steering Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1996 s Owner's Guide

When your vehicle is being towed,. have the ignition key
turned to the
OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clhmped in
a straight-ahead position; with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The transaxle
should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before
it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbiqg, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted
in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
Don’t have your vehicle tawed on the drive wheels,
unless
you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in
this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

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.
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 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.
5-23

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
If you let your tires spin
at high speed, they can
.explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or othen damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains
on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed
out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
5-34

A. Engine Coolant R&ervoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D, Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
6-8 I

When you open the hood of the 3.4L LQ 1 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
J. Battery (located under Windshield Reservoir
Washer Fluid Reservoir)
6-9

How To Check Power Steering Fluid Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
6-25

Fuse
16
19
21
23
24
28
Rating Description
REAR DEFOG -- HVAC Control
Assembly Rear Window Defogger Switch
Courtesy Lamp, Antenna Relay, Power
Mirror Switch, Door Lock Switches,
Door Handle Switches
AIR BAG
-- Air Bag System
STOPLAMPS
-- TCCBrake Switch
CRUISE CONTROL
CTSY LAMPS
-- Vanity Mirrors, IP
Courtesy Lamps, IP Compartment Lamp,
Header Courtesy and Reading Lamp, I/S
Lighted Rearview Mirror, Dome and
Reading Lamp, Quarter Courtesy Lamps
POWER ACCESSORY
#1-- Trunk
Fuse Rating Description
29 WIPER -- Wiper
Switch
30 TURN SIGNAL
L- Turn Signal Flasher
32 POWER LOCKS
-- Door Lock Relay
37 AUXILIARY POWER
38 RADIO
-- Radio, Steering Wheel
39
I/P ELECTRONICS IGNITION
Radio Switches
FEED
-- Headlamp
Switch, Cruise
Control Cut-Out Switch, Air Bag System,
TCCBrake Switch, Instrument Cluster,
Chime Module, Second-Gear
Start
Switch, Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module
.
6-63

Underhood Electrical Center -- Driver’s Side
Some fuses are in the underhood electrical centers on
the driver’s side
of the engine compartment.
I
.
FOG LPS PARKLPS HORN
000 ABS ’ VAR PIS
c
10 11
I
Fuse Description
FOG LPS Fog Lamps
PARK LPS Headlamp Switch
HORN
Horn Relay, Underhood Lamp
VAR PIS
EVO Steering
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System
6-66

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom of movement. Refer to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I I
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-7

I
I I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first). I
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
, r
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
17 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if
necessary. An Emission Control Service.
7-8