trailer OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 User Guide

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here‘s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and
then shift to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
I. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine:
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let LIP on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these
is covered in this manual, and ;he Index will
help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it‘s a good
idea to review these sections before you stat your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Aurora’s instrunlent panel. Your information center
will
also display messages about engine overheating. See
“Coolant Temperature Gage“
in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message
HOT STOP ENGINE display, an overheat protection
mode which alternates firing groups of four cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. This operating mode
allows
YOLIP vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive
up to 50 miles (80 km).
Towing a trailer in the overheat protection lnode should
be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the “Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode,” to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil may be
severely degraded. Change the oil and reset the
oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil, When to
Change” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
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NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty. See “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot
when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you‘re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving --
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back
on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there‘s still no sign
of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning,
turf? ofthe engine and get everyone out qf the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed previously
in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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As shown in the chart, SAE 10W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE SW-30 if it’s going
to be colder than
60°F (16°C) before your next oil
change. When it‘s very cold. you should use
SAE
SW-30. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
X SAE 2OW-SO.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the proper oil
can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil)
meets all the requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Aurora retailer is
ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to I0 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.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If any one of-. these is true for your vehicle, then you
need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever comes first. (See
“Change Oil Message”
in the Index.) If the CHANGE
OIL NOW message appears in the Driver Information
Center,
you should change your oil.
If none of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles
( 12 SO0 km) or 12 months -- whichever
colnes first. (See “Change Oil Message’‘
in the Index.)
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change.
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93
"C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
0 With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push
it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
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Maintenance Schedule
I Schedule I Definition I
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is
true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
Schedule
I should also be followed if the vehicle is used
for delivery service, police, taxi, or other commercial
application.
Schedule I Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months,
Whichever Occurs First
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) or 6 Months,
Whichever Occurs First
Chassis Lubrication
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every
12,000 Miles
(25 000 km)
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Tire Rotation Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty
conditions
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Wire Inspection
Fuel Tank. Cap and Lines Inspection
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first)
Cooling System Service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first)
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Every 100,000 Miles
(166 000 km)
Automatic Transaxle Service (severe conditions only)
Spark Plug Replacement
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I Maintenance Schedule I I
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage (or every
6 months,
whichever occurs first).
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom
two screens if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 OF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
delivery service.
DATE SERVICED BY. ACTUAL MILEAGE
1 I 7-15
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I Maintenance Schedule I I
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first). An
Emission Control Service.
*
ACTUAL MILEAGE
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission
Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom
two screens if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90 "F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE (SERVICED BY:
7-25
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Maintenance Schedule I1
I
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Arz Em'ssion Control Service. *
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage
(or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom
two screens
if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more
of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, &e .fluid an.dfilter do not
require
clmzging.
delivery service.
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97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0
0 0
Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sen1ic.e. ‘i:
Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift: linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage (or
every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
I I I I
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission
Control Sewice.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom
two screens
if the vehicle is mainly driven
under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
9OoF
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing
delivery service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-35
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