service Oldsmobile Achieva 1998 Owner's Manuals

The 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7- 1 Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
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Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Oldsmobile for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
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Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblem
and the name
ACHIEVA are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice.
Please keep this manual
in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road.
If you
sell
the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
Litho in
U.S.A.
Part No. 22656198 A First Edition
r We support voluntary
technician certification.
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN WE SUPPORT
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
“Copyright General Motors Corporation 1997
All Rights Reserved

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with
a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out
as soon as it is safe to do so,
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening
a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
0 Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there
to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
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0 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the
air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the sensors are
activated and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won’t work properly. See your retailer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel
or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
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If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags
as well as the sensors and related
parts.
If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow
it, unless
the battery cables are first disconnected.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
retailer and the Achieva Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
This system has a range of about
3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range, This
is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for
the transmitter to
work, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement or
synchronization is necessary. See
the instructions
that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
If you’re still having trouble, see your retailer or a
qualified technician for service.
Operation
The following functions are available with the Remote
Lock Control system:
LOCK: All doors will automatically lock when
the
LOCK button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior
lamps stay on for a few seconds after all of the doors
are closed.
UNLOCK: The driver’s door will unlock automatically
when the UNLOCK button on the transmitter is pressed.
If the UNLOCK button
is pressed again within five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for
40 seconds or until the ignition is
turned
on.
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To replace the battery in the remote lock control:
1. Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separate
the bottom half from the top half of the transmitter.
one. Make sure
the positive (+) side of the battery
faces down. Use one,
3 volt, CR2032, or equivalent,
type battery.
2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new
3. Put the two halves back together. Make sure the
cover
is on tightly, so water won’t get in.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter with your
vehicle. If the transmitter does not
work, try
synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver.
Synchronization
Your Remote Lock Control system is equipped with a
security system that prevents anyone from recording
and playing back your signal. The transmitter does not
send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal that has been sent to it more
than once.
To resynchronize your transmitter and receiver, follow
these directions:
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2.
3.
Stand close to your vehicle.
Press and hold the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the transmitter at the same time.
Hold the buttons for five seconds. In this time, the
doors should lock and unlock once. This confirms
the resynchronization. If the doors do not lock and
unlock, see your retailer for service.
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Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key?
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If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Slide the remote trunk release lockout switch all
the way to the right.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Passlock@
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system. During normal
operation, the SECURITY light will
go
off after the engine is started.
If the engine stalls
and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the
START position as soon as the engine starts.
If you are driving and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn
the engine
off. However, your Passlock system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this
time. You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses
and Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your retailer
for service.
If the SECURITY light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your retailer for service.
In an emergency, call the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance Center at
1-800-442-OLDS (6537).
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system
is armed once the key is removed from the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel
if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used,
fuel is disabled.
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L-OCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch
is in LOCK. It is also the only
position in which you can remove the key.
This locks
your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle
(on
automatic transaxle models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try to push-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door when the ignition is off and the key is
in the ignition.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to
RUN for normal driving.
Note that even
if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But, turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@): If your automatic
transaxle has AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@), this
position is for normal driving. If you need more power
for passing, and you’re:
Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
0 Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to
the next gear and have more power.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@). Here
are some times you might choose THIRD
(3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ((9):
0 When driving on hilly, winding roads.
0 When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
When going down a steep hill.
between gears.
NOTICE:
This NOTICE applies only
if you have an
automatic overdrive transaxle.
If your vehicle is
so equipped and if it seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor.
If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving
less than
35 mph (56 kmh) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE
(0) for higher speeds.

If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a
turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index) or contact your Oldsmobile retailer
service department).
Turn Signal On Chime
A warning chime signal will come on if you have left
your turn signal
on for more than 3/4 mile (1 km).
Headlamp HighLow Beam
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high or
high to low, pull the turn
signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, a light on the instrument
panel also will be on.
The headlamp high/low beam indicator may flash if the
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) system is experiencing
a problem or if a headlamp is malfunctioning.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by moving the
stalk with the wiper symbol on it up or down,
For a single wiper cycle, push the stalk down to
MIST, then release it. For more cycles, hold the stalk
down longer.
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