key Oldsmobile Achieva 1998 s Owner's Guide

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Set the parking brake.
Open the fuse panel
on the driver’s side of the
instrument panel. Remove the fuse labeled
PRNDL.
This will keep your battery from draining
while towing.
Turn the ignition key to
OFF to unlock the steering
wheel. See “Ignition Positions” in the Index.
Clamp the steering wheel in
a straight-ahead
position, with a clamping device designed
for towing.
Release the parking brake.
When you are finished towing, make sure you replace
the
PRNDL fuse in the instrument panel fuse block.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear
I NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
4-30

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
Move the switch to the right
to make your front and rear
turn signal lights flash
on
and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, move the switch to the left.
When the hazard warning flashers are
on, your turn
signals won’t work.
5-2

!L CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key off. The steering wheel should be clamped
in a
straight-ahead position, with
a clamping device
designed for towing service. Do not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be
in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, see speed and distance restrictions later
in
this section or your transaxle will be damaged. If these
limits must be exceeded, then the drive wheels have to
be supported on a dolly.
5-10
-

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If
you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, trunk lid,
glove box door and console door. Part
D tells you what
to use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-31

Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.
around the vehicle.
3. On
automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on
a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If
the shift lever
moves out of PARK
(P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
7-32

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
On all vehicles, the key should come out
only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
1 A CAUTLN:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin
to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-33

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your retailer.
USAGE ~~~
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake System
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
Delco Supreme
ll@ Brake Fluid
(GM Part
No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
USAGE
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door Hinges
Weatherstrip Conditioning
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate@ Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements of
NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
%
%
7-36

Headlamps .................................... 2-37
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-32
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-31
OnReminder
................................ 2-38
Wiring
..................................... 6-53
Heating
........................................ 3-3
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-9
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-3 1
Ho~ ......................................... 2-29
If a Tire Goes Flat
.............................. 5-24
Ignition Positions
............................... 2- 13
Transaxle Lock Check
......................... 7-33
Illuminated EntryExit System
..................... 2-40
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-37
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-42
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-35
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-34
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-34
Steering
.................................... 7-34
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance
................... 7-34 Suspension
.................................. 7-34
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-34
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-46
Brightness Control
............................ 2-39
Cleaning
.................................... 6-46
Cluster
..................................... 2-48
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-54
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-39
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-26
Jumpstarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-31
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-31
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-52
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-31
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-52
Lamps
........................................ 2-37
Exterior
.................................... 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-39
OnReminder
................................ 2-38
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-25
Lighter
....................................... 2-44
Lights Air Bag Readiness
............................ 1-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.53, 4.7
9-5

Lights (Continued) Brake System Warning
.................... 2.52. 6.3 1
Brake System Warning. ABS ............... 2-53. 6-28
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-5 1
CheckEngine ................................ 2-55
Check Gages
................................ 2-60
CheckOil
................................... 2-58
Cruise
...................................... 2-59
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
............... 2-57
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
....... 2-54. 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
..... 2-53. 4-9
ETS Warning
............................ 2-53. 4-9
Interior
..................................... 2-39
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-55
LowWasher
................................. 2-59
Passlock Warning
............................. 2-59
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-7. 2-51
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-3 1
Lock-Out Switch ............................... 2-29
Locks
......................................... 2-4
Automatic Door
............................... 2-5
Cylinders
................................... 7-31
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-33
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-3 1
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-5
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-55
Low Washer Light
.............................. 2-59
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-36
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-3 1
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-59
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-37
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-30
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-34
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-36
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short TripKity Definition
....................... 7-5
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-50
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Long
TripMighway Definition
................... 7-6
Organization
.................................. 7-3
Short TripKity Intervals
........................ 7-5
Making Turns with a Trailer
...................... 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-55
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-42
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-42
Inside DayNight Rearview
..................... 2-42
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-42
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-45
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-30
Neutral, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-20
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-13
Nightvision
................................... 4-16
9-6