Oldsmobile Cutlass 1999 Owner's Manuals

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6-27 Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If
you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make a few
moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles (1 600 km),
so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
pumping the brake pedal repeatedly while the engine is
running with the shift lever in PARK (P).
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts
have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle
is to have really good braking. Your vehicle was designed
and tested with top
-quality GM brake parts. When you
replace parts of your braking system
-- for example, when
your brake linings wear down and you have to have new ones
put in
-- be sure you get new approved GM replacement
parts. If you don't, your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and rear
brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you've come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery's label.

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6-28 Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
This section describes bulb changing procedures for
some of your interior and exterior lamps. For bulb sizes,
see ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index. For any bulbs not
listed in this section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.

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6-29 Headlamps
1. With the hood open and the engine off, pull the
fastener out of the plastic splash shield covering the
top of the headlamp assembly and remove it.
2. Carefully pull directly up on the two latches.
3. Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle by
pulling forward. Use care not to scratch the vehicle
with the lamp or the lamp with the fender.
4. Unclip the wiring harness and twist the bulb less
than one
-quarter of a turn counterclockwise and
remove. Gently wiggle the bulb out of the socket.

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6-30
5. Reconnect the wiring harness to the bulb or
lamp assembly.
6. Replace the lamp to its original position by carefully
lining up the lamp to the mounting balls.
7. Press down on the two latches. Replace the splash
shield by pushing down on the retainer.
Front Exterior Bulbs
A. Front Turn Signal
B. High
-Beam Headlamp
C. Low
-Beam Headlamp

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6-31 Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
1. With the hood open and the engine off, pull the
fastener out of the plastic splash shield covering the
top of the headlamp assembly and remove it.
2. Carefully pull directly up on the two latches.
3. Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle by
pulling forward. Use care not to scratch the vehicle
with the lamp or the lamp with the fender.
4. Unclip the wiring harness and twist the bulb less
than one
-quarter of a turn counterclockwise and
remove. Gently wiggle the bulb out of the socket.

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6-32
5. Press the tab on the white bulb socket and twist it
less than one
-quarter of a turn counterclockwise.
6. Reconnect the wiring harness to the bulb or
lamp assembly.
7. Replace the lamp to its original position by carefully
lining up the lamp to the mounting balls.
8. Press down on the two latches. Replace the splash
shield by pushing down on the retainer.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
1. Open the trunk and locate the CHMSL housing at the
top of the trunk.
2. Twist the bulb housing one
-quarter of a turn
counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Gently remove the bulb(s) and replace with a
new one.

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6-33 Rear Exterior Lamps
A. Back-Up Lamp
B. Taillamp/Stoplamp
C. Rear Turn Signal Lamp
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal/Back-Up Lamps
1. Unscrew the
fastener that holds
in the trunk trim.
2. Gently pull back the trunk trim.

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6-34
3. Remove the three plastic wingnuts.4. Pull out the taillamp assembly to expose
the backplate.

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6-35
5. Carefully remove the backplate by pulling the four
outer tabs and two inner tabs sideways away from
the backplate.
6. Gently wiggle the bulbs to remove them from the
socket. Replace the bulb.
7. Reverse the steps to reassemble the rear lamp
assembly and mount to the car.Make sure that all six tabs are securely fastened to
the backplate before reassembling the lamp.
8. When securing the lamp back into place, align the
lamp so that the trunk lid doesn't contact it.
Dome Lamp
To change your dome lamp bulb, grasp the center front
and center rear portion of the housing and squeeze
firmly but gently. The housing should pop off.
If this doesn't work, you may need to use a small
flat
-head screwdriver under the side of the housing to
help pry it off.

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6-36
Windshield Wiper Blade ReplacementWindshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in Section 7 of this manual under Part B ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and
length, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº in the Index.
Here's how to remove the Shepherd's Hook type:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.