heating OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 2003 User Guide

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice: Your radiator cap is a 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.
The radiator pressure cap is located at the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-72 for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-47. You also
have an engine coolant temperature warning message
on your instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Message
on page 3-53.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode,
you will notice a significant
loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause
of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the
oil life system. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
5-26

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system. Heater
and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you 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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see
if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-30

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Oldsmobile Warranty booklet for details.
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued]
0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden impact
- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace them.
5-60

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Temperature Warning Message
.......... 3-53
Cooling System Inspection
............................ 6-1 4
Engine Compartment Overview
.... ........... 5-12
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-43
Low Oil Level Message
................................ 3-55
Oil
............................................................. 5-14
Overheating
................................................ 5-26
Starting
...................................................... 2-34
Engine Coolant Level Check
............................. 6-10
Engine Oil Additives
......................... ....... 5-17
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check
................................... 6-10
Engine Specifications
..................................... 5-1 04
Entering Programming Mode
............................ 2-63
Entertainment System
...................................... 3-91
Cleaning the Video Screen
.......................... 3-105
Cleaning Your DVD Player
.......................... 3-105
DVD Distortion
.......................................... 3-103
Entry Lighting
................................................. 3-18
Erasing HomeLink@ Buttons
.............................. 2-52
Exit Lighting
................................................... 3-19
Exiting Programming Mode
............................... 2-71
Express-Down Window
.................................... 2-25
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-44
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-1 4
F
FabricKarpet ................................................. 5-87
Engine Air Cleaner
...................................... 5-19
Filter
Finding
a PTY Station
..................... 3.67. 3.74. 3-83
Finding a Station
............................ 3-65, 3-72, 3-81
Finish Care
.................................................... 5-91
Finish Damage
............................................... 5-92
Fixed Mast Antenna
....................................... 3-105
Flash-to-Pass
................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire
........................................................ 5-69
Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-70
Flip and Fold Rear Seats
.................................. 1-7
Fluid Automatic Transaxle
..................................... 5-20
Power Steering
........................................... 5-37
Windshield Washer
...................................... 5-38
FM
.............................................................. 3-103
Fog Lamps
.................................................... 3-16
Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks
............. 1-8, 1-14
Folding the Seatback
....................................... 1-18
Following Distance
.......................................... 4-41
Footnotes
........................................................ 6-5
Front Reading Lamps
...... ........................ 3-19
Front Seat Storage Net
................................ 2-55
Fuel
............................................................... 5-5
Additives
................. .......................... 5-6
California Fuel
....................................... 5-6