brake fluid OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 2003 User Guide

There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t
work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
1. ,’- have too much brake fLJ, it can spi.. an
the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
BRAKE
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page
3-44.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6- 16.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
5-40

h the wrong kind of fluid in ur brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil,
in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts
so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone
put in the wrong kind of fluid.
0 If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake fluid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash
it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
5-41

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6.2
Introduction
................................................... 6.2
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6.2
How This Section is Organized
......................... 6.3
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services ........... 6.4
Scheduled Maintenance
................................... 6-5
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services ................ 6-10
At Each Fuel Fill .......................................... 6-10
At Least Once a Month ................................. 6-10
At Least Twice a Year ................................... 6-10
At Least Once a Year ................................... 6-11
Using Your Maintenance
Schedule
.................... 6.4
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
......... 6-14 Steering.
Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
............................ 6.14
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.14
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.14
Throttle System Inspection
............................. 6.15
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit) and
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module) All-Wheel Drive
Inspection
................................................ 6.15
Brake System Inspection
................................ 6.15
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
................................................ 6.16
Part
E: Maintenance Record ........................... 6.18
6-
1

Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)
and Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module) All-Wheel Drive
Inspection
Every 12 months or at engine oil change intervals,
check rear differential and transfer case and add
lubricant when necessary.
A fluid loss could indicate
a problem; check and have it repaired,
if needed.
Check vent hoses at transfer case and differential for
kinks and proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often
if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-1 5

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Engine oil with the American
Engine Oil Fluid/Lubricant
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol
of the proper viscosity.
To determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil on
page
5- 14.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on
page
5-23.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake Delco Supreme
11 Brake Fluid
System or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Windshield GM Optikleen Washer Solvent
Washer Solvent or equivalent.
Power Steering GM Power Steering Fluid
System (GM Part
No. US. 1052884,
Automatic DEXRON-Ill Automatic
Transaxle Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Multi-Purpose Lubricant,
Cylinders Superlube (GM Part No.
U.S.
in Canada 993294, or equivalent).
12346241, in Canada 10953474,
or equivalent).
Chassis Chassis Lubricant
Lubrication (GM Part
No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901 242, or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGl#2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
6-1 6

Accessory Inflator ........................................... 5-68
Accessory Power Outlets
................................. 3-24
Adding Washer Fluid
....................................... 5-38
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel
..................... ,... . ......... 5-6
Add-on Electrical Equipment
................. ... 5-96
Adjusting the Captain's Chairs
(Second Row)
............................................. 1-13
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
............................ 3-66, 3-73, 3-82
Air Bag Readiness Light
.......................................... 3-43
Air Bag Systems
............................................. 1-69
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-76
What Will You See After an
How Does
ari Air Bag Restrain? .................... 1-74
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-74
Air Bag Inflates?
...................................... 1-74
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
................... 1-73
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-71
~II 'clttmIw/t-lller, Eflyirle ................................. 5- IS
All Overseas Locations ....... ........................ 7-4
A: . nr- ~ . . I~.ER
All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 5-86
All-Wheel Drive
............................................... 5-50
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message .......... 3-59
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System
......................... 4-1 1
Aluminum Wheels ........................................... 5-92 AM
............................................................. 3-103
Antenna, Fixed Mast
...................................... 3-105
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light
.............. 3-45
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-87
Care
of Safety Belts .................................... 5-90
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
................ 5-87
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
.............. 5-90
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-92
Chemical Paint Spotting
............................... 5-93
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
.......... 5-93
Sheet Metal Damage
................................... 5-92
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-93
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-90
Theft-Deterrent System
............. ......... 2-70
Arming and Disarming the Content
Arming Confirmation
.................... ............ 2-28
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
... ......... 2-27
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter
................................................. 2-28
Arming with Your Key
...................................... 2-28
Audio Speakers
.............................................. 3-93
hdl0 System(s) ............................................. 3-63
Audio Systems
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
.................... 3-102
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
............... 3-103
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
................ 3-104
Care
of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-104
Fixed Mast Antenna
................. ... 3-105

Audio Systems (cont.) Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-71
Radio with CD
............................................ 3-64
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................ 3-80
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
...................... 3-98, 3-1 00
Setting the Time .......................................... 3-63
Theft-Deterrent Feature
............................... 3-1 01
Understanding Radio Reception
................... 3-1 03
Automatic Door Locks
..................................... 2-64
Automatic Level Control
................................... 4-35
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
....................................................... 5-20
Automatic Transaxle Check
.............................. 6-1 1
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
................................... ... 6-12
Operation
................................................... 2-36
B
Backing
Up .................................................... 4-41
Battery
.......................................................... 5-43
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-8
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-23
Before You Drive
............................................ 3-91
(Bench Seat)
.................................................. 1-37
Bench Seat, Split
............................................. 1-8
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-1 1 Brake
Parking
.................................. .... 2-39
System Inspection
....................... ........ 6-15
System Warning Light
...................... .... 3-44
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-39
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-41
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-39
Braking
........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-32
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-52
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-52
Headlamps
................................................. 5-52
Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
......................................... 5-54
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps
........................................ 5-56
Buying New Tires
........................................... 5-64
C
California Fuel .......................................... 5-6
Canada
..................................... .......... 7-4
Canadian Owners
....................... ................. II
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-6
Canceling the Sliding Door
Security Lock
.............................................. 2-16

New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-32
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
........... 5-1 05
Odometer ............................ ~ ~1 ...................... 3-41
Oil
Off -Road Recovery .......................................... 4-1 4
Engine
....................................................... 5-1 4
Pressure Message
....................................... 3-54
Older Children, Restraints
................................ 1-45
Onstar@ Personal Calling
................................. 2-48
OnStap Services
............................................ 2-47
Onstar@ System ............................................. 2-47
Onstar@ Virtual Advisor .................................... 2-48
Operation Tips
................................................ 3-31
Other Warning Devices
...................................... 3-6
Outside Operation
.............................................. 3-25, 3-28
Outlet Adjustment
............................................ 3-31
Convex iviirror
............................................. 2-46
Heated Mirrors ............................................ 2-46
Power Mirrors
............................................. 2-45
Overhead Console
.......................................... 2-55
Overhead Console Switchbank
.......................... 3-21 Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
.......................................... 5-26
Owners, Canadian
............................................... ii
Owner’s Information
........................................ 7-10
. 3-22
Park Aid ........................................
Park (P)
Shifting Into ................................ ..... 2-40
Shifting Out of
......................... ..... 2-42
Parking Assist
......................... .................... 3-22
Brake
........................................................ 2-39
Over Things That Burn
................................. 2-43
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
........................... 6-13
Parking on Hills
.............................................. 4-42
Part
A - Scheduled Maintenance Services ............ 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ................ 6-10
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections .......... 6-14
Part
D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .... 6-16
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................... 6-18
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
..................... 3-37
Passing
................................................. 4-14, 4-41
PASS-Key@
Ill ................................................ 2-29
PASS-Key@
Ill Operation .................................. 2-30
11

Throttle System Inspection ..... ................ 6-15
Tilt Wheel
................................ ................. 3-7
Tire Inflation Check
...................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5-60, 5-92
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-64
Chains
....................................................... 5-67
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-69
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-61
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-62
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-66
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-63
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
.................... 2-35
Top of the Instrument Panel
............................. 5-89
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-56
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires .................. 4-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-32
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-36
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-32
Active Message
........................................... 3-53
Compact
Spare Tire
..................................... 5-86
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-65
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-66
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-55
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-42
Traction Control System (TCS)
.................................. 4-10 Traction
(cont.)
Control System Warning Light
....................... 3-46
Service Traction System Warning Message
..... 3-52
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-40
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-43
Transaxle
Transaxle Operation, Automatic
......................... 2-36
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)
.................. 5-50
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
...................................... 7-10
Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-20
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trip Computer
................................................ 3-62
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 3-8
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-42
Underbody Flushing Service
............................. 6-13
Underhood Fuse Block
................................... 5-100
Understanding Radio Reception
....................... 3-1 03
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-65
United States
................................................... 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-67
Using Cleaner on Fabric
.................................. 5-88
Using HomeLink@
........................................... 2-52
16