Positioning:
The 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora and its GM Epsilon platform siblings (2000 Pontiac Bonneville, 2000 Buick LeSabre) represented GM's mid-to-upper-tier sedans. The Aurora, in particular, was positioned as a luxury-oriented vehicle, while the Bonneville and LeSabre offered spaciousness and comfort.
Competitors:
Competed against domestic rivals like Ford Taurus, Chrysler Concorde, and import brands such as Toyota Avalon, Honda Accord, and Nissan Maxima.
Aurora Features:
Distinctive styling, available V8 engine, refined interior, advanced (for the era) features like traction control and available premium audio.
Bonneville Features:
Spacious interior, comfortable ride, strong V6 engine options, G-body platform heritage.
Lesabre Features:
Emphasis on comfort and quietness, traditional American large sedan feel, V6 powertrains.
Purpose:
This manual is specifically designed for collision repair technicians, providing the detailed specifications and procedures necessary to restore these vehicles to their pre-accident condition.
Body Structure:
Frame straightening, unibody repair, structural component replacement
Exterior Panels:
Fender replacement, door repair/replacement, hood/trunk repair, bumper systems
Glass And Seals:
Windshield, side glass, rear glass replacement, seal installation
Paint And Refinishing:
Surface preparation, primer application, basecoat/clearcoat procedures, color matching
Interior Trim And Upholstery:
Panel removal/installation, seat repair, headliner, carpet
Lighting Systems:
Headlight, taillight, signal light repair/replacement
Electrical Components Body:
Wiring harness repair, sensor replacement (body-related)
Safety Systems Repair:
Airbag system diagnosis and repair, seatbelt mechanisms
Repair Techniques:
Welding (MIG, TIG), brazing, adhesive bonding, riveting
Disassembly Assembly:
Step-by-step instructions for component removal and reinstallation
Measurement And Alignment:
Dimensional data for structural repair, wheel alignment specifications post-repair
Part Replacement:
Specific procedures for replacing major body components and accessories
Troubleshooting Body:
Diagnosis of common body-related issues (e.g., door fitment, rattles)
Depth:
Comprehensive collision repair procedures, including structural analysis and repair strategies.
Diagnostic Focus:
Diagnosis of structural damage and repair validation.
Format Details:
Printed, bound manual.
Quality:
High-quality paper, durable binding, clear diagrams and text.
Binding:
Staple-bound or perfect-bound, designed for workshop use.
Paper Quality:
Durable, gloss or semi-gloss paper suitable for handling in a repair environment.
Engine Aurora:
3.5L V8 (L47)
Displacement Aurora:
3498 cc
Horsepower Aurora:
215 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque Aurora:
236 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Fuel System Aurora:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Secondary Engine Bonneville Lesabre
Engine Bonneville Lesabre:
3.8L V6 (L36 Supercharged available)
Displacement Bonneville Lesabre:
3800 cc
Horsepower Bonneville Lesabre:
205 hp @ 5200 rpm (L36) / 235 hp @ 5200 rpm (L67 Supercharged)
Torque Bonneville Lesabre:
230 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (L36) / 250 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm (L67 Supercharged)
Fuel System Bonneville Lesabre:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Engine Code Bonneville Lesabre:
L36, L67
Transmission Aurora:
4-speed automatic
Transmission Code Aurora:
4T80-E
Optional Transmission Aurora:
N/A
Standard Bonneville Lesabre
Transmission Bonneville Lesabre:
4-speed automatic
Transmission Code Bonneville Lesabre:
4T65-E
Optional Bonneville Lesabre
Optional Transmission Bonneville Lesabre:
4-speed automatic with performance algorithm shifting (PAS) on select models.
Features:
Electronically controlled, adaptive shift logic.
Length Aurora:
199.9 inches
Width Aurora:
74.4 inches
Height Aurora:
56.6 inches
Wheelbase Aurora:
110.5 inches
Exterior Bonneville Lesabre
Length Bonneville Lesabre:
201.6 inches
Width Bonneville Lesabre:
73.1 inches
Height Bonneville Lesabre:
56.0 inches
Wheelbase Bonneville Lesabre:
110.2 inches
Curb Weight Aurora:
3700-3800 lbs (approx.)
Weights Bonneville Lesabre
Curb Weight Bonneville Lesabre:
3500-3700 lbs (approx.)
Trunk Volume Aurora:
15.1 cu ft
Trunk Volume Bonneville Lesabre:
17.0 cu ft
NHTSA Driver Front Aurora:
5 Stars (2001)
NHTSA Passenger Front Aurora:
5 Stars (2001)
IIHS Front Aurora:
Good (2001)
Active Safety Aurora:
Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), optional StabiliTrak (on some models)
Active Safety Bonneville Lesabre:
Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Passive Safety Aurora:
Dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear 3-point seat belts, LATCH child seat anchors.
Passive Safety Bonneville Lesabre:
Dual front airbags, front and rear 3-point seat belts, LATCH child seat anchors.
Infotainment Aurora:
Cassette player, AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional premium sound system (e.g., Bose), optional navigation system (rare).
Infotainment Bonneville Lesabre
Infotainment Bonneville Lesabre:
Cassette player, AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional premium sound systems.
Driver Assistance Aurora:
Traction Control System (TCS), ABS, available StabiliTrak (electronic stability control).
Driver Assistance Bonneville Lesabre
Driver Assistance Bonneville Lesabre:
Traction Control System (TCS), ABS.
Connectivity Aurora:
Basic features for the era, no integrated Bluetooth or USB connectivity.
Comfort Features:
Power adjustable front seats with memory, heated front seats, automatic climate control, steering wheel audio controls (on some models).
Service Intervals General
Oil Change Interval:
Every 5,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (refer to manual for specific engine oil type and viscosity).
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 20,000-30,000 miles or as needed based on driving conditions.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual for specific plug type (e.g., iridium or platinum). Interval typically 50,000-100,000 miles.
Coolant Flush:
Every 30,000-50,000 miles or 2-3 years.
Engine Oil Spec Aurora V8:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (API certified)
Engine Oil Spec 3800 V6:
SAE 5W-30 (API certified)
Transmission Fluid Spec 4T80E:
Dexron-III (or equivalent GM approved fluid)
Transmission Fluid Spec 4T65E:
Dexron-III (or equivalent GM approved fluid)
Coolant Type:
GM-specific orange coolant (or equivalent)
Aurora V8 Issues:
Intake manifold gasket leaks, coolant leaks (especially near the Northstar V8 timing chain tensioners), starter/alternator issues, occasional transmission control module (TCM) problems.
3800 V6 Issues:
Lower intake manifold gasket (LIM) leaks (especially on non-supercharged models), head gasket issues, EGR valve clogging, power steering leaks.
Common Body Issues:
Door lock actuators, power window motors, rear suspension sag (especially on the Bonneville/LeSabre), headlight lens hazing.
Oldsmobile Heritage:
Oldsmobile, founded in 1897, was one of America's oldest automotive brands, known for innovation like the automatic transmission and overhead valve V8 engine.
Aurora Generation:
Second Generation (1999-2003). Significant redesign from the first generation, moving to the G-body platform shared with Buick and Pontiac. The V8 engine was a key differentiator.
Model Evolution Bonneville
Bonneville Generation:
Eighth Generation (1992-2005), with a significant facelift in 1999. The 2000 model represented this updated generation, offering refined styling and powertrains.
Lesabre Generation:
Seventh Generation (1992-2005), with a facelift in 1997. The 2000 model is part of this generation, known for its comfortable, quiet ride.
Production End Oldsmobile:
Oldsmobile brand ceased production in 2004.
Award Aurora:
The 2001 Aurora was well-regarded for its styling and V8 powertrain in its segment, often praised for offering European luxury car aesthetics at a more accessible price point.
Recognitions Bonneville Lesabre
Award Bonneville Lesabre:
The 3800 V6 engine consistently received accolades for its reliability and smoothness. The LeSabre was often noted for its comfortable and quiet ride.
Rating General:
These vehicles, particularly the Aurora, were often considered good value for the luxury and performance they offered at their price point.