Oldsmobile Intrigue (2002 year). Manual - part 17

6-5

Additives

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

-

enhancing additive

called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. 
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer 
for service.

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
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 fuel containing
methanol. 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.

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 tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged door on
the driver’s side of your vehicle.

While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether
below the fuel fill opening.

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

6-7

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 cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel 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.

When you put the fuel 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.

NOTICE:

If you need a new fuel 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 may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See “Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.

6-8

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.

6-9

Hood Release

To open the hood, do the following:

1. Pull the handle inside the vehicle. It is located below

the instrument panel on the driver’s side.

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the

secondary hood latch.

3. Lift the hood.

6-10

Engine Compartment Overview

When you open the hood of the 3.5L V6 engine, you’ll see the following:

A. Windshield Washer 

Fluid Reservoir

B. Auxiliary Fuse Box
C. Battery
D. Remote Positive (+)Terminal

E. Main Underhood Fuse Box
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
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

6-11

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

Engine Oil

If the LOW OIL message
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more
information, see “Low Oil
Light” 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 engine oil dipstick
handle is the yellow loop
located near the front of 
the engine. 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.

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.

6-12

When to Add Engine Oil

If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, 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 FULL
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.

The engine oil fill cap is
located toward the front of
the engine compartment
near the yellow looped
engine oil dipstick. 
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.

6-13

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:

6-14

As in the chart shown previously, 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.

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.

6-15

When to Change Engine Oil 
(GM Oil Life System

R

)

Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is based on engine
revolutions, and engine temperature and not on mileage.
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 CHANGE OIL light whenever
the oil is changed. For the Oil Life System to work
properly, you must reset the system each time the oil 
is changed.

How to Reset the CHANGE OIL Light

After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE OIL light after an oil change do
the following:

1. With the ignition key turned to ON, but the engine

off, fully push and release the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within five seconds.

2. If the CHANGE OIL light flashes, the system 

is resetting.

3. Turn the key to OFF after the light has finished

flashing, then start the vehicle.

If the CHANGE OIL light comes back on, the engine oil
life system did not reset. Repeat the procedure.

6-16

What to Do with Used Oil

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/filter is located near the front of
the engine compartment of the vehicle on the driver’s
side. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index
for more information on location.

To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter do 
the following:

1. Loosen the bolt on the air duct clamp from the

throttle body.

2. Remove the air duct from the throttle body.

6-17

3. Unhook the two hold

-

down clips located on the

engine air cleaner/filter housing cover.

4. Lift the housing cover and air duct assembly 

away from the housing, toward the engine and 
hold them there.

5. Remove the old air filter element from the housing.

6. To install the new engine air cleaner/filter, reverse

the steps.

6-18

Be sure the tabs on the cover are inserted into the
housing slots.

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.

6-19

Passenger Compartment Air Filter

The passenger compartment air filter is located
underneath the hood just below the windshield wiper
arm on the passenger’s side of the vehicle (underneath
the air inlet grille).

The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
module. Like your engine’s air cleaner/filter, it may
need to be changed periodically. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air filter, see
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index.

To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:

1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are

in the up position.

2. Raise the hood.

3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from

the fender rail and air inlet grille.

4. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the passenger’s

side of the vehicle halfway to the center of the
engine compartment.

5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.

6. Remove the air inlet grille.

7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.

8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.

9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.

For the type of air filter to use, see “Normal
Maintenance Replacement Parts” in the Index.

6-20

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. Too little
fluid could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.