steering OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2003 Owner's Guide

Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or Other ObJeCtS.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
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Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service ............................................................ 5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................ -5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle
...................................................... 5-4
Fuel
................................................................ 5-5
Gasoline Octane
............................................ 5-5
Gasoline Specifications
.................................... 5-5
California Fuel
............................................... 5-6
Additives
......................................... ...... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
........................... 5-7
Filling Your Tank
........................................ 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
..... . 5-11
the Hood
.................................................... 5-12
Hood Release
.............................................. 5-13
Engine Compartment Overview
....................... 5-14
Engine Oil
................................................... 5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
................................ 5-21
P,L!tSrn2.tlC Tr2!ns2x!n !=!!lid ............................. .- E;-33 --
Engine Coolant ............................................. 5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
.................. 5-28
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5-28
Cooling System
............................................ 5-31
.W indshieid .Washer Fiuid 5-36
Checking Things Under
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5-37 ~ ................................
Brakes ........................................................ 5.39
Battery
........................................................ 5.42
Jump Starting
............................................... 5-44
Headlamp Aiming
.............................. ...... 5-50
Bulb Replacement ......................................... -5-54
Halogen Bulbs
............................................. -5-54
Headlamps
................................................. -5-55
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
.......... 5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps
..................................... 5-58
Replacement Bulbs
....................................... 5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.............. 5-59
Tires
.............................................................. 5-60
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ................................ 5-60
Check Tire Pressure System
.......................... 5-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation
........................... 5-63
When It Is Time for New Tires
....................... 5-65
Buying New Tires
......................................... 5-66
UIIIIUIIII I Ilt: Uudllly uldullly d-UI
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance .................. 5-68
Wheel Replacement
...................................... 5-68
Tire Chains
................................................. -5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................ 5-70
Changing a Flat Tire
..................................... 5-71
Compact Spare Tire
5-81
I I.-:+- T. n . ._I.&. . n.-- -I:__ _. re7 ..........................
- ......................................
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Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release
handle, located to the
left of the steering
wheel under the
instrument panel.
A!!
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on
3. Lift the hood.
the secondary
hood release.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on properly. Then pull the hood down and
close it firmly.
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A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Passenger Compartment Air Filter
G. Remote Negative (-) Terminal
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Engine Oil Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
L. Engine Air CleanedFilter
.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instnJment chster, it me;lns yn~~ need to check
your engine oil level right away. For more information,
see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is near the center
of the engine compartment
on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle. See
Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-14 for more
information
on location. I
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid
loss in this system
and repaired. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-74 for reservoir location.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the fluid !eve!
on the
dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Tire Chains
If your vehicle has P235/55R17 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured
in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends
it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the front tires.
Notice: If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P235/55R17 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class
”S” 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.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout”, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
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A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to
a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers. Changing a tire can cause an in-
y. The
vehicle can
slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move, you can put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.
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Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
~~~ ~~
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6.2 At Least Once a Year ................................... 6.10
Introduction
................................................... 6.2 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections ......... 6.13
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2 Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6.2 Boot and Seal Inspection ............................ 6.13
How This Section is Organized
......................... 6.3
Exhaust System Inspection ............................ 6.13
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services ........... 6.4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
, 6.4 Fuel System Inspection
6.13
Scheduled Maintenance Engine Cooling System Inspection
6.14
...................... ...... 6.5
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services 6-9 Throttle
System Inspection 6.14
At Each Fuel Fill
............................................ 6.9 Brake System Inspection 6.14
At Least Twice a Year
................................... 6.10 Part E: Maintenance Record ........................... 6.16
.................................. .......... ...... ...................
............................. ................. ................................
At Least Once a Month ................................... 6.9 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .... 6-15
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these
jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page
7-9.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
iirles artJ i~uses iur pruper i1uui.i-up, bit Idit 16, it=ai.is,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts
as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page
2-33.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage
I Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil 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
Engme Oil on
page 5- 15.
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See
Enqlne Coolant on Engine Coolant
Windshield GM Optikleen Washer Solvent or
Washer Solvent
I eauivalent.
Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis Lubricant
(GM Part
No.
US. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. US. i052884, in Canada power
System 993294, or equivalent).
I Usaae I FluidLubricant
I 8,"gFEi; I Fluid. DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Y
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
GM Part No.
U.S. 12346241, in Ke Lock
inders Lanada 10953474, or
equivalent).
Floor Shift Linkage Lubri late
Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part
L 0. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent)
or lubricant
meeting re uirements of NLGl #2,
Cateqow
L a or GC-LB.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Sprin Anchor and
w elease
Pawl Lubri
late Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part
R 0. US. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting re uirements of NLGl #2,
Category
L a or GC-LB.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
Hoo~,a,ngde~oor FM anada Part 10953474, No. US. 12346241, or equivalent). in
Fuel Door,
Glove
Box
Door, Console
Door and Rear
Compartment Lid Hinges Multi-Purpose
Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
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