed if the
engine has been turned off for a
considerable peri.od of time
allowing the oil normally in
circulation to drain back into the
oil pan.

Features & Controh
96
s
BRAKE (a)(@)
1
closer to the floor. It may take lang-er-to
stop. Ifthe light
is 'still -on, or-if.the anti-
lock brake system warning light is
flashing, have the vehicle towed .far
service. (See Anti-Lock Brake System
WarningLight
.and Towilzg .Your
Vehicle inthe Index.)

If the anti-lock brake system warning
light stays on longer than normal after
you’ve started your engine, turn the
ignition
off. Or, if the light comes on
and stays on when you’re driving, stop
as soon as possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the,engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving,
your Oldsmobile needs service. If the
light
is on but not flashing and the
regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t
have anti-lock brakes.
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
Malfunction. Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but the engine
is not running, as a check to show you
it is working.
If it does not come on at
all, have it fixed right away. If it stays
on, or it comes on while you are driving,
the computer is indicating that you
have a problem.
You should take your
vehicle in for service soon.
97

Your Driving and the Road
134
steering, acceleration, or braking
(including engine bralting by shifting to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes
could cause the tires to slide. You may
not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues
- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface”
- and slow down when you have any
doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to
reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may
need to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
speed roads. Your headlights can light
Slow down, especially on higher up
only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a
safe place and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the
daytime. But as we get older these
differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at
night as
a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also
affect your night vision. For example,
if
you spend the day in bright sunshine
you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to
night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear
sunglasses at night. They may cut down
on glare from headlights, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It can take a second
or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from
a driver who doesn’t lower the high
beams, or a vehicle with misaimed
i

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city
streets is the amount of traffic on them.
You'll want
to watch out for what the
other drivers are doing and pay
attention to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
IOnow the best way to get to where
you are going. Get a city map and
plan your trip into an unknown part
of the city just as you would for a
'cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and
cris.scross most large cities. You'll
save time and energy. (See the next
section,
Freeway Driving.)
Treat a green light as a warning
signal.
A traffic light is there because
the corner is busy enough to need it.
When
a light turns green, and just
before you start to move, check both
ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be
running the red light.
..
4 Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called
thruways,~ parkways, expressways,
turnpikes, or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their
own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep
to the right. Drive at the same speed
most of the other drivers are dtiving.
roo-fast
or too-slow dri,ving breaks a
smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane
on akeeway as a passing lane. -
At the entrance there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway.
If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should
begin to check traffic.
Try to determine
where you expect to blend with the
L

' Your Driving and the Road
and transaxle, and you can climb the
hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving
on two-lane roads in hills or
mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center
of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own
lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be
alert. There could be something in
your lane, like a stalled car or an
accident.
You may see highway signs on
mountains that warn of special
problems. Examples are long grades,
passing
or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert
to these and take appropriate action.
I Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Oldsmobile in good shape
for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant mix- is correct.
You may want to put winter
emergency supplies in your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or
broom, a supply
of windshield washer
fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth,
and a couple
of reflective warning
triangles. And,
if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a
small
bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a
couple
of burlap bags to help provide
traction. Be sure
you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.

Problems on the Road
150
4 Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you
warn others. They also let police know
you have a problem. Your front and real
turn signal lights will flash on and
off.
4 Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your Oldsmobile.
But please follow the steps below to do
it safely.
-
Slide the switch up to make your front
and rear turn signal lights flash on and
off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no
matter what position your key is in, and
even
if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, slide the switch
down.
When the hazard warning flashers are
on, your turn signals won't work.
4 Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can
set one up at the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.

Twin Dual Cam 3.4L V6: Ad,ding
Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
I Engine .Coolant
The follciwing explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If
you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if y0.u need to add
coolant to your radiator,
see Engine
Overheating in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
Give freezing protection down to-34”F
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect againstrust and corrosion.
(-37°C).
(128°C).
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use
temperature.
should.
Use
a mixture of one-half dean-water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specificatkm
1825-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts.
You can also use a
recycled coolant conforming
to GM
Specification 1825-M with
a complete coolant
flush and refill.
If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add
anything
else.

are worn, then you'll have. too much
ff uid when you get new brake linings.
YOU should add (or remove) brake
fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
194
When your brake fldd falls to a low
level, your brake warning light will
come on. See
Brake Syste-m Warning
Light in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use o.nly
DOT-3 brake fluid - such as Delco
Supreme
11s (GM Part No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container
only, .and always clean the brake
fluid reservoir cap
before
removing it.
Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has four-wheel disc
brakes.
Disc brake pads have builtin wear
indicators that make
a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. Be

Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall).
You should let your GM dealer’s service department or other qualified service center
do these jobs. Make sure any necessary
Bepairs are completed at once.
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Restraint Systems
Steering, Suspension
and FrontWheel-
Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection
Exhaust System
Inspection
Throttle Linkage
Inspection
Brake System Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Now and then, make sure all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, anchorages and
reminder systems are working properly. Look for any loose parts or damage.
If you see anything
that might keep a restraint system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts,
signs of wear, or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near the exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose connections, or
other conditions which could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes
into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust in the Index.
.. -
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts.
-Replace parts as needed.
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Inspect other bralte
parts, including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking bralte adj\
ustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
NOTE:-A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which may need to be serviced.
Also,
if the bralte system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong with the
brake system. See
Brake System Warning Light in the Index. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-
lock brakes and the anti-lock bralte system warning
light stays on, comes on or flashes, something
may be wrong with the anti-lock brake system. See
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light in the Index.
247