maintenance schedule OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual

The 1998 Oldsrnobile Silhouette Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and loolung good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Oldsmobile for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-8.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
i
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Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how
to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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;
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 chocl ss .
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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As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE IOW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (- 18 “C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 2OW-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are
in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your retailer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short triplcity
maintenance schedule:
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.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under
these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these
is true for your
vehicle, then you need
to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
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If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of
oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located at the front of the engine
compartment (on the driver’s side of the vehicle), under
the engine coolant reservoir.
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Checking or Replacing the Air Cleaner
1. Unlatch the two hooks on top of the air
cleaner housing.
2. Turn back the air inlet panel and rest it on top of the
housing. The air intake tube is designed to flex back;
you do not need to disconnect it.
3. After replacing the air cleaner filter, seat the tabs on
the bottom of the panel into the slots at the bottom.
4. Latch the hooks to secure the panel in place. If the
panel moves easily, check that the tabs
are seated
correctly in the slots.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Passenger Cornparti .t Air
Filter Replacemem
Passenger compartment air, both outside and
I recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment filter, which is part of
a two-piece filter
system. The filter removes certain contaminants from
the air, including pollen and dust particles. Reductions
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can in airflow, which may occur more quickly in dusty
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner areas, indicate that the filter needs to be replaced early.
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine For how often to change the passenger compartment air
backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
it off, and be careful working on the engine with filter is in the back of the glove box.
the air cleaner off.
filter, see “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index.
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5. Close the inner access door, while squeezing the tab,
6. Snap the outer access panel into the back of the
to be sure it is
tightly closed.
glove box.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
r--- In to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retail
facility Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or
you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be
in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring
the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfiZZ.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described under
“How to Check.”
dipstick back in all the way.
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Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon
as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also crheck for damaged tires or
wheels.
See “When It’s ‘Time for New Tires”
and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation
is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
1
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here. Don’t
include the compact spare tire
in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear inflation pressures as shown on the
CertificatiodTire label. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
in the Index.
Rust or dirt on
a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change
a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure
to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to,
to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
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Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2 7-3
7-4
7-4 Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule 7-4
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7-33
7-34
7-36 Selecting
the Right Schedule
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
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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. 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 retailer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some recommended products 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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