radiator OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 User Guide

If this light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
LOW
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
Turning 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.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill
it.
I
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.
6-21
ProCarManuals.com

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.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

rF
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located on the
driver’s side
of the vehicle, toward the front of the
engine compartment. Open
the cap
labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid
until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
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, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
d
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BV:
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
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 cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
A11 Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
7-23
ProCarManuals.com

qng Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
, ; ., ‘:, ;: .
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom
of movement and lubricate
if required.
100,000 Miles (166 000 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 Ernission Corztrol Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Ernission Control Service.
7-32
ProCarManuals.com

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall).
You should let your GM retailer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in an Oldsmobile Service Manual. See “Service
and Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose connections
or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could
let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust’’ in
the Index.
Radiator anc d Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspect!. :
Inspect the throttle linkage for interrerence or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits
or conditions result
in frequent braking.
ProCarManuals.com

Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-38
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-38
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-38
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-38
Steering
.................................... 7-38
Suspension
.................................. 7-38
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-38
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-68
Cleaning
.................................... 6-45
Cluster
..................................... 2-70
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-53
Light Intensity Control
......................... 2-49
Exhaust
Systems
............................. 7-38
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-49
Interior Lights Control
........................... 2-49
Interior Lights Override Switch
.................... 2-49
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-25
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-35
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-21
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels CertificatiodTire
............................. 4-27
Identification
................................ 6-5 I
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-5 1
Tire-Loading Information ...................... 4-27
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-51
Lamps ........................................ 2-48
Dome
...................................... 2-50
Interior
..................................... 2-49
On Reminder
................................ 2-48
Underhood
................................... 6-9
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-34
License Plate Lamp Bulb Replacement
.............. 6-31
Liftgate
....................................... 2-19
Liftgate Ajar Light
.............................. 2-82
LiftgateLock
.................................. 2-21
Lighter
....................................... 2-58
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-26, 2-73
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-75, 4-6
Brake System Warning
.................... 2-74, 6-26
Interior
..................................... 2-49
Interior Lights Override Switch
.................. 2-49
Liftgate Ajar
................................. 2-82
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-77
Power Sliding Door Warning
.................... 2-81
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1 - 13, 2-73
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-77
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-27
LowFuel
................................... 2-84
LowOil
.................................... 2-81
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

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
9-8
ProCarManuals.com