load capacity OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual

Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward.
In the rearward position, they will fold almost flush with
the vehicle. This feature is particularly useful in
automatic car washes.
Your mirrors have a blue tint to reduce glare while
driving at night.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over
your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Your vehicle’s large carrying capacity can store many
items.
If you have the extended wheelbase version, you
can carry things as large as a
4‘ x 8’ piece of plywood.
You can
also use the floor pins that are used to attach the
seats, to secure larger loads. This section
also describes
storage areas for specific items like sunglasses and cups.
Glove Box
Your vehicle has a glove box below the
instrument panel.
To open the glove box, lift the latch release. Use the key
to lock or unlock the glove box.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need it
fully open. To close the glove box, the door must be
pushed up past the detent.
In the door of the glove box, you will find a tissue pack
holder and clip for a pen
or pencil.
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The convenience net has a maximum capacity of 100 lbs.
(45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger, heavier loads.
Store such loads on the floor
of your vehicle, as far
forward as you can.
When not in use, it is recommend that
you take down
the convenience net to extend its life and retain its
elasticity, and
to keep the rear exit clear. Store the net in
the pouch behind either front seat.
Side Convenience Nets
The side convenience nets are designed to hold smaller
items (about
8 lbs. (4 kg)) than the large convenience
net. Attach the loops to the
posts on the rear side panels,
near the jack storage area.
When not in
use, it is recommend that you take
down the convenience nets to extend their life and retain
their elasticity.
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NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 150 lbs.
(68 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle.
When you carry cargo
on the luggage carrier of a
proper size and weight, put
it on the slats, as far
forward
as you can. Then slide the crossrail up
against the rear of the load, to help keep
it from
moving. You can then tie
it down.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and
cargo are still securely fastened.
Turn the release knobs to the left to unlock the
crossrails. Slide the crossrails forward or back, as
needed, to accommodate loads of various sizes.
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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.
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Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when
you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your retailer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and
see your retailer for
important information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle. Your
vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later
in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability
and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably
to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
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You can ask your retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write us at:
Customer Assistance Representative
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Network
16
E. Judson Street
P.O.
Box 436006
Pontiac,
MI 48343-6006
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if
you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent
of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
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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
retailer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have
the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way
as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way,
you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts
and wheel nuts
for your
Oldsmobile model.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have
a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for
replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire
or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
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Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Headlamps ......................... 9004-HBI
Signal Lamps
.......... .3 157 NA or 3 157 NAK
Front Sidemarker Lamps ................... 194
Stop/Tail (Top)
.......................... 3057
Signal (2nd from top)
..................... 3 156
Tail (Bottom) ........................... 3057
Front Parking/Turn
Back-up Lamps (3rd from top)
............. 3156
Capacities and Specifications
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 (7.5 L)
With A/C
................... 9.6 quarts (9.1 L)
Cooling System
With Rear Climate Control
or Rear Heater
............ 1 1.9 quarts (1 1.3 L)
Engine Crankcase - Oil and
Fuel Capacity Filter Change
............... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Standard/Regular .............. 20 gallons (76 L)
OptionalExtended
............ 25 gallons (95 L)
Refrigerant,
Air Conditioning*
.......... See the Refrigerant
Label under the hood.
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........... See Tire-Loading
Information label
on driver’s door.
Wheel Nut Torque .......... 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
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.
Engine Specifications
Engine VIN Code ........................... E
Firing Order
...................... 1-2-3-4-5-6
EngineType
.............................. V6
Horsepower
............................. 180
Thermostat Temperature Specification
................... 195°F (91°C)
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