oil temperature OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1996, Model line: SILHOUETTE, Model: OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996Pages: 372, PDF Size: 19.39 MB
Page 91 of 372

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.
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Page 258 of 372

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
COLD
WEATHER
E low-30
SAE 5w-30 PREFERRED
DO NOT
USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
-
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 O C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 2OW-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anyhng to your oil. Your Oldsmobile retailer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
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Page 259 of 372

When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips
are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. 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 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
.What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Page 261 of 372

Checking or Replacing the Air Cleaner
1. Loosen the four wing nuts.
2. Pull the top of the air cleaner toward the fro t of the
vehicle and remove the air cleaner filter.
P
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter, replace the
cover and tighten the wing nuts securely.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 krn) if the vehicle is mainly dnven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (3 2 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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Page 264 of 372

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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Page 306 of 372

Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code ........................... E
Type
.................................... V6
Firing Order ...................... 1-2-3-4-5-6
Thermostat Temperature Displacement
............................ 3.4L
Specification
.................. 195 "F (9 1 O C)
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Engine Oil Filter ................ AC Type PF-47
Air
Cleaner Element
........... AC Type A-974C
PCV Valve
.................. AC Type CV-892C
Spark Plugs
................... AC Type 4 1-940
Gap: 0.060 inch
(1 -52 mm)
Remote Lock Control Battery (1)
........ CR 2032
Dimensions
Wheelbase ............... 109.8 inches 2788 mm
Tread Width
Front
................... 59.2 inches 1503 mm
Rear .................... 61.4 inches 1559 mm
Width .................... 73.9 inches 1878 mm
Length
.................. 194.7 inches
4946 mm
Height. ................... 65.7 inches 1670 mrn
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Page 310 of 372

Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspection (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
These intervals only sunzmnrize maintenmxe services.
Be sure
to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
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Page 320 of 372

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
48.000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
50,000 Miles (83 000 kn
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
9OoF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, thejluid andfilter do
not require changing.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
45,000 Miles (75 000 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).
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE SERVICED BY
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
I~YOLL do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Page 362 of 372

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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