windshield wipers OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual
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Windshield Wipers Windshield  Washer 
You control the windshield wipers  by turning the band 
marked 
WIPER. 
For  a single wiping cycle,  turn the band to MIST. Hold 
it there until the wipers start,  then let go. The  wipers  will 
stop after  one cycle. 
If you want more cycles, hold  the 
band on mist  longer. 
For delayed wiping cycles,  you can set the wiper speed 
for  a long  or short delay between wipes. This can be 
very  useful in light  rain or snow.  Turn the band  to 
choose  the delay time.  The closer to  LOW, the shorter 
the delay time. 
For steady wiping cycles,  at low speed,  turn the band 
away from  you to the 
LOW position. For high-speed 
wiping, turn the band further  to 
HIGH. To stop the 
wipers, move the  band to 
OFF. 
Remember  that  damaged  wiper  blades  may  prevent you 
from seeing  well  enough  to drive  safely. To avoid  damage, 
be  sure  to  clear  ice  and  snow 
fiom the  wiper  blades  before 
using  them. 
If they’re  frozen  to  the  windshield,  carefidly 
loosen  or  thaw  them. 
If your  blades  do become  damaged, 
get  new  blades  or  blade  inserts. 
Heavy snow or  ice can  overload your wipers. 
A circuit 
breaker  will stop them  until the motor cools. Clear away 
snow  or  ice  to prevent  an overload.  To 
wash  your windshield,  press and hold the windshield 
washer paddle. The washers and wipers  will operate. 
When  you  release the paddle, the washers  will stop, and 
the  wipers  will  continue to operate for two cycles, unless 
your wipers  had  already been on. In that case, the wipers 
will resume the wiper speed you had selected 
earl+. 
In  freezing  weather,  don’t  use  your  washer  until 
the  windshield  is warmed.  Otherwise  the  washer 
fluid  can  form  ice  on  the  windshield,  blocking 
your  vision. 
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5. Replace the bulb(s) by pulling the old  one(s) out 
and gently pushing the 
new one(s) into the bulb 
holder socket. 
7. Reinstall the taillamp assembly  by inserting the 
outboard  locatingketaining  pins until the lamp is 
seated.  Secure  with the inboard  screws. 
For any bulb changing procedure not listed  in this 
section, contact your retailer service department. 
Windshield  Wiper 
Blade  Replacement 
For the proper windshield wiper blade  length and type, 
see  “Replacement Parts” in  the Index. 
Replacement blades come in different  types 
and are 
removed 
in different ways. Here’s  how to remove  the 
type with  a  release clip: 
1. Turn the wipers on  to the  lowest  intermittent setting. 
2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers  are  at the 
outer  positions  of the wipe pattern.  The blades  are 
more accessible for removalheplacement  while  in 
A. Tail Bulb C. Turn  Signal  Bulb 
B. Back-up  Bulb D. Stop/Tail Bulb  this position. 
6. Snap the bulb  holder back  into place making  sure all 
retaining tabs 
are properly over the bulb holder tabs. 
3. Pull  the windshield wiper arm away  from  the 
windshield 
or backglass. 
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Electrical System 
Add-on Electrical  Equipment 
NOTICE: 
Don’t  add  anything  electrical  to  your  vehicle 
unless  you  check  with  your  retailer  first.  Some 
electrical  equipment  can  damage  your  vehicle 
and  the  damage  wouldn’t  be  covered 
by your 
warranty.  Some  add-on  electrical  equipment 
can  keep  other  components  from  working 
as 
they  should. 
Your  vehicle  has an air bag  system.  Before attempting  to 
add anything electrical to your  vehicle,  see “Servicing 
Your  Air Bag-Equipped  Vehicle” in the Index. 
Headlamp  Wiring 
The headlamp wiring is protected  by an internal  circuit 
breaker in the 
I/P fuse  panel.  An electrical  overload will 
cause  the lamps to 
go on and off,  or in some cases to 
remain off.  If this happens, have your headlamp wiring 
checked right  away. 
Windshield  Wipers 
The windshield wiper motor is protected  by an internal 
circuit breaker and a fuse.  If the motor overheats due 
to 
heavy  snow, etc., the wiper will  stop until the motor 
cools.  If the overload  is caused by some electrical 
problem, be  sure  to  get  it  fixed. 
Power  Windows and Other  Power  Options 
Circuit breakers in the I/P fuse panel protect the power 
windows and  other power accessories.  When the current 
load  is too  heavy,  the circuit breaker opens and  closes, 
protecting the circuit until the problem is  fixed. 
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