engine coolant Oldsmobile Intrigue 2000 Owner's Manuals

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-9 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-13 Trunk Lid
2
-14 Theft
2
-15 Passlock

2-15 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-16 Ignition Positions
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-18 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-24 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-26 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-27 Engine Exhaust2
-27 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-28 Windows
2
-29 Full Floating Horn
2
-29 Tilt Wheel
2
-30 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-36 Exterior Lamps
2
-38 Interior Lamps
2
-41 Mirrors
2
-45 Storage Compartments
2
-46 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-47 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-48 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-49 Power Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-50 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-55 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-18
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord
is located behind the driver's side headlamp assembly.

2-19
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
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
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
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 dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located on
the console between
the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles, when you're in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline components from
improper operations.
There are several positions for your shift lever.

2-61

The optional Traction Control System is active and is
limiting wheel spin. You may feel the system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist, so adjust your driving accordingly.
If the LOW TRAC light comes on, slippery road
conditions may exist, so you should consider slowing
down and adjusting your driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
You have a gage that
shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage
moves into the red area,
your engine is too hot.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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your
system is low on coolant,
and the engine
may overheat.
This light will come on briefly when the ignition is
turned to ON. This is normal.
See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for more
information, and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible.

3-4 Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot inside air escape. This reduces the time the
compressor has to run, which should help fuel economy.
For quick cool
-down on very hot days, use RECIRC
with the temperature knob all the way in the blue area
and the A/C button pushed in. If this setting is used for
long periods of time, the air in your vehicle may become
too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
temperature knob in the blue area. With the A/C button
and outside the air button pushed in, the system will
bring in outside air and cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle with the A/C button and the outside air
button pushed in. The system will bring in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body. You may notice the
temperature difference more at some times than others.
Heating
On cold days use FLOOR and the outside air button
pushed in with the temperature knob all the way in the
red area. The system will bring in outside air, heat it and
send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER and press the outside air
button to direct air through your vehicle. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, use
DEFROST with the temperature knob all the way in the
red area. To warm passengers while keeping the
windows clear, use DEFOG.

3-9
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time the
compressor has to run, which should help fuel economy.
For quick cool
-down on very hot days, use UPPER and
RECIRC. If this setting is used for long periods of time,
the air in your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER and
OUTSIDE AIR with the A/C button (if equipped)
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEV with the A/C button (if equipped)
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than others.Heating
On cold days use LOWER. The system will bring in
outside air, heat it and send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER, ECON (if equipped) and
OUTSIDE AIR to direct outside air through your
vehicle. Your vehicle also has the flow
-through
ventilation system described later in this section.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, use your
DEFROST button. To warm passengers while keeping
the windows clean, use DEFOG by pressing the
MODE button.

5-10
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel lift
or car carrier equipment. Don't have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must
be towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle
more than 500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceed
50 mph (80 km/h). If these limitations must be
exceeded, then the drive wheels have to be supported
on a dolly.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº in the Index. You
also have a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
See ªLow Coolant Lightº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on and
the temperature gage will indicate an overheat condition
exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss and change
the oil. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

5-11 If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool. See ªOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.

5-13
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.