trailer OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 User Guide

Your Driving and the Road
156
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on
a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place choclts under
the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
apply your parking brake, and then
shift to
P (Park).
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
Affer Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while
you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of
the chocks.
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule
for more on
this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are
automatic transaxle fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, belts, cooling
system, and brake adjustment. Each of
these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you find them quicltly. If
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
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Problems on the Road
If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
€ngine
If you get the overheat warning but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with
no
sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
highest fan speed
and open the
window as necessary.
3. Try to keep your engine under load
(in a drive gear where the engine
runs slower).
If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes. If
the warning doesn't come back
on, you
can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, you can
idle the engine for two or three minutes
while you're parked, to see if the
warning stops. But then,
if you still
have the warning, TURN
OFF THE
ENGINE AND GET EVERYONE OUT
OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but
to get service help right away.
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As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be 0°F
(-18°C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show
its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SH or SG
“SH’ or “SG’ must be on the oil container,
either by itself or combined with other
quality designations, such as “SHKD,”
“SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. These
letters show American Petroleum
Institute (API) levels of quality.
SAE 1OW-30 (3800 engine)
SAE 5W-30 (3100 engine)
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on
most containers.
If you cannot find oils
with the “starburst” symbol,
you should
look for oils with the doughnut shaped
symbol, containing the three things
noted above. If
you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API SH or
SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
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 ltm).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 ltm).
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 ltm) or 3
months - whichever comes first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 ltm) or 12
months -whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
An engine coolant 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
Engine
Coolant Heater in the Index. 193
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3100 V6: Replacing Air Cleaner Filter
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter,
replace the cover and tighten the
wing nut securely.
3800 V6 Checking Air Cleaner Filter
To Check or Replace: .
1. Loosen the four wing nuts.
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
Scheduled Maintenance
Services
in the Index.
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.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transaxle.
Too much
can mean that some of the fluid
could come out and fall on hot
engine parts or exhaust system,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before
checking the transaxle fluid level
if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot
While pulling a trailer.
90°F (32°C).
weather.
195
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inspections that your Oldsmobile
dealer’s service department or another
qualified service center should perform.
Section
D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants lists some products
GM
recommends to help keep your vehicle
properly maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used
whether you do the work yourself or
have
it done.
Section
E: Maintenance Record
provides
a place for you to record the
maintenance performed on your vehicle.
Whenever any maintenance is
performed, be sure to write
it down in
this section. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance
should be done. In addition, it is
a good
idea to keep your maintenance receipts.
They may be needed to qualify your
vehicle for warranty repairs.
Section A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance
Schedule
This section tells you the maintenance
services you should have done and
when you should schedule them. Your
Oldsmobile dealer knows your vehicle
best and wants you to be happy with it.
If
you go to your dealer for your service
needs, you’ll know that GM-trained and
supported service people will perform
the work using genuine
GM parts.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits.
You will find
these limits on your vehicle’s
CertificatiodTire label. See
Loading
Your Vehicle in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
use the recommended unleaded fuel.
See
Fuel in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the
two schedules is right for your vehicle.
Here’s how to decide which schedule to
follow:
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your
vehicle?
Most trips are less than 4 miles
Most trips are less than 10 miles
(6 ltm) .
(16 ltm) 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).
areas.
You operate your vehicle in dusty
You tow a trailer.
If any one (or more) of these is true for
your driving, follow Schedule
I.
Schedule I1
Follow Schedule I1 only if none of the
above conditions is true.
233
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Muintenunce Schedule
234
Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your vehicle is
MAINLY driven under one or more of
the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles
When most trips are less than 10
(6
ltm)
.
miles (16 ltrn) and outside
temperatures remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended
idling and/or frequent low-speed
operation, as in stop-and-go traffic.
When towing a trailer.
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if
the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi
or other commercial
applications.
::: = An Emission Control Service.
j- = The U.S. Emiyonmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure
to pelform this
maintenance item will
not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior
to the completion of vehicle useful life.
General Motors, however, urges that all
recommended maintenance services be
pelformed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded in “Section
E:
Maintenance Record.”
ITEM TO BE SERVICED WHEN TO PERFORM
No* See Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Miles (Kilometers) or Months
Services
following Schedules I and 11. (whichever occurs firsl).
1 Engine Oil Change & Oil Filter Change* Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Montl~s..
2 Chassis Lubrication Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 lm) or 12 Months.
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6. Transaxle Service - Change both
the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 ltm) if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature 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 service.
If you do not use your vehicle under
any of these conditions, change both
the
fluid and filter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 ltm) .
7. Spark Plug Replacement::' -
Replace spark plugs with the proper
type. See
Replacement Parts in the
Index.
8. 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.
9. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
System 1nspection':t
- Conduct
the
EGR system service as described
in the service manual.
To purchase a
service manual, see
Service
Publications
in the Index.
IO. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement+-
Replace every 30,000 miles
(50 000 ltm) or more often under
dusty conditions.
Ask your dealer
for the proper replacement intervals
for your driving conditions.
11. Air Cleaner Inspection''? - Inspect
all hoses and ducts for proper
hookup. Make sure the valve works
properly.
1nspection';:t - Inspect fuel tank,
cap and lines for damage
or leaks.
Inspect fuel cap gasket for an even
filler neck imprint or any damage.
Replace parts as needed. Periodic
replacement of the fuel filter
is not
required.
12. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines
13. Engine Timing and Distributor
Check
(3100 Code D engine
only)'xt
- Adjust the timing to the
underhood label specifications.
Inspect the inside and outside
of the
distributor cap and rotor for cracks,
carbon tracking and corrosion.
Clean or replace as needed.
NOTE: To determine your engine's
displacement and code, see
Engine
Identification
in the Index.
': = An Enzission Control Service.
t = The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Boa1.d has
determined that the failure
to pelform this
maintenance item will
not nullify the
emission warranty
or limit recall liability
prior
to fhe completion of ~~ehicle useful life.
General
Motors: however, urges that all
recornmended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded
in "Section E:
Maintenance Record."
239
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264
Things Under the Hood ................ 186
Transaxle Fluid
.............................. 195
Chemical Paint Spotting
.................. 217
Child Restraints
.................................. 35
How to Install
.................................. 35
Where to Put
.................................... 36
Children and Safety Belts
............ 34. 39
Child Security Lock
............................ 55
Circuit BrealtedRelay Panel ............ 222
Circuit Breakers
& Fuses ................. 219
City Driving
...................................... 145
Cleaner, Air
.............................. 194, 226
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
......................... 216
Compact Discs
............................... 129
Fabric
..................................... 213, 214
Finish Care
..................................... 216
Foreign Material
............................ 2 16
Glass
.............................................. 215
Inside of Your Oldsmobile
............ 212
Leather and Vinyl
.......................... 214
Outside
of the Windshield and Wiper
Blades
............................................. 215
Outside
of Your Oldsmobile ......... 215
Safety Belts
.................................... 214
Special Problems
........................... 213
Stains. Removing
........................... 213
Cigarette Lighter
................................ 89
Cassette Tape Player
...................... 128
Top of the Instrument Panel
......... 214 Underbody
Maintenance
............... 217
Vinyl or Leather
............................. 214
Warnings
........................................ 2 12
Weatherstrips
................................. 216
Windshield
..................................... 215
Climate Control System
............ 11 1. 113
Clock. Setting the
............................. 117
Cluster. Instrument Panel .................. 98
Comfort Controls
............................. 11 1
Air Conditioner .............................. 11 1
Heater ............................................ 111
Rear ................................................ 113
Ventilation ..................................... 1 16
(see
Audio Systems )
Compact Disc Player
Compact Overhead Console
.............. 95
Compact Spare Tire
......................... 178
Compass Display
................................ 81
Console, Overhead ............................. 79
Control
of a Vehicle ......................... 134
Convenience Net
................................ 91
Convex Outside Mirror
...................... 87
Coolant ............................................. 197
Checking
& Adding ....................... 198
Proper Mixture to Use
............ 168, 197
Safety Warnings About
.................. 167, 168, 169, 198
Temperature Gage
......................... 103
Cruise Control
.................................... 72
Cup Holder/Ashtray, Front
............... 89 Curves. Driving
on
........................... 138
Customer Assistance Information
... 249
Dead Battery: What to
Do ............. 158
Defensive Driving
............................ 132
Defogger. Rear Window
................... 115
Defogging and Defrosting
................ 115
Delco LOC II@
................................. 126
Dome Lights
....................................... 84
Door Locks
............................. 45. 46. 52
Door. Power Sliding ................... 52. 107
Door. Sliding
...................................... 51
Driver Position
................................... 22
Driving At Night
......................................... 142
City
................................................. 145
Controlling a Skid
......................... 141
Defensively
.................................... 132
Drunlten
......................................... 132
Freeway
.......................................... 145
Hill and Mountain
......................... 147
In a Foreign Country ..................... 184
In Rain
........................................... 143
Long Distance
................................ 146
Loss
of Control .............................. 141
On Curves
...................................... 138
Passing ........................................... 140
Through Deep Standing Water
....... 60
Winter Driving
............................... 148
With a Trailer
................................. 151
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Starting Your Vehicle if the Battery is
Steering “Dead” (see
Jump Starting)
In Emergencies .............................. 139
Off-Road Recovery ........................ 140
Power
............................................. 138
Tips ................................................ 138
Steering Wheel. Tilt ............................ 69
Steering Wheel Touch Controls
...... 127
Stereo Sound Systems
(see
Audio Systems )
Storing Your Vehicle ........................ 203
Compact Overhead Console
........... 95
Compartment
................................... 83
Cup Holder ...................................... 89
Locking Bin ..................................... 90
Luggage Carrier
............................... 92
Overhead Console
........................... 79
Rear Compartment
.......................... 91
Sunglasses
........................................ 83
Stuck. If You Are ........................... 179
Sunroof
............................................... 95
Sun Visors
.......................................... 87
Supplemental Restraint
System
(SRS) ................................... 26
Storage
Convenience Net
............................. 91
Garage Door Opener
....................... 80
Glove Boxes
..................................... 88
T achometer ....................................... 99
Taillights
........................................... 204
Tape Player (see
Audio Systems)
Technical Facts & Specifications
Bulbs
...................................... 228. 229
Capacities
& Specifications .......... 224
Circuit Brealters/Relays
................. 222
Add-on
......................... 60. 117. 219
Engine
............................................ 226
Fluids
& Lubricants ...................... 227
Fuses
.............................. 219. 220. 221
Replacement Parts
......................... 226
Service Parts Identification
Label
............................................ 218
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
........................................... 218
Temperature Display
.......................... 81
Temperature Warning ...................... 103
Theft
.................................................... 50
Thermostat ....................................... 199
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 69
Time. Setting the
.............................. 117
Tire Loading
..................................... 206
Tires
.................................................. 207
“Blow Out”
.................................... 172
Buying New
................................... 209
Chains
.................................... 178. 212
Electrical
Equipment.
Flat. Changing
............................... 172 Inflation
................... 85. 172. 178.
208
Loading
.......................................... 206
Pressure
......................................... 208
Quality Grading
............................. 210
Spare. Compact
............................. 178
Wear Indicators
............................. 209
Wheel Alignment
& Tire
Balance
........................................ 211
Wheel Replacement
....................... 211
Torque Lock
....................................... 67
Towing a Trailer
............................... 151
Inspection & Rotation ................... 208
Wheel Nut Torque
................. 177, 225
Top Strap
............................................ 36
Towing Your Vehicle
....................... 162
Traction Control System
................... 137
Traction Control System
Warning Light
................................ 105
Trailer Towing
.................................. 151
Brakes ............................................ 154
Maintenance .................................. 156
Parking on
Hills .............................. 156
Safety Chains
................................. 154
(see
Automatic Transaxle)
(see Automatic Transaxle)
Transaxle, Automatic
Transmission, Automatic
Trip Odometer
.................................... 99
Turn Signal Indicator ......................... 71
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
...... 70 269
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