suspension OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2003 Owners Manual

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.
5-70
ProCarManuals.com

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
6- 1
ProCarManuals.com

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.
6-1 3
ProCarManuals.com

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario KIA ON5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-442-6537, or write:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33171
Detroit, MI 48232-51 71
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL
SELL PRICE: $120.00
7-9
ProCarManuals.com

H
Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-4
Head Restraints
....................................... . 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming
....................................................... 5-50
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer .................... 3-7
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming
............................. 5-51
Headlamp Vertical Aiming
................................. 5-52
Headlamp Wiring ............................................ 5-91
Headlamps
.................................................... 5-55
Bulb Replacement
....................................... 5-54
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
............. 5-57
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-54
Headlamps on Reminder
.................................. 3-15
Heated Seats
............................................... 1-5
Highway Hypnosis ................................. ... 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
................ ... 4-24
Hitches
.......................................................... 4-39
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming
.................. 2-42
HomeLink@ Transmitter
.................................... 2-41
Hood
UI ICLRII ly I I Ill 1y3 VI IUGl 5- I L
Release ..................................................... 5-1 3
Horn
............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
.. 5-33
How to Add Fluid
............................................ 5-24
How to Check ........................................ 5-22, 5-61
OL--I..-- TI^: --.- I I--1- .. Am ................................
How to Check Power Steering Fluid ....... .... 5-37
How to Use This Manual
................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............... 1-13
Hydroplaning
.............................................. 4-19
If
No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-30
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-29
If the Light Is Flashing ..................................... 3-40
If the Light Is on Steady .................................. 3-41
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ....... 4-32
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
..................... 4-37
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-29
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-23
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-12
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
....................... 3-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-30
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-60
Inspection
Brake System
.......................... ........ 6-14
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-13
Fuel System
............................................... 6-13
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
......................................... 6-13
Throttle System
........................................... 6-14
Engine
Cooling System
................. .... 6-14
7
ProCarManuals.com

Seats Head Restraints
............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats
............................................... 1-5
Manual Lumbar
............................................. 1-3
Manual Passenger
......................................... 1-2
Memory
..................................................... 2-48
Power Lumbar
.......................................... 1-4
Power Seats
.................. ................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks
...................................... 1-5
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System
................... 1-42
Rear Seat Position
...................................... 1-42
Right Front Seat Position
.............................. 1-44
Security Feedback
.................................... 2-8, 3-56
Security While You Travel
.................................. 7-5
Sensors
......................................................... 3-25
Service
........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle
.................................................. 5-4
Doing Your Own Work
................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light
....................................... 3-39
Publications Ordering Information
..................... 7-9
Service Manuals
............................................... 7-9
Setting Preset Stations
.................................... 3-61
Setting Preset PTYs
........................................ 3-64
3tiVibt UUiIC11113 /-1u P-.- ..-- n . .II-L.-- 7 4n .............................................
Setting the Time .......................................... 3-59 Setting
the Tone (Bassnreble)
........... .... 3-61
Sheet Metal Damage
........................ .... 5-87
Shifting Into Park (P)
....................................... 2-30
Shifting Out
of Park (P) ................................... 2-32
Skidding
........................................................ 4-15
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
....................... 4-20
Specifications. Capacities
............................... 5-1 00
Speedometer .................................................. 3-32
Starter Switch Check
....................................... 6-11
Starting Your Engine
....................................... 2-24
Steering
........................................................ 4-10
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-12
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
..................................... 6-13
Steering Tips
.................................................. 4-11
Steering Wheel Climate Controls
....................... 3-28
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio
......................... 3-74
Storage Areas
Convenience Net
......................................... 2-46
Front Storage Area
...................................... 2-45
Glove
Box .................................................. 2-45
Rear Storage Area
....................................... 2-46
~LWIIII~ ii-e rrat III~: a~lu loois 3-f~
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools ....................... 5-80
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
...................... 4-32
Sun Visors
............................... ........... 2-18
Sunroof
................................... ....... 2-47
n1 .... Pl~ I T . IT - -- ..........................
13
ProCarManuals.com