OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 Owners Manual

To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
mix
at the coolant recovery tank.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank,
but be careful not to spill it.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105
kPa) pressure-type cap and must be
tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the
arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler
neck.
When you replace your radiator
pressure cap, an AC8 cap is
recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat in the engine
coolant system. The thermostat stops
the flow of coolant through the radiator
until the coolant reaches a preset
temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
How To Check Power Steering
Fluid
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
H (Hot)
mark.
When the engine compartment is
cool, the level should be at the
C
(Cold) mark.
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Service &Appearance Care
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
in the Index.
200
3100 V6: Checking Power Steering
Fluid
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid
or malting a complete fluid change,
always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add
Open the cap labeled WASHER
FLUID ONLY. Add washer fluid until
the bottle
is full.
3800 V6: Checking Power Steering
Fluid
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NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-
use washer fluid. Water can cause
the solution to freeze and damage
your washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as
washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only %
full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the tank
if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
I
Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only
two reasons why the
brake fluid level in your master cylinder
might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up.
The other reason is that fluid is leaking
out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner or later
your brakes won’t work well, or won’t
work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to
“top off’’ your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid
won’t correct a leak. If you add
fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get
new brake linings. You should add (or
remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low
level, your brake warning light will
come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light
in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as Delco
Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No.1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
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Service & Appearance Care
202
container only, and always clean the
brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
NOTICE:
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
Don’t let someone put in the
damage
your vehicle. Don’t use it.
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such
as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. See
Appearance
Care
in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has front disc brakes
and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make
a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
may cause
a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes. Your
rear drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake
linings inspected. Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
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 apply the brakes
moderately, with or without the vehicle
moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern
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. Vehicles we design and
test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your Oldsmobile does when it
is new. 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 genuine
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.
I Battery
Every new Oldsmobile has a Delco
Freedom@ battery.
You never have to
add water to one of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recommend a
Delco Freedom@ battery. Get one that
has the catalog number shown on the
original battery‘s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from
running
down.
Contact your dealer to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
I Halogen Bulbs
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Service &Appearance Care
204
Headlight Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see the Index
under Replacement Bulbs.
1. Remove the two black knobs.
2. Tilt the bulb housing forward.
3. Twist the L-shaped bulb assembly
counterclockwise
M turn until the
flanges align with the slots in the
retainer ring.
4. Pull out the bulb assembly.
5. Disconnect the bulb wiring harness
from the bulb assembly by lifting the
plastic locking tab.
6. Snap a new bulb assembly onto the
7. Replace the bulb assembly by
8. Replace the bulb housing and the two
wiring harness.
reversing step
3.
black knobs.
Taillight Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see the Index
under Replacement Bulbs.
1. Open the rear side windows and
2. Remove the two screws from the
3. Undo the spring clips under the
liftgate.
taillight housing.
weatherstrip at the rear of the side
window.
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4. Pull off the entire taillight housing.
5. Pinch the lever and twist the bulb
assembly
M turn countercloclwise to
remove.
~ 6. Remove the bulb by pressing in and
1 turning % turn counterclockwise.
7. Line up the small retainer bumps on
the replacement bulb
so that the
1 lower bump slides into the deepest
' slot in the housing. Press in and twist
the bulb
!4 turn clockwise. Reposition
the bulb assembly in the taillight
housing. Turn the assembly
M turn
clockwise to lock in place.
' 8. Replace the entire taillight housing
and screws.
9. Attach the spring clips to the
taillight housing and secure them.
liftgate.
signals and taillights.
IO. Close the rear side windows and
11. Test the bulbs by using your turn
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Replacement blades for your vehicle are
24 inches in length. They come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. Here's how to remove
the type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away
from the windshield.
2. Lift the release clip with a
screwdriver and pull the blade
assembly off the wiper arm.
the wiper arm.
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on
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Service &Appearance Care
206
GVWR CAWR FRT CAWR RR
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE US. FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE
OF MANUFALTURESHOWN ABOVE.
.MODEL.
M.P.V.
MPHY FRT TlRESlZE
RTG RIM WliKP, (COLD1
RR SPA MFD
fly GENERAL MOTORS CORP XWXX
LWKG
SERIAI. NUMBER SPEED
SEE
OWNERS MANUAL FOR ADDI'TIONAL INFORMATlOh
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver's door.
The label shows the size
of your original
tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity
of
your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also tells
you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the
actual loads
on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh station
and weigh your vehicle, Your dealer can help
you with
this. Be sure to spread
out your load equally on both sides
of
the centerline.
Never exceed the
GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out.
Electronic Level Control
On vehicles equipped with optional
electronic level control, the rear
of the
vehicle is automatically kept level as
you load or unload your vehicle. For
more about this option see the
Index
under Electronic Level Control.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because
of
overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle-
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else-they will go
as fast as
the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or
turn quickly! or if there is a crash,
they'll keep going.
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4 Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle
comes with high quality tires made by
leading tire manufacturer. These tires are warranted
by the tire manufacture^
and their warranties are delivered witk
every new Oldsmobile. If your spare ti
is a different brand than your road tire
you will have a tire warranty folder
fro
each of these manufacturers.
a
TS
1
re
S’
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Sewice & Appearunce Care
208
Inflation-Tire Pressure
The CertificatiodTire label which is on
the rear edge of the driver’s door shows
the correct inflation pressures for your
tires, when they’re cold. “Cold” means
your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that
underinflation
or overinflation is all
right. It’s not. If your tires don’t
have enough air (underinflation)
you can get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air
(overinflation) you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It
should be at
60 psi (420 1tPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to
check tire pressure. Simply loolting at
the tires will not tell you the pressure,
especially
if you have radial tires -
which may look properly inflated even if
they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to
put them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
-
f
x
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have
them inspected and rotated at the
mileages recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See
Scheduled
Maintenance Services
in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust
the front and rear inflation pressure as
shown on the CertificationlTire label.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See
Wheel Nut
Toque in the Index.
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