steering OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owner's Manual

Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though
you have an anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock’’ in
the Index.
0 Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
0 Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit
a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes
the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If
you see a patch
of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know
for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard flashers.
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Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need
to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off. Your
hazard warning
flashers button is on top of
the steering column. Press
the button in to turn on
your flashers.
Your ha,,,, warning flashers work no matter what
position your key
is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, push the button down and it will
pop back up by itself.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
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NOTICE:
If you are using car-carrier equipment, you must
pull the Electronic Level Control (ELC) fuse, in
the instrument panel fuse block, before securing
the vehicle.
Damage to the shocks or leveling system
may occur if the Electronic Level Control (ELC)
fuse
is not disabled.
in OFF. 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. For front towing, the
transaxle should be in
PARK (P) and the parking brake
released.
For rear towing, the transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake engaged.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has front-wheel drive; do not have it
towed with the front wheels in contact with the
ground or vehicle damage may occur.
A dolly
must be used under the front wheels when towing
from the rear or the vehicle must be transported
on a flat bed carrier.
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If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire
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, and 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 used to bring tires
up to the proper pressure. See “Accessory Inflator
System” in the Index for more details. If
a tire goes
flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place.
Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
/:1 CAUTION-
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. lhrn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle,
at the opposite end.
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I 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. If your vehicle
has traction control,
you should turn your traction
control 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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When you lift the hood, you'll see these items:
T
A.
B.
C. Underhood Fuse and
D.
Relay Center E.
Remote Positive (+) Terminal E
Windshield
Washer G.
Fluid Reservoir Radiator
Pressure Cap
H. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Master Cylinder
Engine
Oil Fill Location J. Air Cleaner
Engine Oil Dipstick
IS. Engine Coolant Reservoir
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located to the right
of the windshield washer fluid reservoir, at the back of
the engine compartment.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top
of the reservoir clean, then 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.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should
be at the
“H” mark. When it’s cold, the level should be
at the
“C” mark. If the fluid is at the ADD mark, you
should add fluid.
What to Use
To determine what lund of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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r
FUSE USAGE CHART
CIRCUIT LH T/LP RH T/LP
SWC
BACKLIGHT
3REAKERS
I HEADLAMP ELEC PRNDL
ABS SOL ELC RR DEFOG RR FOG LP
PWR MIRROR CTSY
LAMP FRT PWR
SCKT
CIGARDLC
Fl FRT HVAC/HI
1 CRUISE I TiSlG I SIR
I PWROTRVENT I RRHVAC I FR&~~$~~~w' I SUNROOF I HVAC/DRL I
FRT WPRMSHR BCM
PRGRM
RR WPA WSHR
MALURADIO/DIC
SWC ACCY
LH HEADLP RH
HEADLP
HAZARD LOW LOW
I PWR LOCK I RR PWR SCKT 1 ABS MOD BATr I LH:ktDLP I RH%DLp
I I DRL I CANVENTSOL I ABSFCS IGN I PCM /
For More information, See Owner's Manual Printed in /
Circuit Breakers
HEADLAMP
PWR WDOIRR
VENT
PWR SEATIPSD
FRT HVAC/HI
BLWR DRL
Control Module,
Headlamp and
I/P
Dimmer Switch
Front Power Windows
6-Way Power Seat(s) and Rear
Side Door Actuator Motor
Blower Motor Hi Speed Relay
in Module
Fuses
swc
BACKLIGHT
ELEC PRNDL
PWR MIRROR Steering Wheel
Radio Control
Switches (Illumination)
Instrument Cluster to
PRNDL Indicators
Power Remote Control
Mirror Switch
CRUISE Cruise Control Module, Switch
and Release Switch
PWR QTR VENT Interior Lamps and
Multifunction Switch
(Power Vent Switch)
FRT WPWSHR Windshield Wipermasher
Motor and Switch
BCM
PWR LOCK
RH TLP
RR FOG LP
CIGARIDLC
TISIG Not
Used
Not Used Cigarette Lighter and Data Link
Connector (DLC)
Turn Signal Switch
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Fuses Fuses
RR HVAC SWC ACCY
HAZARD
RR PWR SCKT
DRL
LH T/LP
RR DEFOG
FRT PWR SCKT
SIR
FRT HVAC LOW/MED BLWR Rear
Blower Motor, Rear
Heater-A/C Control, and
Temperature Door
Actuator (Rear)
Steering Wheel Radio Control
Switches
Turn Signal Switch
Rear Electric Accessory
Plug Housing
DRL Control Module
Not Used
Rear Window Defogger Relay
Front Electric Accessory
Plug Housing
Inflatable Restraint
Control Module
Heater-A/C Control MALL/RADIO/DIC
BCM, Driver Information
Display, Radio and Radio Rear Speaker Amplifier
STOP LAMP
ABS MOD BATT
CAN VENT
SOL
ELC CTSY LAMP
IGN 1
Stoplamp Switch to Stoplamps
Electronic Brake Control
Module/Electronic Brake
Traction Control Module (EBCM/EBTCM)
Evaporative Emissions (EVAP)
Canister Vent Solonoid Valve
Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Air Compressor and ELC
Relay, Trailer Harness
BCM
ALC Sensor, BCM, Electronic
Brake Control Indicator Lamp
Driver Module, Instrument
Panel Cluster, Rear Window
Wipermasher and
Multifunction Switch (Fog
Lamp SwitcWTraction Control
Switch) and Stoplamp/Torque
Converter Clutch (TCC) Switch
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