window OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1998, Model line: SILHOUETTE, Model: OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998Pages: 444, PDF Size: 23.2 MB
Page 213 of 444

Ventilation Tips 
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow  or 
any other obstruction  (such as leaves).  This will 
allow  the heater and defroster  to work much better, 
reducing the  chance of fogging  the  inside of 
your windows. 
When  you enter a vehicle in cold weather,  turn the 
blower  fan to 
5 for a few moments before driving 
off.  This  helps clear the intake ducts  of snow and 
moisture, and reduces the chance  of fogging the 
inside  of your windows. 
instrument panel console and the  air path under the 
front seats  clear of objects.  This helps  air  to circulate 
throughout your vehicle. 
Keep the area around the base of the center 
In cold weather, operating  the system  in the 
OUTSIDE  AIR mode will improve the time it takes 
to  warm  the vehicle. 
Audio Systems 
Your Delco Electronics  audio system has been designed 
to operate easily and  give years 
of listening pleasure. 
You  will get the most enjoyment  out of it if  you  acquaint 
yourself  with it first. Find out what your Delco 
Electronics  system can  do and  how  to  operate all its 
controls, to be sure you’re getting the most  out of the 
advanced engineering that went  into it. 
Setting  the Clock for All Systems 
Press and hold  HR  until the correct hour appears. Press 
and hold 
MN until the correct minute appears. 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 255 of 444

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: 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Windshield Washer 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? 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 261 of 444

Tie a red cloth  to your  vehicle  to  alert  police  that 
you’ve  been  stopped  by 
the snow. 
0 Put on extra  clothing  or  wrap a  blanket  around you. 
If you have no  blankets  or  extra  clothing,  make body 
insulators  from  newspapers, burlap  bags,  rags,  floor 
mats 
-- anything you can  wrap  around yourself or 
tuck under your  clothing to keep warm. 
You can run the  engine  to  keep warm, but be careful. 
Snow  can  trap exhaust  gases under  your  vehicle. 
This can  cause  deadly  CO (carbon monoxide) 
gas 
to get  inside. CO could  overcome  you  and kill 
you.  You  can’t  see it or  smell  it, 
so you might  not 
know  it is  in  your  vehicle.  Clear 
away snow from 
around  the base 
of your  vehicle,  especially  any 
that  is  blocking  your exhaust  pipe.  And  check 
around  again from  time to time  to be  sure  snow 
doesn’t  collect  there. 
Open  a window  just a little  on the  side  of the 
vehicle  that’s  away  from the wind.  This will help 
keep  CO  out. 
4-29 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 262 of 444

Run your engine  only as long  as  you must. This saves 
fuel.  When  you  run  the engine, make  it  go a little faster 
than  just idle. That is, push the accelerator  slightly. This 
uses  less fuel for the  heat that you get and  it keeps the 
battery charged.  You will need a well-charged battery to 
restart the vehicle, and possibly  for signaling later on 
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a  while. 
Then, shut the engine 
off and close the window almost 
all the  way to preserve the  heat. Start the engine again 
and repeat this  only  when you feel really uncomfortable 
from  the cold. But  do  it as little  as possible. Preserve  the 
fuel  as long  as you  can.  To help keep warm,  you can get 
out  of the vehicle and  do some fairly vigorous exercises 
every half  hour or so until help comes. 
Loading Your Vehicle 
GAWR FRT 
COLD TIRE PRESSURE 
00 n- 
SEE %ER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION. -1 
The Certificatioflire  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 Gross  Vehicle 
Weight  Rating (GVWR).  The GVWR includes the 
weight  of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. 
4-30 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 269 of 444

Safety Chains 
Driving with a Trailer 
You should always attach chains between your vehicle 
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue 
I 
of  the trailer so that the tongue  will  not drop to the road 
if 
it becomes separated  from the hitch. Instructions 
about safety chains  may be provided  by the hitch 
manufacturer  or  by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the 
manufacturer’s recommendation  for attaching safety 
chains and  do not attach them to the bumper. Always 
leave  just enough slack 
so you can  turn with your rig. 
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. 
Trailer  Brakes 
If  your trailer weighs more than 1,000 Ibs. (450 kg) 
loaded, then it needs its own brakes 
-- and  they  must be 
adequate.  Be sure  to read and follow the instructions  for 
the trailer brakes 
so you’ll  be able to install, adjust and 
maintain them  properly. 
Because you have anti-lock  brakes,  do not try 
to tap into 
your vehicle’s brake  system. 
If you do, both brake 
systems won’t work well, or 
at all. 
0 
0 
0 
If  you  have  a  rear-most  window  open  and  you 
pull  a  trailer  with  your  vehicle, carbon  monoxide 
(CO)  could  come  into  your  vehicle. You can’t  see 
or  smell 
CO. It  can  cause  unconsciousness  or 
death.  (See  “Engine  Exhaust” 
in the  Index.)  To 
maximize  your  safety  when  towing 
a trailer: 
Have  your  exhaust  system  inspected  for 
leaks,  and  make  necessary  repairs  before 
starting  on  your  trip. 
Keep  the  rear-most  windows  closed. 
If  exhaust  does  come  into  your  vehicle 
through  a  window  in  the  rear  or  another 
opening,  drive  with  your  front,  main 
heating  or  cooling  system 
on and  with  the 
fan  on  any  speed.  This  will bring  fresh, 
outside  air  into  your  vehicle. 
Do not  use 
RECIRC  because  it  only  recirculates  the 
air inside  your  vehicle. (See  “Comfort 
Controls’’  in  the  Index.) 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 289 of 444

If No Steam Is Coming  From  Your Engine 
If you get the  overheat  warning but  see  or  hear no 
steam,  the problem may  not  be too  serious.  Sometimes 
the  engine  can  get  a  little  too  hot when you: 
Climb  a  long  hill  on a  hot  day. 
0 Stop  after  high-speed  driving. 
Idle  for  long  periods  in traffic. 
Tow  a trailer. 
If you  get the  overheat warning with no  sign of steam, 
try  this  for  a  minute or 
so: 
1. Turn off your air conditioner. 
2. Turn  on  your heater  to full  hot at  the  highest  fan 
speed  and open  the  window as necessary. 
3. If you’re  in a  traffic jam, shift  to  NEUTRAL (N); 
otherwise,  shift to the  highest  gear while 
driving 
-- AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE (D) 
or  THIRD (3). 
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. 
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 off the  engine and get  everyone  out of the 
vehicle 
until  it  cools  down. Also, see “Overheated 
Engine  Protection  Operating Mode”  listed  previously in 
this section. 
You may  decide  not  to lift the hood but  to get service 
help  right  away. 
5-15 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 357 of 444

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 
vehicle,  be  sure  to  follow  the  manufacturer’s  warnings 
and  instructions.  And always open your  doors  or 
windows when  you’re  cleaning  the  inside. 
Never use these  to  clean your vehicle: 
Gasoline 
0 Benzene 
0 Naphtha 
0 Carbon Tetrachloride 
Acetone 
0 Paint Thinner 
Turpentine 
0 Lacquer Thinner 
0 Nail Polish  Remover 
They can  all 
be hazardous -- some more than 
others 
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.  Don’t use any 
of these  unless  this manual says  you can. 
In  many  uses,  these  will damage your vehicle: 
Alcohol 
Laundry Soap 
Bleach 
Reducing Agents 
Cleaning  the  Inside of Your Vehicle 
Use a vacuum  cleaner  often  to  get  rid of dust and loose 
dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted  surfaces 
with  a  clean,  damp cloth. 
Your  retailer  has  two  cleaners,  Multi-Purpose  Interior 
Cleaner and Capture Non-Solvent  Dry Spot and  Soil 
Remover. 
They will  clean  normal  spots and stains  very 
well. 
You can  get GM-approved  cleaning  products  from 
your retailer. (See “Appearance  Care and Materials”  in 
the Index.) 
Here are 
some cleaning tips: 
0 Always read the  instructions on the cleaner  label. 
Clean up stains  as soon as  you can -- before  they set. 
Carefully  scrape off any  excess  stain. 
Use  a clean  cloth  or  sponge,  and  change  to  a clean  area 
often. 
A soft  brush  may  be  used if stains are  stubborn. 
If  a ring  forms  after spot  cleaning,  clean the entire 
area immediately  or 
it will set. 
6-47 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 360 of 444

Cleaning  Glass  Surfaces 
Glass should be cleaned often. GM  Glass  Cleaner (GM 
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner 
will remove normal tobacco  smoke and dust  films on 
interior glass. 
Don’t use abrasive  cleaners on glass,  because they  may 
cause  scratches.  Avoid placing decals  on  the inside rear 
window,  since they may have  to be scraped  off later. 
If 
abrasive  cleaners  are  used on the  inside of the rear 
window,  an electric defogger element  may  be damaged. 
Any  temporary license  should not be attached across the 
defogger grid. 
Cleaning  the  Outside  of  the  Windshield, 
Backglass  and  Wiper  Blades 
If the windshield is not  clear  after using the 
windshield washer,  or if the  wiper blade chatters 
when  running,  wax, sap or other  material  may be 
on 
the blade  or  windshield. 
Clean the  outside 
of the windshield with GM 
Windshield Cleaner, Bon Ami@ Powder (non-scratching 
glass cleaning powder), 
GM Part No. 105001 1. The 
windshield 
is clean  if beads  do not form when you 
rinse it with  water.  Grime from the windshield will stick 
to  the wiper 
blades and affect their performance. Clean the  blade 
by  wiping vigorously with 
a cloth soaked  in 
full-strength  windshield washer  solvent. Then 
rinse  the blade with  water. 
Check the wiper blades and clean them  as necessary; 
replace blades that look worn. 
Weatherstrips 
Silicone  grease  on weatherstrips will make them 
last  longer, seal better, and not stick  or squeak. Apply 
silicone grease  with a clean cloth  at least  every 
six months. During  very cold,  damp weather 
more  frequent  application  may  be required.  (See 
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” 
in the Index.) 
Cleaning  the  Outside of Your  Vehicle 
The paint  finish  on your  vehicle provides beauty,  depth 
of  color, gloss retention and durability. 
6-50 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 366 of 444

Electrical System 
Add-on Electrical  Equipment 
NOTICE: 
Don’t  add  anything  electrical  to  your  vehicle 
unless  you  check  with  your  retailer  first.  Some 
electrical  equipment  can  damage  your  vehicle 
and  the  damage  wouldn’t  be  covered 
by your 
warranty.  Some  add-on  electrical  equipment 
can  keep  other  components  from  working 
as 
they  should. 
Your  vehicle  has an air bag  system.  Before attempting  to 
add anything electrical to your  vehicle,  see “Servicing 
Your  Air Bag-Equipped  Vehicle” in the Index. 
Headlamp  Wiring 
The headlamp wiring is protected  by an internal  circuit 
breaker in the 
I/P fuse  panel.  An electrical  overload will 
cause  the lamps to 
go on and off,  or in some cases to 
remain off.  If this happens, have your headlamp wiring 
checked right  away. 
Windshield  Wipers 
The windshield wiper motor is protected  by an internal 
circuit breaker and a fuse.  If the motor overheats due 
to 
heavy  snow, etc., the wiper will  stop until the motor 
cools.  If the overload  is caused by some electrical 
problem, be  sure  to  get  it  fixed. 
Power  Windows and Other  Power  Options 
Circuit breakers in the I/P fuse panel protect the power 
windows and  other power accessories.  When the current 
load  is too  heavy,  the circuit breaker opens and  closes, 
protecting the circuit until the problem is  fixed. 
6-56 
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 368 of 444

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 
6-58 
ProCarManuals.com