Oldsmobile Aurora (2001 year). Manual - part 17

6-12

Engine Compartment Overview

3.5L V6 Engine

When you open the hood, you’ll see:

6-13

A. Underhood Bussed Electrical Center

B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

C. Engine Coolant Surge Tank

D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal

E. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part

F. Passenger Compartment Air Filter

G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir

H. Engine Oil Fill Cap

I. Engine Oil Dipstick

J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick

K. Brake Fluid Reservoir

L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-14

4.0L V8 Engine

When you open the hood, you’ll see:

A. Underhood Bussed 

Electrical Center

B. Windshield Washer 

Fluid Reservoir

C. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
D. Remote Positive (+) 

Battery Terminal

E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Passenger Compartment 

Air Filter

G. Remote Negative (

-

) Terminal

H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Engine Oil Dipstick

J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Automatic Transaxle 

Fluid Dipstick
(near the air cleaner)

L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-15

Engine Oil

If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instrument panel, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information, see
“DIC Warnings and Messages” in the Index.

You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.

Checking Engine Oil

It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

The top of the engine oil
dipstick is a round 
yellow loop.

See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for
more information on location.

Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

6-16

Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.

3.5L V6 Engine

4.0L V8 Engine

When to Add Engine Oil

If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.

NOTICE:

Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.

6-17

See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in the Index 
for more information 
on location.

Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use

Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.

This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.

If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container. 
If you have your oil
changed for you, be sure 
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.

You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-18

As shown in the chart, SAE 5W

-

30 is best for your

vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W

-

30 if it’s going

to be 0

_F (

-

18

_C) or above. These numbers on an oil

container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W

-

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

R

 oil meets all the requirements for

your vehicle.

If you are in an area where the temperature falls 
below 

-

20

_F (

-

29

_C), consider using either an 

SAE 5W

-

30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W

-

30 oil. Both

will provide easier cold starting and better protection for
your engine at extremely low temperatures.

6-19

Engine Oil Additives

Don’t add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.

When to Change Engine Oil

Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life System

t will

indicate that a change is necessary. The mileage between
oil and filter changes will vary depending on how you
drive your vehicle 

--

 usually between 3,000 miles 

(5 000 km) and 10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your
last oil and filter change. Under severe conditions, the
system may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km).
Never drive your vehicle more than 10,000 miles 
(16 000 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first)
without an oil change.

The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner. Remember to
reset the Oil Life System whenever the oil is changed.

How to Reset the Oil Life System

Always reset the engine Oil Life System to 100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset the OIL
LIFE reminder, do the following:

1. With the ignition on, press the SELECT right 

arrow button to OIL so the OIL LIFE percentage 
is displayed.

2. Press RESET and hold for five seconds. OIL LIFE

XXX% will appear and then when the button is
released OIL LIFE 100% will be displayed.

6-20

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 dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

The engine air cleaner and filter are on the driver’s side of
the engine compartment. See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in the Index for more information on location.

6-21

To check or replace the air filter:

1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the two wing

screws on the outboard side of the filter cover.

2. Remove the cover.

3. Remove the air filter.

4. Install the new air filter and reverse all of the steps.

Be sure the tabs of the air cleaner cover fit into the
slots of the air cleaner housing.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.

See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.

CAUTION:

Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.

NOTICE:

If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can cause
a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily 
get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you’re driving.

6-22

Passenger Compartment Air Filter

The passenger compartment air filter removes certain
particles from the air, including pollen and dust particles.
Reductions in airflow, which may occur more often in
dusty areas, indicate that the filter may need to be
replaced early.

The filter should be replaced as part of the routine
scheduled maintenance. See “Maintenance Schedule” 
in the Index for more information.

The passenger compartment
air filter is located on the
passenger side at the base 
of the windshield and can 
be accessed through a
removable panel under the
hood of the vehicle. 
See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in the Index 
for more information 
on location.

To check or replace the air filter:

1. With the hood open, unlatch and remove the 

access panel.

2. To remove the filter, press on the spring tab on 

the side of the filter housing and pull the filter out of
the housing.

3. To install the new filter, press on the spring tab and

insert the filter into the housing. The filter should be
fully inserted into the upper and lower grooves and
locked into place by the spring tab.

4. Reinstall the air filter access panel at the base of 

the windshield.

6-23

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 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
D In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature

regularly reaches 90

_F (32_C) or higher.

D In hilly or mountainous terrain.
D When doing frequent trailer towing.
D Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of 
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at 
100,000 miles (166 000 km).

See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.

How to Check

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you 
may choose to have this done at the dealership 
service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on 
the dipstick.

NOTICE:

Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.

6-24

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
D When outside temperatures are above 90_F (32_C).
D At high speed for quite a while.
D In heavy traffic 

--

 especially in hot weather.

D While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at 
normal operating temperature, which is 180

_F to 

200

_F (82_C to 93_C).

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50

_F

(10

_C). If it’s colder than 50_F (10_C), you may 

have to drive longer.

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:
D Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the 

engine running.

D With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever

in PARK (P).

D With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift

lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).

D Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

3.5L V6 Engine

4.0L V8 Engine

See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for
more information on location.

1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or

paper towel.

6-25

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and

then pull it back out again.

3.5L V6 Engine

4.0L V8 Engine

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level.

The fluid level must be in the cross

-

hatched area.

4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the

dipstick back in all the way.

How to Add Fluid

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 
one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill.

NOTICE:

We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON

R

-

III, because fluid with that label is

made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON

R

-

III

is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as

described under “How to Check.”

4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the

dipstick back in all the way.

6-26

Engine Coolant

The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX

-

COOL

R

 engine coolant. This coolant is designed

to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX

-

COOL

R

 extended life coolant.

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 clean, drinkable water and
DEX

-

COOL

R

 coolant will:

D Give freezing protection down to 

-

34

_F (

-

37

_C).

D Give boiling protection up to 265_F (129_C).
D Protect against rust and corrosion.
D Help keep the proper engine temperature.
D Let the warning lights and gages work as 

they should.

NOTICE:

When adding coolant, it is important that you 
use only DEX

-

COOL

R

 (silicate

-

free) coolant.

If coolant other than DEX

-

COOL is added to 

the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner 

--

 at

30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the 
use of coolant other than DEX

-

COOL

R

 is not

covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-27

What to Use

Use a mixture of one

-

half clean, drinkable water and

one

-

half DEX

-

COOL

R

 coolant which won’t damage

aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don’t need to add anything else.

CAUTION:

Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned. 
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX

-

COOL

R

 coolant.

NOTICE:

If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.

If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.

NOTICE:

If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.