steering OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1995 Owner's Manual

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if
you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if
you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create
a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to
a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want
the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If
a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
Air Inflator (Option)
Your vehicle may have an air inflator for use in bringing
tires up to the proper pressure.
To learn about it, see
“Air Inflator System’’ in the Index.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to
a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains’’ in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels.
I€ your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See
“Traction Control System” in the Index.) Then shift
back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out.
If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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3.1L V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Air Cleaner
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Oil Fill Cap
IO. Radiator Cap
6-9
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P
3800 V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Reservoir 6. Battery
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7. Air Cleaner
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick 8. Engine Oil Dipstick
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir 9. Engine Oil Fill Cap
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir 10. Radiator Cap
6-10
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Power Steering Fluid
3.1L V6: Checking the Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir for the 3.1L V6
engine is located toward the back of the engine
compartment, to the
left of the circular air cleaner.
~~~ ~~~
3800 V6: Checking the Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir for the 3800 V6
engine is located to the right of the engine coolant
reservoir, at the very back
of the engine compartment.
~ 6-25
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How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, 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.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. Add
enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See ‘‘Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located on the
driver’s side of the vehicle, toward the front
of the
engine compartment.
Open the cap labeled
WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid
until the tank is full.
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Capacities and Specifications (Continued)
FuelTank ..................................................
Power Steering
3.1L V6 Engine
PumpOnly ..............................................
Complete System .........................................
PumpOnly ..............................................
Complete System .........................................
Tire Pressures, Sizes ..........................................
WheelNutTorque ...........................................
3800 V6 Engine
20 gallons
1 pint
I 1/4 pints
76.00 L
0.50 L
0.60 L
1 pint 0.50 L
1 1/2 pints 0.70 L
See CertificatiodTire label on driver’s door.
100 lb-ft 140 Nom
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
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I Maintenance Schedule I I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage (or every
6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY I
7-7
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12,000 Miles '(20 000 km)
0 Change engine uil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever ocars. first).
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
An Emission Control Sewice.
linkage, transaurle shift Wage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
pohts and linkage (or evev 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occws first).
An Emission Control Service.
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-8
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1 Maintenance Schedule I 1
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the suspension and steering
linkage, transaxle shift linkage, parking
brake cable guides and underbody contact
points and linkage (or every
6 months,
whichever occurs
first).
17 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-9
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