oil temperature Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1996 Owner's Manuals

Yneine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather,
0°F (- 18 O C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater
can help. You’ll get
I
easier starting and better
fuel economy during
engine warm-up.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying
to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Oldsmobile retailer in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The retailer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL l"'na'n~Y AND COLD STARTING, SELECf WE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY JIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
WOK
FOR THIS i HOT
WEATHER
COLD
WEATHER
SYMBOL
I- SAE I 1OW-30
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.1L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 1OW-30 if it'.s going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 2OW-50.
6-13

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENBlWE OILS ,
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT WE LOWEST
SM, WSCOSIlV GRADE OU FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANE.
HOT
WEATHER
'low
FOR THIS
SYlVlsOL
"C '
+a
+ 21
+ 16
+4
-7
- 18
COLD
sAE5w-30
above 0°F (-18%)
SAE 10W-M
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, .if you have the 3.4L engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your, vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be cqlder than 60°F
(1 6' C) before your next oil change. When it's very cold,
you should use'SAE
5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container
show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, s,uch as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the. American Petroleum
Institute Ceptified
For GasoIine Engines-
"Starburst" symbo1:Failure to
use the
recommended'oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
6-14

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anytkng to your oil. Your Oldsmobile retailer is
ready ‘to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
,’
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. If
none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil
to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
e€ements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your ’skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to
drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
6-15

I
Operating the.engine wi4.h the air cleaner oi’fcan
cause you or .others to be burned. The
air cleaner
not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires. Hit isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could
be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfii can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into
your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the
air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
-1 -. .. ..
Automatk Transaxle’ Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automaticdransaxle fiui,d
level is when the engine
oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and. filter ,every
30,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the, vehicle is mainly ‘driven under one or
more of these conditions:
’
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher;.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in :taxi, polide or delivery service. ,.,
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter
.. do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
I

How ,to Add Fluid Engine Coolant
I
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
~ kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended ,
1. Pull out the dipstick.
.2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove@ZZ. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, ‘because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
6-20
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain
in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, 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 OF ( 129 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

Capacities and Specifications
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement .... 7 quarts (6.7 L)
After Complete Overhaul ....... 10 quarts (9.5 L)
When draining transaxle convertel; more and/or less
converter fluid may be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir
3.1L (Code M) ............ 11.6 quarts (10.93 L)
3.4L (Code X) ............. 12.3 quarts (11.65 L)
Refrigerant (R- I34a),
Air Conditioning*
............. 2.0 pounds (0.91 kg)
Engine Specifications
Type .................................
Displacement ..........................
Compression Ratio .....................
Firingorder ..........................
Thermostat Temperature .................
Valve Arrangement .....................
Horsepower ...........................
Engine Crankcase -- Oil and Filter Change
3.1L L82 (Code M) ........... 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
3.4L LQ1
(Code X) ........... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Fuel Tank ................. 17.1 gallons (64.7 L)
*See “Air Conditioning Refrigerants” later in this section.
3.1L (Code M)
V6
191 CID (3.1L)
9.6: 1
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91°C)
In-Head
160 @ 5200
3.4L (Code X)
V6
207
CID (3.4L)
9.25: 1
1-2-3-4-5-6
195°F (91 “C)
In-Head
215 @ 5200
6-69

.Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short TripKity 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.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery .service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule ifyou
operate your vehicle under any
of these conditions is that
these conditions cause engine oil to break down soonez
Short TriplCity 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): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles
(20 000 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.
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles
(25 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection (3.4L Code
X engine only);
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark.Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete rnainten.ance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4

Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule -
50,000 Miles (83 000 km) I,
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
I more of these conditions:
. - In heavy city traffic where.the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
.(32"C) or higher.
- Inhilly or mountainous terrain.
I - When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
. If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
'delivery service.
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
I 51,000 Miles (85 000 I km)
0 Chage engine oil 'md filter (or every
. . 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
,
DATE .ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-15 f'
DATE ' ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
I
I I I

Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule I I
CI Change engine oil and. filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first);
0 Lubricate steering ball j:oints (or every
6 -months, whichever oecurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGF SERVICED BY:
I I I I ..
,"
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
?- - '
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid ,and filter ' :.:.I ,. ,
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or ,
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
' - temperature regulariy .reaches 90°F
(32* C) or higher.
- ~n hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
If yo; do not use your vehicle ,under any of these I
conditions, the9uid andfilter do not require changing.
delivery service. . .
.::
.
' DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE , SERVICED BY:
..