service indicator Oldsmobile Achieva 1998 Owner's Manuals

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.
2-31

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensor, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information
on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine
or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come
on when you start the
engine, then it should
go out.
2-51

I
I
1
I
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on
and stays on, the vehicle
pulled
off the road and the
coolant level checked.
LOW should promptly be
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index. If there are visible
signs of steam, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
before opening
the hood. Have your vehicle serviced
as soon as you can.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
I
CHECK
ENGINE
I
United States
CHECK
Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called
OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent.
This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
I NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be
as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
2-55

Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
This light will come on
briefly when you are
starting the engine.
If it stays on, or if it comes on and stays on while you
are driving, check your various gages to see if they
are in the warning zones.
Fuel Gage
W
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left, when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears EMPTY
(E), you still
have a little fuel left, but
you should get more
soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
0
0
0
0
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads
FULL (F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but
it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner
or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back
to EMPTY (E) when you
turn
off the ignition.
2-60

The recommended cleaning method for your cassette
tape player is the use
of a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette
is available through
your retail facility
(GM Part No. 12344789).
When using a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning
cassette, it is normal for the cassette to eject because
your unit is equipped with a cut tape detection feature
and a cleaning cassette may appear as a broken tape. If
the cleaning cassette ejects, insert the cassette at least
three times to ensure thorough cleaning.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner may
not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner.
The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning
cassette is not recommended.
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio
will display
--- to show the indicator was reset. Cassettes are subject to wear and
the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge
of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
3-20

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications.
If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your
vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return
to your authorized Oldsmobile retailer for diagnosis to
determine the cause of failure. In the event it
is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated
for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains
MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on. If this occurs, return
to your authorized
Oldsmobile retailer for service. To
provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to
add anything to the fuel, In addition, gasolines
containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines
if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
6-4

Brake Wear
I A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
0
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example,
just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in the Index. The
brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-29

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

Tires (Continued)
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-25
Compact Spare
............................... 5-36
Cleaning
.................................... 6-49
Inflation
.................................... 6-37
Inflation Check
............................... 7-30
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-38
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-37
Temperature
................................. 6-42
Traction
.................................... 6-41
Treadwear
................................... 6-41
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-41
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-43
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-39
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-42
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-39
TopStrap
..................................... 1-44
TorqueLock
................................... 2-25
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-33. 6-58
Towing
From the Front (Automatic Transaxle)
............ 4-29
From the Rear
............................... 4-30
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-29
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................ 4-29
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
(Automatic Transaxle)
.......................... 4-29
Towing
Your Vehicle From the Rear ................ 4-30 Trailer
Backingup
................................. 4-37
Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-38
Driving with a
............................... 4-37
Following Distance When Driving with a
.......... 4-37
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-40
Making Turns with a
.......................... 4-38
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-39
Passing with a
............................... 4-37
Safety Chains
................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-38
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Transaxle Automatic
.......................... 6-18
Transmitters. Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-6
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Lock ....................................... 2-10
Release. Remote
.............................. 2-10
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-30
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-31
Turn Signalhlultifunction Lever
................... 2-30
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-38
Underbody Flushing Service
..................... 7-33
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-50
9-10