tires OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1994 Owner's Manual

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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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
209
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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
21 1
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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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Maintenance Schedule
238
Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Following are explanations of the
services listed in Schedule I and
Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use
are listed in Section D. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or
anyone else drives the vehicle.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1. Engine Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving
I1 oils of proper viscosity.
The
“SH” or “SG” designation may
be shown alone
or in combination
with others, such as “SH/CD,”
“SH,
SG, CD,” “SG/CD,” etc. To
determine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-
30 or SAE 10W-30), see
Engine Oil
in the Index.
2. Chassis Lubrication - Lubricate
suspension and steering linkage.
Lubricate the transaxle shift linkage,
and parking brake cable guides,
underbody contact points and
linkage.
3. Tire and Wheel Rotation and
Inspection
- For proper wear and
maximum tire life, rotate your tires
following the instructions in this
manual. See
Tires, Inspection E.
Rotation in the Index. Check the
tires for uneven wear
or damage. If
you see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment. Check for
damaged wheels also.
Engine Accessory Drive Inspection
- Inspect the drive belt for cracks,
fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed.
I
Cooling System Servicee - Drain,
flush and refill the system with new
or approved recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification
I
1825M. Keep coolant at the proper 1
mixture as specified. See Coolant in
the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection, corrosion
I
inhibitor level and maintains proper ’
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 tht
pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we
recommend
a pressure test of both the
cooling system and the pressure cap.
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240
Section B: Owner Checks and Services Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle,
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be malte Sure they are the proper ones, as shown in Section
D.
performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle.
Each Fuel Fill (It is important
for you or a service station attendant to perform
these underhood
checks at each fuel fill.)
I
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper coolant mix if necessary. See Coolant in the
Engine Index for further details.
CHECK
OR SERVICE
I
WHAT TO DO
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See Engine Oil in the Index for
further details.
Engine
Oil Level
Windshield Washer Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
Fluid Level necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid in the Index for further details. I
It Leasf Once a Month
CHECK
OR SERVICE
I
WHAT TO DO I
Tire Inflation I
Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflated to the pressures specified on the Certification/
Tire label located
on the rear edge of the driver’s door. See Tires in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck
I
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every 15 hours of tape play. See Audio Systems in
the
Index for further details.
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Index
268
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
....................................... 244
Reminder Light
.................................. 75
Remote Lock Control
......................... 48
Removing Rear Bucket Seats
............. 16
Replacement Fuses
........................... 220
Replacement Parts
........................... 226
Replacing Brake System Parts ......... 203
Replacing Bulbs
........................ 228, 229
Replacing Safety Belts
........................ 41
Replacing Tires
................................. 209
Replacing Windshield Wipers
.......... 205
Restraint, Head
.................................. 14
Restraints, Child ................................. 35
Roadside Assistance ......................... 253
Replacement
Bulbs
.................. 228. 229
Replacing Rear Bucket Seats
............. 18
Replacing Wheels ............................. 2 11
Roads, Hill and Mountain ............... 147
Rocking Your Vehicle
...................... 179
Rotation, Tire
................................... 208
S afety Belts ....................................... 18
Adults ............................................... 22
Center Passenger Position
.............. 31
Checking .......................................... 41
Children
...................................... 34, 39
Child Restraints ............................... 35
Cleaning
......................................... 2 14
Driver Position
................................ 22 Extender
........................................... 41
How to
Wear .................................... 22
Lap-Shoulder Belt
........................... 23
Passenger Belts
................................ 30
Pregnancy. Use During
................... 30
Questions & Answers ... 21.24. 40. 42
Rear Safety Belts
............................. 30
Reminder Light
................................ 22
Replacement
.................................... 41
Right Front. Adult Passenger
.......... 30
Smaller Children and Babies
........... 34
Top Strap
......................................... 36
Torn
.................................................. 42
Twisted
............................................. 26
Why
You Should Wear
Safety Belts
................................... 18
Safety Belt Extender .......................... 41
Safety Belt Reminder Light
................. 22
Safety Defects, Reporting
................ 252
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.... 233
Seat Adjustment
........................... 12, 17
Seat Belts (see
Safety Belts)
Seat Controls ...................................... 12
Head Restraint ................................. 14
Manual Front Seat
........................... 12
Manual Reclining Seatback ............. 13
Manual Seat, Four-Way .................. 12
Power Seat, Six-Way
....................... 13
Rear Seats ........................................ 15
Adjusting ....................................... 17 Removing
...................................... 15
Replacing ....................................... 18
Third Row Entry ........................... 15
Reclining
Seatback .......................... 13
“Service Engine Soon” Light ........... 106
Service Information ......................... 182
Service Parts Identification Label
... 218
Service Publications
......................... 254
Service Station Information
............ 272
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Oldsmobile
........................................ 29
Setting the Clock
.............................. 117
Setting the Trip Odometer
................. 99
Shifting Into
P (Park) ........................ 66
Shifting the Automatic Transaxle
..... 62
Signaling Turns
.......................... 71, 155
Six-Way Power Seat ........................... 13
Skidding ............................................ 141
Sliding Door
....................................... 51
Sliding Door Ajar Warning Light ..... 107
Snowstorm, If You’re Caught in a ... 149
Sound Equipment, Adding
.............. 117
Sound Systems (see
Audio Systems)
Spare Tire, Compact ........................ 178
Specifications
& Capacities ............. 224
Speed Control (see
Cruise Control)
Speedometer & Odometer ................. 99
Stains, Removing
............................. 213
Starting Your Engine
......................... 58
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