OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 Owners Manual

i TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
When It’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 you.
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 or
You can see cord or fabric showing
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut
more 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.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires
you need, look at the Certification/Tire
label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when
it was new had a Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you get new tires, get ones with that
same TPC Spec number. That way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires that
are designed to give proper endurance,
handling, speed rating, traction, ride
and other things during normal service
on your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-
season tread design, the TPC number
will be followed by
a “MS” (for mud
and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those
not having a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range,
speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your
original tires. Iz
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Service &Appearance Care
21 0
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature
performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate
of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half (1 %)
times as well on the government course
as a tire graded
100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction-A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest are:
A, B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire
marked
C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest)
B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded
on the
sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or
optional equipment on General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these
grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and
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have been approved for use on General
~ Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to
Federal safety requirements in addition
to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were
aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. However,
if
you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset. If you
notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked
or badly rusted. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If
the wheel leala air, replace it (except
some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your Oldsmobile dealer
if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset, and be mounted the same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
Oldsmobile model.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlight aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
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Service &Appearance Cure
212
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE
Class
“S” type chains that are the
proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you
can hear the chains contacting your
vehicle, stop and retighten them,
If
the contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be
hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if you strike
a match or
get them on a hot part
of the vehicle.
Some are dangerous
if you breathe their
fumes in a closed space. When you use
anything from a container to clean your
Oldsmobile, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions.
And always open your
doors or windows when you’re cleanin,
the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some
more than others
- and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
NOTICE:
Don’t use any of these unless this
manual says you can. In many uses,
these will damage
your vehicle:
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your
Oldsmobile
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Oldsmobile dealer has two
GM
cleaners, a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the
cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can - I
before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
change to
a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-
ventilated area only. If you use them,
don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
clean the entire area immediately or it
will set.
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Using Foam-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove
Always clean a whole trim panel or
any
loose dirt.
section. Mask surrounding trim along
stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
following the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean
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 a blow
sponge.
dryer or a heat lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp. You could scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-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 a solvent:
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.)
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as grease, oil, butter, margarine,
shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils,
wax crayon, tar and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and
described earlier.
asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine,
vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool
water.
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Service & Appearance Care
I If a stain remains, follow the foam-
type instructions described earlier.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit
or urine, treat the area with a
waterbaking soda solution:
1
teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1
cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-
type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise,
chili sauce and unknown stains.
9 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to
dry.
solvent-type cleaner.
If a stain remains, clean it with
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warn1 water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt.
You may have to do it
more than once.
polish will stain if you don’t get them
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
214
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water
and a mild soap or saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a mild
solution of
10% isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) and
90% water.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-
based or abrasive cleaners, furniture
polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work
into finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean
the top surfaces
of the instrument
panel. Sprays containing silicones
or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield and even make it
difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions. Vacuum
the carpeted area as needed,
and clean as you would any other
carpet.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
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1 I Glass
’ Glass should be cleaned often. GM
~ Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427)
or a liquid household glass cleaner will
remove normal tobacco smoke and dust
films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
’ because thejr may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be
scraped off later.
If abrasive cleaners are
used on the inside of the rear window,
~ an electric defogger element may be
~ damaged. Any temporary license should
not be attached across the defogger
grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield, Backglass 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. l050011). 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.
I 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 car washing (mild 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*/0 cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may
cause water to enter your vehicle.
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Service & Appearance Care
21 6
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.
Your Oldsmobile has
a
“basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to
the colored basecoat. Always use waxes
and polishes that are non-abrasive and
made for
a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
UAluminum Week
Your aluminum wheels have a
protective coating similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use
strong soaps, chemicals, chrome polish,
abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because you could
damage this coating. After rinsing
thoroughly,
a wax may be applied.
NOTICE:
Don’t use an automatic vehicle
wash that has hard silicon carbide
cleaning brushes. These brushes
can take off the protective coating.
I Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak. Apply silicone
grease with a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp
weather more frequent application may
be required. (See
Recommended Fluids
G- Lubricants in the Index.)
Foreigpt Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, and other foreign
matter can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted surfaces. Use
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
I Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the finish should be
repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer or other
service outlets. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer’s body and paint shop.
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Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect on
the underbody.
If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust)
can occur on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these
materials from the underbody with
plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt
packed in closed areas of the frame
should be loosened before being
flushed. Your dealer or an underbody
vehicle washing system can do this for
you.
I Collision Repair
Your vehicle was built with composite
SMC (Sheet Molded Compound)
fiberglass body panels and molded
RIM
(Reaction Injection Molded) front
fenders and bumper covers. These
panels require different collision repair
procedures than metal-paneled vehicles.
See your Oldsmobile dealer for
information on collision repair.
I Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create
a chemical fallout.
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle.
This damage can take two forms:
blotchy, ringlet-shaped discolorations,
and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, Oldsmobile will repair, at
no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000
miles (20
000 ltm) of purchase,
whichever comes first.
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Service & Appearance Care
218
Yehicle Identijication
Number
(VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your
Oldsmobile. It appears on a plate in the
front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side.
You can see it if you
look through the windshield from
outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and
Service Parts labels and the certificates
of title and registration.
Engine ldenfificafion
The eighth character in your VIN is the
engine code. This code will help you
identify your engine, specifications, and
replacement parts.
1
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~,~~~:~;:~~~::~~~:::.~,~~.’.~:. . . . . . . , . . .
Service Parts Identz!jication
Label
You’ll find this label inside the glove
box door. It’s very helpful if you ever
need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and
Be sure that this label is not removed
from the vehicle.
special equipment.
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