service OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 Owner's Manual

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure
of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that
you have used your tape player for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer. If you notice a reduction
in sound quality, try
a known good cassette to see if
the tape or the tape player is at fault.
If this other
cassette has no improvement in sound quality,
clean
the tape player.
Cleaning may
be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head
as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is available through
your Oldsmobile retailer.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses
a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. It may not clean
as thoroughly as the
scrubbing type cleaner.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc
is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in
a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean
it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch
the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick
up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge
of the hole and the outer edge.
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The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your
sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out.
Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in
Oldsmobile retail facilities all across North America.
They’ll be ready and willing to help
if you need it. Here are
some things you
can check before a trip:
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Windshield Welsher Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid
a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in
less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you
do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
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Electronic Level Control (Option)
On vehicles equipped with the optional electronic level
control, the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept
level as you load or unload your vehicle. However, you
should still
not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR.
You may hear the compressor operating when you load
or unload your vehicle, and periodically as the system
self-adjusts. This is normal.
The compressor should operate for brief periods of time.
If the sound continues for an extended period
of time,
your vehicle needs service. To keep your battery from
being drained, you may want to remove
the ELC fuse in
the fuse control panel until you can have your vehicle
serviced
(see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers’’ in the Index.)
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your retailer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
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Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR.
If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the
way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control.
Also, overloading can shorten the life
of
your vehicle.
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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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and 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 quickly.
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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8. Don’t let the other end
touch metal. Connect
it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use
a remote
positive
(+) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
9. Now connect the black
negative
(-) cable to
the good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal.
Don’t let
the other end
touch anything
until the
next step. The other end
of the negative (-) cable
doem ’t go to the dead
battery. It goes to
a heavy
unpainted metal
part on
the engine
of the vehicle
with the dead battery.
10. Attach the cable at least
18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery,
but not near engine
parts that move.
The electrical connection is just
as good there, but
the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is
much less.
1 1. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
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13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that
they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM retailer or a professional towing
service tow your Silhouette. They can provide the right
equipment and know how to tow your vehicle without
damage. See “Roadside Assistance”
in the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on
the hazard
warning flashers.
When
you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front
with sling-type equipment.
That your whicle has front-wheel drive.
0 The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives,
let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations.
The operator may want to
see them.
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1 CAUTION: I
‘1‘0 help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
Never get under your vehicle after it has
Always use separate safety chains on each
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
fully secured.
been lifted by the tow truck.
side when towing
a vehicle.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
in the OFF position. The steering wheel should be
clamped
in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock
for this. The transaxle
should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
A vehicle can fall from a car-carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
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If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back
on, you can
drive normally. When you
decide it’s safe to
lift the hood, here’s what
you‘ll see:
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 08 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.
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fan
D. Electric Engine Fan
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A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
1 parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
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NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see
if the electric engine fan(s) are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan(s) should be running.
If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant
level isn’t
at or above the FULL HOT mark, add a 501.50
mixture of den72 water (preferably distilled) and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze
at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
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