washer fluid OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1998, Model line: SILHOUETTE, Model: OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998Pages: 444, PDF Size: 23.2 MB
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Windshield Wipers Windshield  Washer 
You control the windshield wipers  by turning the band 
marked 
WIPER. 
For  a single wiping cycle,  turn the band to MIST. Hold 
it there until the wipers start,  then let go. The  wipers  will 
stop after  one cycle. 
If you want more cycles, hold  the 
band on mist  longer. 
For delayed wiping cycles,  you can set the wiper speed 
for  a long  or short delay between wipes. This can be 
very  useful in light  rain or snow.  Turn the band  to 
choose  the delay time.  The closer to  LOW, the shorter 
the delay time. 
For steady wiping cycles,  at low speed,  turn the band 
away from  you to the 
LOW position. For high-speed 
wiping, turn the band further  to 
HIGH. To stop the 
wipers, move the  band to 
OFF. 
Remember  that  damaged  wiper  blades  may  prevent you 
from seeing  well  enough  to drive  safely. To avoid  damage, 
be  sure  to  clear  ice  and  snow 
fiom the  wiper  blades  before 
using  them. 
If they’re  frozen  to  the  windshield,  carefidly 
loosen  or  thaw  them. 
If your  blades  do become  damaged, 
get  new  blades  or  blade  inserts. 
Heavy snow or  ice can  overload your wipers. 
A circuit 
breaker  will stop them  until the motor cools. Clear away 
snow  or  ice  to prevent  an overload.  To 
wash  your windshield,  press and hold the windshield 
washer paddle. The washers and wipers  will operate. 
When  you  release the paddle, the washers  will stop, and 
the  wipers  will  continue to operate for two cycles, unless 
your wipers  had  already been on. In that case, the wipers 
will resume the wiper speed you had selected 
earl+. 
In  freezing  weather,  don’t  use  your  washer  until 
the  windshield  is warmed.  Otherwise  the  washer 
fluid  can  form  ice  on  the  windshield,  blocking 
your  vision. 
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Rear Window Washermiper 
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C 
C 
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The  rear window 
wiper  switch  is  located 
in  the  instrument 
panel  switchbank. 
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Push  the  wiper symbol  on  the bottom  of the  button  to 
turn  on the  intermittent  wiper. To turn 
off the wiper, 
gently push the  top 
of the  button. 
To wash and wipe the  rear window, push in  the washer 
symbol  on  the  top  of the  button.  Washer fluid will spray 
as  long  as the  button  is  held  in.  When  the  top of the 
button  is  released,  the  wiper will continue to cycle  three 
more times.  To 
wash the  rear window when the rear wiper 
is already 
on,  push on the top 
of the button with  the wash symbol 
on it. Push  in the bottom 
of the  button  to  continue  the 
intermittent  wiper cycle  after  the  washing cycle 
is completed. 
Cruise Control 
With cruise  control,  you can maintain  a speed of about 
25 mph (40 kdh)  or more without keeping your  foot on 
the accelerator.  This can really  help on  long  trips. 
Cruise  control  does not work at  speeds below about 
25 mph (40 km/h). 
When  you  apply  your  brakes,  the cruise  control  disengages. 
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Driving  in  Rain  and  on Wet Roads Rain  and  wet roads can mean driving trouble. On  a wet 
road,  you can’t stop, accelerate  or 
turn as well because 
your tire-to-road  traction isn’t  as good 
as on dry roads. 
And,  if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get 
even less traction.  It’s always wise  to  go slower and  be 
cautious 
if rain starts to fall  while  you are  driving.  The 
surface  may get wet  suddenly when your reflexes  are 
tuned  for  driving  on  dry pavement. 
The heavier the rain, the harder  it  is  to  see. Even if your 
windshield wiper blades  are in good  shape,  a  heavy rain 
can make 
it harder  to  see road signs and traffic signals, 
pavement markings, the edge  of the road and even 
people walking. 
It’s  wise to keep your wiping equipment  in good  shape 
and  keep your windshield washer tank  filled with 
washer  fluid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts 
when  they  show signs of streaking 
or missing  areas on 
the windshield,  or when  strips of rubber start to separate 
from the inserts. 
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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: 
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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? 
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I 
Winter  Driving Include an ice  scraper,  a small brush  or broom,  a supply 
of  windshield  washer fluid,  a  rag,  some winter outer 
clothing, 
a small shovel,  a  flashlight,  a  red cloth  and 
reflective  warning triangles.  And, if you  will  be driving 
under  severe conditions,  include 
a small bag of sand,  a 
piece  of old  carpet  or a couple 
of burlap  bags  to  help 
provide traction.  Be sure  you properly secure these 
items  in your  vehicle. 
Driving on Snow or Ice 
Here are some  tips  for winter driving: 
0 Have your vehicle  in good  shape  for  winter.  Most 
of the time, those places where your tires 
meet the 
road  probably have good traction. 
However, 
if there  is snow  or ice  between your tires  and 
the  road, you can have  a very  slippery situation.  You’ll 
have 
a lot  less  traction or “grip” and will  need  to  be 
very  careful. 
I You may want  to put winter emergency  supplies in 
your vehicle. 
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Section 6 Service  and  Appearance  Care 
Here you will find  information  about  the  care  of your vehicle.  This section begins with  service and fuel  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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6-3  1 
6-38  Service 
Fuel 
Filling  a Portable  Fuel Container 
Checking Things Under  the Hood 
Engine  Oil 
Air Cleaner 
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 
Replacement 
Automatic  Transaxle  Fluid 
Engine Coolant  Radiator  Pressure  Cap 
Windshield Washer  Fluid 
Brakes 
Battery 
Bulb Replacement 
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement  6-39 
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6-64 
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6-65 
6-65 
6-65  Tires 
Appearance  Care 
Cleaning the  Inside 
of Your  Vehicle 
Cleaning  the  Outside  of Your  Vehicle 
Underbody Maintenance 
Chemical  Paint  Spotting 
Appearance  Care  Materials  Chart 
Vehicle  Identification Number (VIN) 
Electrical  System 
Replacement Bulbs  Capacities  and Specifications 
Engine  Specifications 
Vehicle  Dimensions 
Normal Maintenance Replacement  Parts 
Air  Conditioning  Refrigerants 
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Checking  Things Under the Hood 
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A CAUTION: I 
An electric fan under the  hood can start  up  and 
injure  you  even  when  the engine  is  not  running. 
Keep  hands,  clothing  and tools  away  from any 
underhood  electric  fan. 
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A CAUTION: 
I 
Things that  burn  can  get  on  hot engine  parts  and 
start a fire.  These  include  liquids like  gasoline, 
oil,  coolant,  brake fluid,  windshield  washer  and 
other  fluids,  and plastic  or rubber.  You or others 
could  be burned.  Be careful  not  to drop  or  spill 
things  that will burn  onto a hot  engine. 
Hood Release 
To open the hood,  first pull the hood release handle 
inside the vehicle. 
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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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Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
What to Use 
When you need windshield washer fluid,  be  sure to read 
the  manufacturer’s instructions before  use.  If you will 
be 
operating your vehicle  in an  area  where  the temperature 
may  fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient 
protection against freezing. 
Adding Washer Fluid 
The  windshield washer 
fluid  reservoir is located on 
the passenger’s  side 
of the 
vehicle, near  the  fuse and 
relay center. 
NOTICE: 
Open the  cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add 
washer  fluid until the tank 
is full. 
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When  using  concentrated  washer  fluid, 
follow  the  manufacturer’s  instructions  for 
adding  water. 
Don’t  mix water  with  ready-to-use  washer 
fluid.  Water  can  cause  the  solution  to  freeze  and  damage  your  washer  fluid  tank  and 
other  parts  of the  washer  system. 
Also, 
water  doesn’t  clean  as  well as washer fluid. 
Fill  your  washer  fluid  tank  only 
three-quarters  full  when  it’s very  cold. 
This  allows 
for expansion  if freezing occurs, 
which  could  damage  the  tank  if it is 
completely  full. 
Don’t  use  engine  coolant  (antifreeze)  in 
your  windshield  washer. It  can  damage 
your  washer  system  and  paint. 
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