coolant temperature OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 Owners Manual

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 Oldsmobile retailer in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The retailer can give you the best
advice for that particular area. Ensure
the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your Oldsmobile has
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI). You must fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK
(P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
As you step on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you
may hear a click from the solenoid of the
BTSI. This
Automatic Transaxle Operation
ensures that the BTSI is operating properly.
If you cannot shift out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on
PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
“Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in this section.
There are several
different positions for your shift lever. the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’s
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
2-27
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A CAUTION:
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly if the anti-lock brake system warning light
is flashing. Driving with the anti-lock
brake system warning light flashing can lead to an accident. After you’ve pulled
off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Oldsmobile needs service. If
the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
’ 260
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too
hot! 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.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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The BI-LEV setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is
only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results, slide the temperature control lever
to the middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use
it during cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or lower, your
heating system will provide heat more quickly because
the engine coolant is already warmed. See “Engine
Coolant Heater’’
in the Index.
%til-.tion Syst
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air
into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air
conditioning fan is running.
Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust
the direction and amount
of airflow inside the vehicle.
Push the outlet up or down to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase or reduce the amount
of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers. Opening and closing
the louvers will also direct airflow from side to side.
If your vehicle is equipped with seats in the third row,
you will have a rear air outlet and a rear fan.
To
maximize airflow to the rear of your vehicle, place
the
left bucket seat in the second row in the forward
position (see “Adjusting Rear Seats” in
the Index).
This uncovers the rear air outlet.
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Attach a separate safety chain around the end of each
axle inboard
of the spring.
Engir Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Oldsmobile’s instrument panel. See “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage”
in the Index. You also have a low
coolant level light on your instrument panel. See “Low
Coolant Light” in the Index.
Steam Is COI d r From Your ine
I
5-12
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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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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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FogLamps .................................... 2-49
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-3
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1 - I
FrontDoor ..................................... 2-3
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-30
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-30
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-83
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-3
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-76
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-80
Fuel
....................................... 2-83
Speedometer
................................. 2-71
Tachometer
.................................. 2-71
Voltmeter
................................... 2-74
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-27
GloveBox
.................................... 2-57
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
GAWR
....................................... 4-27
GVWR
....................................... 4-27 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-29
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps
.................................... 2-48
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-29
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-40
OnReminder
................................ 2-48
Wiring
..................................... 6-52
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-40
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-21
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn ......................................... 2-38
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-23
Illuminated Entry
.......................... 2- 1 1. 2-50
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-36
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-66
Injector Fuse
................................... 6-57
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-52
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