service Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1995 s User Guide

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
APPLY BRAKE TO SHIF1
You have a gage that shows
the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage
pointer moves into the red
area, your engine is too hot!
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your
system is low on coolant
and the engine may
overheat. See “Engine
Coolsint” in the Index and
have your vehicle serviced
as soon as you can.
i COOLANT
That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
Hot Coolant Can Burn You Badly!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Ennine Overheatine” in the Index.

~ Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
1ESET
0
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
1 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.
,I.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while the emission controls won't
work as well, your fuel economy won't
be as good
and your en'gine may not run as smoothly. This
could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty.

use this type of cleaner, the radio may display an error'
and eject the cartridge.
This is nongal and is the result
of an added feature in the tape player that detects broken
tapes.
If an error occurs, you will need to insert the ;
cleaning cassette at least three times to thoroughly clean
the tape player.
You may prefer to use a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner.
This type of cleaner uses a fabrio belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaner cassette will not-
cause an error, but it may not ckan the tape player as
thoroughly as the scrubbing-type cleaner.
n scrubbing action cleaner is available through your
retailer
(GM Part No. 12344600).
Cassettes are subject 'to wear, and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always verify that the cassette tape
is
in good condition and the tape player is clean before
obtaining service on your tape player.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in th,eir original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth ,in
a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges
or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged.
If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the
mast
is badly bent, as it might be by van.dals, you should
replace it.
I
Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender.
3-19

3 Once you are m,oving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you-miss your exit do not, under
any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually. posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower’than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long- Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work
.-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in. Is your vehicle ready
for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile retailers all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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,Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other FZuids: Have you checked
all levels?
,
Lights: Are .they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread gaod enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time‘to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
,

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and
both^
your vehicle and the trailer can be darnaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
.I. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
.. !PARK (P) yet.
2. ‘Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK
(P).
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking o,n a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
8’. .
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is dear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for,more
.on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t oyerfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system, .and brake adjustment.
Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea
to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
4-34,

10. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection
is just as goad
there, but the chance of
sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
11. . Now start the vehicle with the good battery and'run
the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won't
start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
I
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B
. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
5-6

Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM retailer or a professional towing
service tow your Oldsmobile. The usual towing
equipment is:
A. Sling-type Tow Truck
B. Wheel-lift Tow Truck
C.
Car Carrier If
your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell
the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or
rear with sling-type equipment.
0 That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When
the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to see them.
5-7

r. ..
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed for towing service.
DQ not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be’in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’,t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels,
unless you must.. If the vehicle ‘must be towed
on the
front wheels, don’t go more
than 35 mph (56 km/h) or
farther than
50 miles (80 km) or your transaxle wilLbe
damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have
to be supported on a dolly.

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
tw this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
speed and open the window as necessary.
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving
--
DRIVE (D) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine
If there's still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you're parked, to see if
B. Radiator pressure cap
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
A. Coolant recovery tank ,
C. Electric engine fans
5-14

NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on check to
see if
the electric engine fan(s) are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan(s) should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the’coolant level
isn’t at the
COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze at the
coolant recovery ‘tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information about the proper coolant
mix
.)
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