tow OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 Repair Manual

3. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield or backglass.
4. While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push the release clip from under the blade
connecting point and pull the blade assembly down
towards the glass to remove it from the wiper arm.
5. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release clip “click” into place.
Tires
Your new Oldsmobile comes with high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Oldsmobile Warranty booklet for details. Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result
of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and
a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured
or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
6-39
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement” later
in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is
to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals. 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 Certificatioflire 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.)
6-41
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe
vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Oldsmobile retailer has two cleaners,
a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains
very
well. Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains
as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners
in a well-ventilated area
only.
If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1. Vxuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
4. Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub
it roughly.
5. As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
6. Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
7. Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
8. Dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
9. Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to
use a solvent:
1. Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull
knife or scraper.
2. Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the
outside of the stain, “feathering” toward
the center.
3. Keep changing to a clean section of the cloth.
3. Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the 4. When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry the
directions on the container label. area with a
blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring.
6-47
ProCarManuals.com

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to
keep it clean by washing
it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle
in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid
or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry
on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
Before you enter an automatic car wash,
if your vehicle
is equipped with the optional power sliding door, be sure
to have
the power sliding door override feature enabled.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your
Oldsmobile by hand may be necessary to remove
residue from the paint finish. You can get GM-approved
cleaning products from your retailer. (See “Appearance
Care and Materials”
in the Index.) Your
Oldmobile has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish
or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Oldsmobile garaged or covered
whenever possible.
6-51
ProCarManuals.com

Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with
a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage
the surface of
these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body
or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure
the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired
or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your retailer or other service
outlets. Larger areas
of finish damage can be corrected
in your retailer’s body and paint shop.
6-52
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule
ifyo~1 operate your vehicle under any
sf these
conditions is that these conditions cause engine oil
to break down sooney:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive
Belt Inspection. Fuel Tmk, Cap and Lines
Inspection
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only sLlrnrnarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complefe rnuintenance schedule on
the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Long TridHiehwav Definition 1 m
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance Change (or
every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle Tire Rotation.
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine
under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slowex
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Replacement. Service (severe conditions only).
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines
Inspection (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
7-6
I Long Tripmighway Intervals 1
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedu
50,000 Miles (83 000 km) (Continued)
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid andfilter do not
require changing.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I I I
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (I 66 000 km) (Continued)
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
lf you do not use your vehicle under my of
these conditions, the fluid and jilter do not
require changing.
delivery service.
DATE
ACTUAL MILEAGE
1
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant”
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Elnission Control Service.
I 1
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-26
ProCarManuals.com

1 Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
IJ‘you do twt use your velzicle under any of
these conditiom, the fluid and-filter do not
require
ch.unging.
I I I 1
FF-1-
ACTUAL MILE * >E ISERVICED BY
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation’’
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY I
7-31
ProCarManuals.com