change time Oldsmobile Achieva 1995 s User Guide

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps
out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes
at each front wheel and at the
rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal. If you get too
close to the vehicle
in front of you, you won’t have time
to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or
stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
4- I

To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
and
let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system
working, or you may notice some noise, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to.
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or
the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each
of us is subject to
the same laws
of physics when driving on curves. The
traction
of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when YOLI turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction.
If you’ve ever
tried to steer
a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get
in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through
a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
--
steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where
the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
What should you do
if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want
it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn
that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on
good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to
go slower.
4-8

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area
of vision,
especially
if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start
to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up
for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens
to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out
to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember
to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
0 Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead
of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than
it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
0 Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
4-11

Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with the
2.3L Quad 4 DOHC engines (Code D).
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
3.1L V6 (Code M) and proper trailer towing equipment.
To identify what
the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part.
In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0 There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having
to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
0 Consider using a sway control.
You can ask
a hitch dealer about sway controls.
0
0
0
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
4-32

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. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. 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 your Oldsmobile retailer
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.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90 OF (32 O C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
6-17

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 1evel.It doesn’t
take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5L).
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle
doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retailer
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.
6-19

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too
*
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive
in that way, then -- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake
stops about every 1,000 miles
( 1600
6-28
km), so your brakes will adjust properly. If
your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have
to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle
is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts in them, as your Oldsmobile does when it is new.
When you replace parts of your braking system
-- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Oldsmobile has a Delco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedom@ battery. Get one that
has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label.

When rotating your tires;. always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire
in your tire
rotation.
After the tires
have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Infc~-mation label.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are.
properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it
is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident.
When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle, In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt
off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
I
When it’s Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires
is to
check the treadwear
indicators,
which will
appear when your tires have
only I /16 inch (I .6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough
to show cord or fabric.

Damage. Finish ............................... 6-48
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-48
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting ............................... 8-4
Defensive Driving
................................ 4- I
Defogger. Rear W~ndow .......................... 3-4
Defogging
..................................... 3-2
Defrosting
..................................... 3-2
Locks
...................................... 2-3
Locks. Power
................................ 2-4
Driver Position
................................. 1 - I2
Driving On Grades . With a Trailer .................. 4-37
Driving
Door
AtNight ................................... 4-13
City
....................................... 4-17
Defensive
................................... 4- I
Drunken .................................... 4- 2.
Freeway .................................... 4-18
In a Blizzard ................................ 4-25
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain .................................. 4- 14
OnCurves ................................... 4-8
On Hill and Mountain Roads
................... 4-2 I
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-23
Through Deep Standing Water
.................. 2- I7
Winter ..................................... 4-22
With
a Tsailer ............................... 4-35
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Easy-Entry Seat ................................
Elect;-ical Eyuipment. Adding ........... 2- 16. 3- IS. 6-50
Adding
............................... 5- 1 2. 6-23
Checkmg
................................... 6-23
Heater
................................ 2- 17. 6- 15
Low Coolant Level Warning Light ............... 2-65
Temperature
Gage ............................ 2-64
Temperature Warning Light
.................... 2-64
Cooling System
.............................. 6-54
Exhallst
.................................... 2-30
Identification
................................ 6-50
Lubrication System Chart
...................... 6-54
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Specifications
............................... 6-57
Starting
................................. 2-15. 16
2.3 L ............................ 2- IS. 6-9.54. 57
3.1 L ........................... 2-16.6-10,54,57
Engineoil .................................... 6-11
Adding .................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6-11
Warning Light ............................ 2-67. 68
What Kind to
Use ............................ 6-13
What to do
with Used Oil ...................... 6-15
When
to Change ............................. 6-15
Ethanol (In Fuel) ................................ 6-3
Exhaust . Engine ................................ 2-30
Engine Coolant
c
Engine
Running
it While You’re Parked ................. 2-31
9-4

Hook. Garment ................................. 2-51
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-21
Adding
.................................... 6-2 1
Hydroplaning ................................... 4- 16
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Checking
................................... 6-21
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
......... 5-28
Ignition Key Positions
........................... 2- 13
Ignition Switch
................................. 2- 13
Illuminated Entry System
.......................... 2-5
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-47
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-40
Restraint Systems
............................ 7-40
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-40
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Inspections
Brakesystem
............................... 7-40
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Bootandseal
.............................. 7-40
Instrument Panel Cluster Gage
....................................... 2-57
.Standard
................................... 2-56
Instrument Panel Intensity Control ................. 2-43
Instrument Panel, Cleaning
....................... 6-44
J ack. Tire .................................... 5-20
Jump Starting ................................... 5-2 Key
Lock Cylinders
............................ 7-37
Key Release Button
............................. 2-14
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-13
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Lamp Controls
................................ 2-35
Lamp, Underhood
.............................. 6-11
Lamps, Daytime Running
........................ 2-44
Lamps On Reminder
............................ 2-36
Lane Change Indicator
........................... 2-34
Larger Children, Safety Belt Use
................... 1-44
Latches, Front Seatback
........................... 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-28
Air Bag Readiness
...................... 1-20, 2-60
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
........... 2-63, 4-6
Brake System Warning
........................ 2-62
Charging System
............................. 2-60
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............ 2-64
EngineOil
.................................. 2-67
Engine Oil Pressure
.......................... 2-67
Low Coolant Level
........................... 2-65
Low Washer Fluid Warning
.................... 2-70
Safety Belt Warning
...................... 1-7, 2-59
Up Shift (Manual Transaxle)
.............. 2-24, 2-61
LampTrunk
................................... 2-46
Lamps, Fog
................................... 2-44
Lights CheckGages
................................ 2-66
CheckOil
.................................. 2-68
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon)
. 2-65
9-6