coolant level OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 Owners Manual

I Climate Control System
Your vehicle’s heater and air
conditioner work best if you keep your
windows closed. Your vehicle also has
flow-through ventilation, described late]
in this section, to bring outside air into
your vehicle.
If you have the optional engine coolant
heater and use it during cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or lower, your heating
system will more quicldy provide heat
because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See the
Index under Engine
Coolant Heater.
OFF: Press to turn the system off. Press
any climate control setting to turn the
system on.
8: Slide the lever to the right to increase
fan speed,
decrease fan speed. to the left
to
Temperature Control Lever: Slide
the
lever to the right for warmer, heated air;
slide it to the left for cooled air.
Air Conditioner
When the temperature outside is above
freezing, the air conditioner compressor
will automatically condition the air
when
you press RECIRC (the A/C
indicator light will glow), DEFOG or
DEF (the A/C indicator light will not
Press
A/C (the A/C indicator light will
glow) to condition the air when you
press
UPPER, BI-LEV or LOWER. To
turn off the air conditioner compressor
in these settings, press
A/C again (the
indicator light will go off).
glow).
Each time you turn on the ignition, the
air conditioner will default to the setting
you had selected before last turning off
the ignition.
When the air conditioner compressor is
on, you may sometimes notice slight
changes in your vehicle’s engine
performance and power. This is normal, because
the system is designed to help
fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture
from the air,
so you may sometimes
notice water dripping from under your
vehicle when it
is idling or after it has
been turned off. This is normal.
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool
down more quickly and economically if
you open the windows long enough to
let hot inside air escape. For all settings,
adjust the temperature control lever and
fan speed as desired.
Directional Controls
RECIRC (Recirculate): Press to get
maximum cooling or quick cool-down
on very hot days. This setting
recirculates much of the air inside your
vehicle. It should not be used for long
periods of time because the air may
become too cold and dry.
Slide the temperature control lever
down to the coolest setting and adjust
the fan speed as desired.
UPPER: For normal cooling on hot
days, press
A/C along with UPPER.
1
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Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the
hood, here’s what you’ll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan, or fans if you
have the
3800 V6 engine.
If the coolant inside the coolant
recovery tank is boiling, don’t do
anything else until it cools down. The coolant
level should be at or above
the
FULL HOT mark. If it isn’t, you
may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
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Problems on the Road
1..
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty. If
there seems to be
no leak, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it isn’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 or above the
FULL HOT 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.)
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Use the
recommended coolant.
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5. Put the cap back on the coolant
recovery tank, but leave the radiator
pressure cap off. 6. Start the engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose getting
hot. Watch out for the engine fan(s).
7. By this time the coolant level inside
the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the
proper mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any
time during this procedure if coolant
begins to
flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows
on the pressure cap line up
like this.
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Here you will find information about
the care of
your Oldsmobile . This
part begins with service and fuel
information. and then it shows how
to check important fluid and
lubricant levels
. There is also
technical information about
your
vehicle. and a section devoted to its
appearance care
.
Part 6
Service & Appearance Care
Service ........................................................................\
............................................. 182
Fuel
........................................................................\
.................................................. 183
Hood Release ........................................................................\
................................... 186
Engine Oil ........................................................................\
........................................ 190
Air Cleaner
........................................................................\
...................................... 194
Transaxle Fluid
........................................................................\
................................ 195
Engine Coolant
........................................................................\
................................ 197
Power Steering Fluid
........................................................................\
....................... 199
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................................................\
................ 200
Brakes
........................................................................\
.............................................. 201
Battery
........................................................................\
............................................. 203
Bulb Replacement
........................................................................\
........................... 203
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
................................................................... 205
Loading Your Vehicle
........................................................................\
..................... 206
Tires
........................................................................\
................................................. 207
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
............................. 212
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.................................................................... 218
Add-on Electrical Equipment
........................................................................\
........ 219
Fuses & Circuit Breakers ........................................................................\
................ 219
Capacities and Specifications
........................................................................\
......... 224
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............................................................... 226
Fluids
& Lubricants ........................................................................\
........................ 227
Replacement
Bulbs ........................................................................\
.......................... 228
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As shown in the chart, 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 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SH or SG
“SH’ or “SG’ must be on the oil container,
either by itself or combined with other
quality designations, such as “SHKD,”
“SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. These
letters show American Petroleum
Institute (API) levels of quality.
SAE 1OW-30 (3800 engine)
SAE 5W-30 (3100 engine)
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on
most containers.
If you cannot find oils
with the “starburst” symbol,
you should
look for oils with the doughnut shaped
symbol, containing the three things
noted above. If
you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or
SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Oldsmobile dealer 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:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 ltm).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 ltm).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time
(as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
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 ltm) or 3
months - whichever comes first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 ltm) or 12
months -whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see
Engine
Coolant Heater in the Index. 193
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transaxle fluid
to use. See
Recommended 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.
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
(OSL). Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRONo-I11 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made
especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRONo-I11 or DEXRONB-IIE is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to
Check.
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
3100 V6: Adding Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
3800 V6: Adding Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is
low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, 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 against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
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.
(-37°C).
( 12SoC).
temperature. should.
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Service &Appearance Cure
NOTICE:
198
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair
cost
wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at
COLD, or a little
higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
FULL HOT, or a
little higher.
3100 V6: Checking Coolant
3800 V6: Checking Coolant
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To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
mix
at the coolant recovery tank.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank,
but be careful not to spill it.
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 AC8 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.
Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering
Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
H (Hot)
mark.
When the engine compartment is
cool, the level should be at the
C
(Cold) mark.
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Maintenance Schedule
238
Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Following are explanations of the
services listed in Schedule I and
Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use
are listed in Section D. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or
anyone else drives the vehicle.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving
I1 oils of proper viscosity.
The
“SH” or “SG” designation may
be shown alone
or in combination
with others, such as “SH/CD,”
“SH,
SG, CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. To
determine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-
30 or SAE 10W-30), see
Engine Oil
in the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication - Lubricate
suspension and steering linkage.
Lubricate the transaxle shift linkage,
and parking brake cable guides,
underbody contact points and
linkage.
3. Tire and Wheel Rotation and
Inspection
- For proper wear and
maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this
manual. See
Tires, Inspection E.
Rotation in the Index. Check the
tires for uneven wear
or damage. If
you see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment. Check for
damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessory Drive Inspection
- Inspect the drive belt for cracks,
fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed.
I
Cooling System Servicee - Drain,
flush and refill the system with new
or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
I
1825M. Keep coolant at the proper 1
mixture as specified. See Coolant in
the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection, corrosion
I
inhibitor level and maintains proper ’
engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses
and replace if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated.
Tighten screw-type hose clamps.
Clean the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser. Wash tht
pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we
recommend
a pressure test of both the
cooling system and the pressure cap.
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