tow OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1993 Service Manual

Underhood Light
Your underhood light will go on when
you open the hood.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get
an accurate reading, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be on level
ground.
Turn off the engine and give the
oil a few minutes to drain back into the
oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil:
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back
in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower.
I 3.1L V6: Checking Engine Oil
3800 V6: Checking Engine Oil
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Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your
Oldsmobile dealer is ready to advise if
you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It's below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then
you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or 3 months-whichever
comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater (omoN)
An engine block heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18" C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see the
Index under Engine Block Heater.
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Service & Appearance Care
232
3800 V6: Checking Air Cleaner Filter
To Check or Replace:
I,+ Loosen the four wing nuts.
Air Cleaner (CONT.)
3800 V6: Replacing Air Cleaner
Filter
2. Pull the top of the air cleaner toward
the front of the vehicle and remove
the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter,
replace the cover and tighten the
wing nuts securely.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See the
Index under
Scheduled Maintenance Services.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at an Oldsmobile dealership
Service Department. If you do it
yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
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Service & Appearance Care
234
Automatic mansaxle Fluid (CONK)
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull
it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be
in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should
be, push the dipstick back
in all the
way.
I
3.1L V6: Checking Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
I
3800 V6: Checking Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind
of transaxle fluid to
use. See the Index under Fluids &
Lubricants.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level into
the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less
than a pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use
only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for your
automatic transaxle. Damage caused
by
fluid other than DEXRON -DE is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under
How to Check.
When the correct fluid level is obtained,
push
the dipstick back in all the way.
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Tire lnspection and Rotation
ro make your tires last longer, have them
[nspected and rotated at the mileages
recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule. See the
Index under
Ycheduled Maintenance Services.
Use this rotation pattern. After the tires
nave been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressure
as shown on the
Zertification/Tire label. Make certain
:hat all wheel nuts are properly
ightened. See the
Index under Wheel
Vut Torque.
1
b the parts to which it i
astened, can make wheel
3ecome loose after a time.
wheel could come off and cause an
dccident. When you change a
wheel, remove any
rust or dirl
from places where the wheel
ttaches
to the vehicle. In ar
ergency, you can use a clot1
L paper towel to do this; but b
sure
to use a scraper or wire 1:
later, if you need to, to get all the '
rust or die off. (See the Idex
under Changing a Flat Tire).
When lt's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's time for new
tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear when your
tires have only
2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or
less
of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if:
You can see the indicators at three
You can see cord or fabric showing
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut
places
around the tire,
through the tire's rubber.
or snagged deep enough to show cord
or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that can't be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damage.
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Service & Appearance Care
Using Barn-Type Cleaner on
Fabric (CONT.)
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet
sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly
damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with an air
hose, a hair dryer or a heat lamp.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvenf-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
cleaner at all. Some
spots and stains will
clean
off better with just water and mild
soap.
If you need to use it, then:
Gently scrape excess soil from the
trim material with a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should
start at the outside of the stain,
“feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section
of the
cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with
an air
hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See the
previous
NOTICE.)
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Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using
the windshield washer, or if the wiper
blade chatters when running, wax or
other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powder@ (GM
Part No. 1050011). The
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.
Clean
the blade by wiping vigorously
with a cloth soaked in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse
the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a
regular basis and replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your
Oldsmobile
The paint finish on your vehicle
provides beauty, depth of color, gloss
retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s
finish
is to keep it clean by washing it
often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct
rays of the sun. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand,
dish or vehicle washing (non-detergent)
soaps. Don’t use cleaning agents that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to dry on the surface, or
they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a
100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause
water
to enter your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of
your Oldsmobile may be necessary
to
remove residue from the paint finish.
You can get
GM approved cleaning
products from your dealer. (See the
Index under Appearance Care.)
Your Oldsmobile has a “basecoatl
clearcoat” paint finish. The clearcoat
gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat.
Machine compounding
or
aggressive polishing on a
~:-~~:- basecoat/clearcoat paint finis
dull the finish
or leave swirl
marks., . , .. .
II
I
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Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-
door delivery, or in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You tow a trailer.
If any one (or more) of these is true for your driving, follow
Schedule
I.
Schedule /I
Follow Schedule 11 only if none of the above conditions is
true.
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Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance
280
Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your vehicle is
MAINLY driven under one or more
of the following conditions:
When nmst trips are less than 4 miles
(6 km)*
When most trips are less than 10 miles
(16 km) and outside temperatures
remainbelow freezing.
When must trips. include extended
idling and/or fkpent low-speed
operation,
8s in stop-and-go traffic.
9 When towing a trailer.
0 When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should aIso be followed if
the vehicle is used for delivery sewice,
police,
taxi or other commercial
applications.
*An Emission Control Sewice.
*The US. Environmental Protection Agency
has determined that theJhilure to pe@m this
maintenance item will not nullifjl the emission
narrataty or limit rwxzll liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle us&l l@. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended wzipltenance services
be pefomd at the
indicated intervals and the wlaintenunce be
raorded
irt Section E: M&ztmunce Record.
TO BE SERVICED WHEN TO PERFORM ITEM NO. See L5phtion of Scheduled Maintenance Miles (kilometers) or Months
Services following Schedules I and n. (whichever occursfiwt).
I 2 I Chassis Lubrication I Every 3W Miles (5 OOO km) or 12 Months.
Tm and Wheel Rotation & Inspection At 6,OOO Miles (loo00 km) and then every
15,000 Miles (25 000 km) or as n-sary. I
I Every 30,000 Miles (50 OOO km) or 24 Months.
I 8 I Spark Plug blacment* I Every 30,000 Miles. (50 OOO km).
I 10 I Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System
I ’* I
Air Cleaner Inspection
(3.L Code D engine only)**
Engine-Timing and Distributor Check Every 60,000 Miles (lo0 OOO km) or 60 Months.
(3.L Code D &e only)*
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ITEM
NO.
5
6
7
SERVICE
Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection-
Inspect the drive belt for cracks, hying, wear and
proper tension. Replace as needed.
Cooling
System Service*-Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to
GM Specification 1825M. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See the
Index under Coolant. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level and engine operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they
are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap and
neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recornmend a
pressure test of both the cooling system
and the
pressure cap.
Transaxle Service-Change both the fluid and
filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more
of these
conditions:
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
In heavy city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches
90" F (32" C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change both the fluid and filter
every
100,OOO miles (160 000 km).
with the proper type. See the Index under
Replacement Parts.
9 Spark Plug Wire Inspection*-Inspect for burns,
cracks
or other damage. Check the boot fit at the
distributor or coils and at the spark plugs. Replace
wires as needed. service.
8 Spark Plug
Replacement*-Replace spark plugs
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