engine overheat OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 User Guide

A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
1 parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
~
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 or above the FULL HOT mark, add a 501.50
mixture of den72 water (preferably distilled) and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze
at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix. 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.
I I
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the
FULL HOT mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try.
You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
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Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel
with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your Cbmpact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
A CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle
or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little
as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 kmk) as shown
on the speedometer.
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DW to 2 dl uid
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
(0.5 L).
Don ’t overfill. 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-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way. 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, 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°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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NOTICE:
when adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If’silicated coolant 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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half
clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else. Adding
only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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I 1
I NOTICE: I
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.
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.
Checking Coolant
The engine coolant reservoir is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle towards the middle of
the engine compartment.
When your engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at
FULL
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to FULL
HOT, or a
little higher.
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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.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located to the right
of the engine coolant reservoir, at the back of the
engine compartment.
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Driver Position ................................. I . 17
Driving City
........................................ 4-18
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-19
In
a Blizzard ................................. 4-25
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-3
In the Rain
.................................. 4- 15
Night ...................................... 4-13
OnCurves
................................... 4-8
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-36
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-21
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-23
Throughwater
............................... 4- 17
WetRoads
.................................. 4-15
Winter
...................................... 4-23
With a Trailer
................................ 4-34
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Dump and Stow Feature
........................... 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
............... 3-23. 6-52
Electrical System
............................... 6-52
Electronic Compass
............................. 2-55
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-28
Engine
........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-18
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-26
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-34 Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-76
Cooling System
.............................. 6-59
Exhaust ..................................... 2-36
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-34
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-36
Specifications
................................ 6-60
Starting Your
................................ 2-24
Engine Oil
................................ 2-80. 6-9
Adding
..................................... 6-10
Additives
................................... 6-12
Checking
................................... 6-10
Pressure Indicator
............................. 2-80
Used
....................................... 6-13
WhattoUse
................................. 6-11
Whentochange
.............................. 6-13
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-36
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-43
Fan Lever. Climate Control System
.................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-47
Finish Damage
................................. 6-48
First Gear
..................................... 2-31
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-59
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-39
9-4
.
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Opener. GarageDoor ............................ 2-54
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-53
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 12
Overriding Lock Delay
........................... 2-6
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-34
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 10
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-49
Park
......................................... 2-27
Shifting Into
................................. 2-32
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-35
AtNight
.................................... 2-21
Brake
...................................... 2-31
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-37
Lots
....................................... 2-22
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-35
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-3 1
Passing ....................................... 4-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-38
Power Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-66
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-52
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-52
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Sliding Door Warning Light ..................... 2-8 1
Parking Steering
..................................... 4-8
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-22
Windows
................................... 2-37
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-30
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner .................... 8-9
Radiator
..................................... 5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-22
Radio Reception
................................ 3-23
Radios
........................................ 3-9
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-50. 2-51
Rear AirVents
.................................... 3-7
Climate Control
............................... 3-6
Rain. Driving
In
................................ 4-15
Fan
......................................... 3-7
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-31
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-31
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
Windshield Washer
........................... 2-43
RearAirVents
.................................. 3-7
Rear Climate Control
............................. 3-6
Rear Compartment Lamps
........................ 2-51
Rear Fan. Master Control
.......................... 3-7
Rear Fan. Rear Control
........................... 3-8
Rearview Mirror. Inside Daymight
................. 2-52
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