Oldsmobile Aurora (2001 year). Manual - part 16

5-25

11. Using the wheel

wrench, tighten the
wheel nuts firmly in 
a crisscross sequence 
as shown.

CAUTION:

Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.

Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have 
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 
100 lb

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ft (140 N·m).

NOTICE:

Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.

12. When the flat tire has been repaired or replaced,

install the wheel cover. Be sure to position the
alignment pin on the cover with the notch in the
wheel. Apply pressure around the edge of the cap to
snap it in place. Do not use a hammer or mallet to
install the cover.

Store the wheel cover in the trunk until you have
replaced the compact spare tire with a regular tire.

NOTICE:

Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. 
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.

5-26

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools

CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.

Store the flat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible.
Store the jack and wheel wrench in their compartment in
the trunk. For storage, the jack must be raised until the
screw end is flush with the edge of the jack.

5-27

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools

CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.

The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full

-

size tire as

soon as you can. See “Compact Spare Tire” later in 
this section. See the storage instructions label to replace
your compact spare into your trunk properly.

5-28

Compact Spare Tire

Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated 
when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 
60 psi (420 kPa).

After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, 
you should stop as soon as possible and make sure 
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph 
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full

-

size tire

repaired or replaced where you want. You must calibrate
the Check Tire Pressure System after installing or
removing the compact spare. See “Check Tire Pressure
System” in the Index. Of course, it’s best to replace 
your spare with a full

-

size tire as soon as you can. 

Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case
you need it again.

NOTICE:

When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel, and
maybe other parts of your vehicle.

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 compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.

5-29

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, 
Ice or Snow

In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don’t want 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.

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 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.

NOTICE:

Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.

For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out

First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
your traction control system off. See “Traction Control
System” in the Index. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. 
If that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
see “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.

6-

6-1

Section 6

Service and Appearance Care

Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.

6

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2

Service

6

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3

Fuel

6

-

10

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

6

-

10

Checking Things Under the Hood

6

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15

Engine Oil

6

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20

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6

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23

Automatic Transaxle Fluid

6

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26

Engine Coolant

6

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31

Windshield Washer Fluid

6

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32

Brakes

6

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35

Battery

6

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37

Bulb Replacement

6

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48

Tires

6

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58

Appearance Care

6

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58

Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle

6

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62

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle

6

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64

Underbody Maintenance

6

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64

Chemical Paint Spotting

6

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65

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials

6

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66

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

6

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67

Electrical System

6

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71

Removing the Rear Seat Cushion

6

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75

Replacement Bulbs

6

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76

Capacities and Specifications

6

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78

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-2

Service

Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and
GM

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trained and supported service people.

We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

Doing Your Own Service Work

If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service
and Owner Publications” in the Index.

Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag

-

Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.

You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.

6-3

CAUTION:

You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
D Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,

experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

D Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and

other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.

Adding Equipment to the Outside of 
Your Vehicle

Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.

Fuel

If you have the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code H), use
regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher.

If you have the 4.0L V8 engine (VIN Code C), use
premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher
for best performance. You may use middle grade or
regular unleaded gasolines, but your vehicle’s
acceleration may be slightly reduced.

It is recommended that the gasoline meet specifications
which have been developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and endorsed by the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could provide
improved driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasolines.

Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91 
(at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the
octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.

6-4

If you’re using fuel rated at the recommended octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service. But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging
noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill.
That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have a problem.

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your
vehicle may fail a smog

-

check test. See “Malfunction

Indicator Lamp” in the Index. 

If this occurs, return to your authorized Oldsmobile
dealer for diagnosis to determine the cause of failure. In
the event it is determined that the cause of the condition
is the type of fuels used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane

-

enhancing additive called

methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not the fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission control
system performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on. 
If this occurs, return to your authorized Oldsmobile dealer
for service.

6-5

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with
the specifications described earlier.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.

Fuels in Foreign Countries

If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard 
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.

To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.

You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

6-6

Filling Your Tank

CAUTION:

Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.

6-7

To open the fuel door, press
the button located on the
driver’s door trim near the
trunk release button.

The ignition does not need to be on. The remote fuel
door release will work in all transaxle positions. The
trunk release lockout switch must be in OFF for the fuel
door to open.

The fuel door can be opened manually in case of an
electrical power failure.

To do so, first open the
trunk. The release
mechanism is located on the
driver’s side of the vehicle,
at the top of the trunk
compartment. Pull the tab
toward you to release the
fuel door.

NOTICE:

Prying on a locked fuel filler door could damage
it. Use the remote fuel door manual release
located in the trunk.

6-8

While refueling, hang the tethered cap from the hook on
the fuel door.

To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.

CAUTION:

If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.

Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.

6-9

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in 
the Index.

The CHECK GAS CAP DIC message will come on if
the fuel cap is not properly reinstalled.

NOTICE:

If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.

6-10

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

CAUTION:

Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
D Dispense gasoline only into 

approved containers.

D Do not fill a container while it is inside a

vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

D Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the

inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

D Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.

Checking Things Under the Hood

CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.

CAUTION:

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-11

Hood Release

To open the hood, first pull
the hood release handle,
located to the left of the
steering wheel under the
instrument panel.

Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the
secondary hood release.

Lift the hood.

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then pull the hood down and close it firmly.