engine coolant OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1998 Owner's Manual

Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehcle is filled with
DEX-COOL
J 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’ 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
or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50150 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°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@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL 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. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
6-21
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.
Addlrlg only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system
is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture 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:
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.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is located in the engine
compartment behind the headlamp on
the driver’s side.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD mark or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to
HOT mark. To check
the coolant level, remove the cap on the coolant
recovery tank and verify that the coolant level is up to
the COLD fill level on the hose attached to
the cap, or a
little higher.
&I If this low coolant
warning light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to
the radiator. (See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.)
6-23
ProCarManuals.com

'
A CAUTION: I
'hrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
You can be burned if
you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap
line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system.
The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-24
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
0
0
0
0
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is
completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

I Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs
first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE
MILEAGE
ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY I
I DATE I
1 MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY: I
7-12
ProCarManuals.com

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems’’ in the
Index for further details.
7-13
ProCarManuals.com

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your retailer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in
the Index.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Power Steering System
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock Cylinders
Windshield Washer Solvent
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12377967 or
equivalent
DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube (GM Part
No.
12346241 or equivalent).
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 1051515) or
equivalent.
%
7-18
ProCarManuals.com

Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-9
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-14
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-35
Compass Calibration
............................ 2-45
Compass Variance
.............................. 2-44
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-48
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-46
Coolant
....................................... 6-21
Adding
..................................... 6-23
Checking
................................... 6-23
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-18
HOW to Add
............................ 5.19. 5.21
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-19
To Use Engine Heater ......................... 2-19
Whattouse
................................. 6-22
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Courtesy Lamps ................................ 2-40
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-35
Ending
...................................... 2-37
Increasing Speed While Using
................... 2-36
Light
....................................... 2-64
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
............. 2-37
ResumingaSetSpeed
......................... 2-36
Setting
..................................... 2-35
Cupholder, Center Console
....................... 2-47
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
UsingonHills
............................... 2-37
Cupholder, Rear Console
......................... 2-47 Damage,
Finish
............................... 6-53
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-53
Daytime Running
Lamps ......................... 2-39
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving
............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-9
Defogging
..................................... 3-4
Defrosting
..................................... 3-4
Delayed Illumination
............................ 2-41
Dimen ions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Dolby
B Noise Reduction 3-13. 3-17
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
Drive. Automatic Transaxle
....................... 2-22
DriverPosition
................................. 1-11
Driving Caught
In a Blizzard .......................... 4-27
DeadBattery
................................... 5-3
8 ..................
City ........................................ 4-20
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-21
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-27
IntheRain
.................................. 4-17
Night
...................................... 4-16
On Curves .................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-36
On
Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-23
On Snow or Ice
.............................. 4-26
Throughwater
............................... 4-19
WetRoads
.................................. 4-17
In
Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
9-3
ProCarManuals.com

Driving (Continued)
Winter
...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2- 18.3.26. 6.56
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
with
Compass and Map Lamps ....................... 2-43
Engine
....................................... 6-10
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-1 8
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-13
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-59
Exhaust
...................... 2-13.2-28.4-28. 4-34
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-60
Identification
................................ 6-55
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-13
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked ......................... 2-28
Specifications
................................ 6-63
Starting Your
................................ 2- 17
Engine Coolant
................................. 6-21
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
................. 2-59
EngineOil
.................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6-12
How to Reset the Change Oil Light
............... 6-15
Used
....................................... 6-15
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- 13
Warning Light
............................... 2-62 WhentoAdd
................................ 6-12
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Engine Overheating
............................. 5-15
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
Exit Illumination
............................... 2-42
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-38
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-48
Filling a Portable Container
........................ 6-8
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Passenger Compartment Air
................. 6-17
Finish Damage ................................. 6-53
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass
.................................. 2-32
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-25
FogLamps
.................................... 2-39
Following Distance with a Trailer
.................. 4-35
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French LanguageManual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-11
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-65
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-56
Finishcare
.................................... 6-51
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-59
Fuel ....................................... 2-65
9-4
.
ProCarManuals.com