flat tire OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 Owners Manual

The 1997 Oldsrnobile Cutlass Owner’s Manual
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3-1
4-1
5-1
6-1
7-1
8- 1
9-1 Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how
to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Oldsmobile.\

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate \
your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll fiid helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive \
under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or ove\
rheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Oldsmobile running properly and looking good. \
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and \
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Oldsmobile for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information
on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-8.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to
go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile retail facilities all across North America.
They’ll be ready and willing to help
if you need it. Here are some things you
can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear
8
I NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Loading Your Vehicle
Fm OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
?
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
FRT. CTR.
RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA. IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge
of the driver's side rear passenger
door tells you the proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures
for the tires on your
vehicle. It also gives you important information about
the number
of people that can be in your vehicle and the
total weight that you can carry.
This weight is called the
Vehicle Capacity Weight,
and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all nonfactory-installed options.
4-30
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
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5-2
5-3
5-8
5- 10
5-11
5-12 5-13
How to Use Warning Flashers
Other Types of Warning Devices
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting
Information
You Should Know Before Towing
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
If Your Engine is Overheating
If Steam is Coming From
Your Engine
5- 16
5-20
5-2
1
5-30
5-32
5-33
5-33
How to Add Coolant
What to do if a Tire Goes Flat
How to Change a Flat Tire
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools
Information on the Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice
How to Rock Your Vehicle
5-1
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5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is tight.
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.
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.
5-20
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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 injury. The vehicle
can dip 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. lhrn 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.
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
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m
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18” (46cm) M
18 (46cm)
4. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits
firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s frame nearest
the flat tire. Put the compact spare tire near you.
~
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
NOTICE:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned
will damage the vehicle or may allow
the vehicle
to fall off the jack. Be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising your vehicle.
5-25
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NOTICE:
Do not jack or lift the vehicle using the oil pan.
Pans could crack and begin to leak fluid. When
jacking or lifting your vehicle, always place the
jack in the proper position.
NOTICE:
Do not jack or lift the vehicle using the
suspension components. Suspension components
can be damaged by doing this. When jacking or
lifting your vehicle, always place the jack in the
proper position.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench to the
right. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so
there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.
6. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
7. Then take off the flat tire.
5-26
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11. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence, as shown. I NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation .and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repair.., evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper sequenee~ and to the
proper torque specification.
Don’t try to put a wheel cover on YQU~ comp:act spare
tire.
It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover and wheel^ nut
caps in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
I NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
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A. Nut
B. Cover
C. Wing Bolt I
D. Extension (Aluminum wheels only)
E. Adapter
E Wrench
G. Jack
. Flat Road Tire
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