air condition OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 User Guide

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Oldsmobile. This section begins with service information, and
then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted
to its appearance care.
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6-10 6-15
6-16 6-17
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6-30 6-30
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1
6-38 Doing
Your Own Service Work
What Kind
of Fuel to Use
Using Fuel in Foreign Countries
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling the Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Checking Your Engine
Oil
Air Cleaner
Pollen Filter
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Where to Fill
the Windshielc 9 Washer Fluic
Important Brake Information
Information on Your Vehicle’s Battery
Tips on Vehicle Storage
Bulb Replacement Procedures
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement 6-40
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6-47 6-49
6-50
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6-55 6-56
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6-62 6-63
6-63 How and
When to Check Tire Inflation
When
it is Time to Buy New Tires
Wheel Alignment
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of the Safety Belts
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Recommended Appearance Care Materials
Your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
The Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Specifications
Vehicle Dimensions
Normal Replacement Parts
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Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your Oldsmobile retailer before adding equipment to the
outside
of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. At
a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM D4814
in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) for better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA
specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared to
other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear
a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up
a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have
to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have
a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on
the underhood tune-up label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail
a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to
your authorized Oldsmobile retailer for diagnosis
to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that
the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadlenyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains
MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
Oldsmobile retailer for service.
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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).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: 1
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
1
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 br.
c~ k es.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
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.
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Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and 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 (straightahead) 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.
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.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. 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
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Oldsmobile retailer
if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
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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 retailer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
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
km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
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Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Headlamps ......................... 9004-HBI
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lamps
........... 3 157NA or 3 IS7 NAK
Stopmail (Top) .......................... 3057
Signal (2nd from top)
..................... 3 156
Back-up Lamps (3rd from top) ............. 3 1 S6
Tail (Bottom) ........................... 3057
Front Sidemarker
Lamps
................... 194
Capacities and Specifications
(Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and Metric conversions.
Please refer
to “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle
Pan Removal and Replacement ..... 8 quarts (7.6 L)
Cooling System
With A/C ................. 1 1.75 quarts (1 1.25 L)
With Rear Climate Control or
Rear Heater
.............. 13.5 quarts ( 12.75 L)
Engine Crankcase - Oil and
Filter Change
.................... 4.5 (3.75 L)
Fuel Capacity
Standard (SWB) ................ 20 gallons (76 L)
Optional (LWB) ................ 25 gallons (95 L)
Refrigerant,
Air Conditioning*
........ See Refrigerant Label
under the hood.
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........... See Tire-Loading
Information
label on driver’s door.
Wheel Nut Torque .......... 100 lb-ft (140 Nem)
Windshield Washer Fluid ....... 1 gallon (0.37 L)
*See Air Conditioning Refrigerants later in this section.
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be
sure to fill
to the appropriate level, as recommended in
this manual.
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
rcfr-igerant,
be sure the proper refrigerunt is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Oldsmobile retailel:
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I IMPORTANT: I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
protection Plan I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plm? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warrmties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
Oldmobile retailer
for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition, but also helps the
environment.
All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle
in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
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How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have
the necessary equipment, you should
let your retailer’s service department or another
qualified service center do these jobs.
-
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have
a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get
the service
information
GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications”
in the Index. “Part
B: Owner Checks and Services”
tells you
what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle
in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that your Oldsmobile retailer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products
GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have
it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record’’ provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance
is performed, be
sure to write
it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your
next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle
for warranty repairs.
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Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t
know exactly how you’ll drive it.
You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time
in very hot, dusty
weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than
you’ll find
in the schedules in this section. So please read this
section and note how
you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle
in good
condition, see your Oldsmobile retailer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them.
If you
go to your retailer for your service needs,
you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts. The
proper fluids and lubricants
to use are listed in
Part
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.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits.
You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
CertificatiodTire label. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
0 use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition I
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule
ifyo~1 operate your vehicle under any
sf these
conditions is that these conditions cause engine oil
to break down sooney:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive
Belt Inspection. Fuel Tmk, Cap and Lines
Inspection
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only sLlrnrnarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complefe rnuintenance schedule on
the following pages.
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