flat tire OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1996, Model line: AURORA, Model: OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996Pages: 388, PDF Size: 20.24 MB
Page 281 of 388

Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has the composite headlamp system. These
headlamps have horizontal and vertical aim indicators.
The aim has been pre-set at the factory and should need
no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlamp aim seems to
be affected, see your Aurora
retailer. Headlamps on damaged vehicles may require
recalibration
of the horizontal aim by your Aurora retailer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.
0 The vehicle should not have any snow, ice, or mud
attached to it.
There should not be any cargo or loading of vehicle,
except
it should have a full tank of gas and one
person or
160 pounds (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inflated.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
State inspection stations will allow a vertical reading of
plus
0.76 degrees or minus 0.76 degrees from the center
of the bubble.
It is recommended that the upper limit not exceed plus
0.4 degrees from the center of the bubble. Other drivers
may flash their bright lights at you if your adjustment is
much above plus
0.4 degrees.
If you find that the headlamp aiming needs adjustment,
follow these steps:
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Page 286 of 388

Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new Aurora 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 Aurora Warranty
booklet
for details. Poorly maintained and improperly
used tires
are dangerous. e
e
e
e
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.
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.
6-40
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Page 287 of 388

Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the rear
edge of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is
all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
0 Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 Ea).
How
to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell
if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
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Page 288 of 388

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10
000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear.
If unusual wear is present, 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 Tire-Loading
Information 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.)
6-42
. .~
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Page 292 of 388

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give
you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases,
you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel
nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum wneels, which
can sometimes be repaired). See
your
Aurora retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your
Aurora model.
I
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have
a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
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NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
I
I 1
i
’ A CAUTION: I
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven. It could
fail
suddenly and cause an accident. If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class ccS” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them
as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
6-47
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Page 319 of 388

I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
I AT THE PROPER I
I I
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This section covers the maintenance required for your
Aurora. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
n
Protection
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Have you purchased th.e GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet,
01- your Aurora
retailer
for details.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you OY a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil”
in the Index for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix
if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index
for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
Power Antenna Service
Clean power antenna mast. See “Audio Systems” in
the Index for further details.
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Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-54
AirBag
....................................... 1-18
How Does it Restrain
........................... 1-22
How it Works
................................ 1-20
Location
.................................... 1-20
Readiness Light ......................... 1 . 19, 2-64
Servicing
................................... 1-23
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-21
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-22
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-21
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6-14
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-5
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-69
Air Control. Climate Control System
............. 3.3. 3.4
Alarm. Universal Theft-Deterrent .................. 2- 15
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-53
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-28
Antifreeze
...................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.66. 4.6
Anti-LockoutFeature
............................ 2-7
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-23
Appearance Care
................................ 6-48
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-55
Arbitration Program
............................... 8-6 Ashtrays
....................................... 2-52
Audio Equipment, Adding
........................ 3-26
Audio Systems
................................. 3-10
Automatic
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Electronic Climate Control
...................... 3-1
Overdrive
................................... 2-25
Check
...................................... 7-39
Fluid
....................................... 6-17
Operation
................................... 2-23
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-41
Auto-Push Knob, Climate Control
.................. 3-2
Averagespeed
................................. 2-76
Battery
........................ : ............. 6-30
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement
.................................. 2-11
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Audio
Controls, Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-25
Automatic Transaxle
WarningLight
............................... 2-64
Warnings
................................ 5-2, 5-5
Belt, Engine Accessory
.......................... 6-70
Battery
Voltage Message
......................... 2-76
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-6
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-6
9-1
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Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-26
PedalTravel ................................. 6-29
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-29
System Warning Light
......................... 2-65
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-40
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2-18
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-45
BTSICheck
................................... 7-40
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-32
Parking
..................................... 2-26
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-5
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-68
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2.30.4.28. 4.34
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-38
Cassette Tape Player
....................... 3- 12. 3. 19
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-26
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3.13. 3.20
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-30
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-3
Certification Label
.............................. 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-47
Change Oil Soon Message
........................ 2-77 Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-24
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-45
CheckOilLevel
................................ 2-77
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-54
Child Restraints
................................ 1-34
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-36
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-38
Securing in
the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-40
TopStrap
................................... 1-35
WheretoPut
................................ 1-34
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-52
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-58
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
................... 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside
of Your Aurora ......................... 6-48
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-51
Leather
..................................... 6-51
Outside of Your Aurora
........................ 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-50
Stains
...................................... 6-50
Tires
....................................... 6-54
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Wheels
..................................... 6-53
Windshield
and Wiper Blades ................... 6-52
Climate Control, Steering Wheel Controls
........... 3-10
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3-10
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-27
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3-14, 3-21
Compact Disc Player Errors
.................. 3-17. 3-22
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