ECU Oldsmobile Silhouette 1999 s Service Manual

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3-24
To unlock a secured radio, see ªUnlocking the
Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a Power Lossº earlier in
this section.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
VOL: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.PLAY: Press this button to play a loaded cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system.
Press it again to turn on the sound. This button may be
used when listening to the radio, a cassette tape or a
compact disc.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to a higher radio
station and the down arrow to tune to a lower radio
station. The sound will mute while seeking. When
playing a cassette tape or compact disc, press SEEK to
hear the next selection.
AM
-FM: Press this button to choose AM or FM.
PRESET: Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset buttons.

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4-25
Winter DrivingHere are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
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
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 ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.

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4-31
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.

Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Electronic Level Control (Option)
On vehicles equipped with the optional electronic level
control, the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept
level as you load or unload your vehicle. However, you
should still not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR.
If the engine is running or the ignition key is in
ACCESSORY, you may hear the compressor operating
when you load or unload your vehicle, and periodically
as the system self
-adjusts. This is normal.
The compressor should operate for brief periods of time.
If the sound continues for an extended period of time,
your vehicle needs service.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.

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4-37
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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Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel
-lift
or car
-carrier equipment. Don't have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must
be towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle
more than 500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceed
50 mph (80 km/h). If these limitations must be
exceeded, then the drive wheels have to be supported on
a dolly.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index. You also have a low
coolant level light on your instrument panel. See ªLow
Coolant Lightº in the Index.

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10. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a crisscross
sequence, as shown.
CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don't try to put a wheel cover on the compact spare tire.
It won't fit. Store the wheel cover securely in the rear of
the vehicle until you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.

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5-30 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
1. Lay the tire near the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem down.
2. Remove the small center cap by tapping the back of
the cap with the extension of the shaft.
3. Slide the cable retainer through the center of the
wheel and start to raise the tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the
underside of the wheel.4. When the tire is almost in the stored position, turn
the tire so the valve is towards the rear of
the vehicle.
This will help when you check and maintain tire
pressure in the spare.
5. Keep raising the wheel until you hear the hoist
mechanism click twice.
This means the wheel is firmly stored against the
underside of the vehicle.
6. Push against the wheel to be sure it does not move
and is stored securely.
7. Replace all jacking tools as they were stored in the
jack storage compartment and replace the
compartment cover.
To replace the cover, line up the tabs on the right of
the cover with the slots in the cover opening. Push
the cover in place and push down the tab so that it
rests in the groove. This secures the cover in place.

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Checking or Replacing the Air Cleaner/Filter
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.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter in place when
you're driving.
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter Replacement
Passenger compartment air, both outside and
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, as well as
odors such as exhaust or fuel fumes. Reductions in
airflow, which may occur more quickly in dusty areas,
indicate that the filter needs to be replaced early. For
how often to change the passenger compartment air
filter, see ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter is located in the back of the glove box.

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6-37 Taillamps
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the two screws from the taillamp housing
on the inboard side.
3. Pull off the entire taillamp housing. The locator/retaining
pins on the outboard side are part of the lamp assembly
and will remain intact during removal.
4. Remove the bulb holder by pressing the four retaining
tabs and pulling the holder away from the assembly.
5. Replace the bulb(s) by pulling the old one(s) out and
gently pushing the new one(s) into the bulb holder socket.
A. Taillamp Bulb
B. Back
-Up Lamp BulbC. Turn Signal Lamp Bulb
D. Stop/Taillamp Bulb
6. Snap the bulb holder back into place, making sure all
retaining tabs are properly over the bulb holder tabs.
7. Reinstall the taillamp assembly by inserting the
outboard locating/retaining pins until the lamp is
seated. Secure with the inboard screws.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer's service department.

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Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear and cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in Section 7 of this manual under Part B ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº in
the Index.
Here's how to remove the Sheperd's Hook type:
1. Turn the wipers on to the lowest intermittent setting.
2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the outer
positions of the wipe pattern. The blades are more
accessible for removal/replacement while in
this position.
3. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield or backglass.
4. While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push the release clip from under the blade
connecting point and pull the blade assembly down
toward the glass to remove it from the wiper arm.
5. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release clip ªclickº into place.