towing OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 2003 Owner's Manual

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 chocks.
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 system.
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.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness located at the
rear of your vehicle.
To use the trailer wiring harness
you need a converter kit. Contact your dealer for more
information.
4-43

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When 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:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
on page
6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership 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 or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check your transaxle fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(1 0°C). If it's colder than 50°F (1 OOC), you may have to
drive longer.
5-20

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice: Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located at the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-72 for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-47. You also
have an engine coolant temperature warning message
on your instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Message
on page 3-53.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode,
you will notice a significant
loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause
of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the
oil life system. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
5-26

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-62for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
Control Service.
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
c3 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote t.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
c1 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
0 Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you
arive reguiariy unuer Uusty
conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-62 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
6-7

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle
fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxle fluid, change both
the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
U Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-23 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
6-9

Climate Control System (cont.)
Outlet Adjustment
.................................... 3-31
Rear
.................................................. 3-32, 3-34
Comfort Controls
............................................. 3-25
Compact Disc Messages
................. 3-25, 3-79, 3-91
Compact Overhead Console
............................. 2-54
Compact Spare Tire
........................................ 5-86
Compass Variance
.......................................... 3-61
Content Theft-Deferrent
.................................... 2-27
Content Theft-Deterrent System
........................ 2-69
Content Theft-Deterrent System, Arming and
Disarming
................................................... 2-70
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Center
........................................ 2-60
Convenience Net
............................................ 2-59
Coolant Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-47
Engine Temperature Warning Message
........... 3-53
Heater, Engine
............................................ 2-35
Cooling System
.............................................. 5-29
Cruise Control
................................................ 3-1 0
Cupholder(s) .................................................. 2-54
Current and Past Model Order Forms
................ 7-1 1
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
............................... 7-3
Customer Assistance Offices
........................... 7-4 Customer
Assistance Information (cont.)
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-10
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System
....................................... 3-15
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
......................... 3-27, 3-30
Delayed Lighting
............................................. 3-18
Delayed
Illumination and Exit Lighting
................ 2-63
Dinghy Towing
................................................ 4-33
Directing the Airflow
................................ 3-33, 3-35
Disarming with the Remote Keyless
Disarming with Your Key
.................................. 2-28
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing
.................................................. 4-33
Dome Lamp
................................................... 3-17
Entry Transmitter
..................................... 2-28
4

Maintenance Schedule (cont.) Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-1 4
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-14
How This Section is Organized ....................... 6-3
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............. 6-10
Part
C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-1 4
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
............................................... 6-1 6
Part E . Maintenance Record ........................ 6-18
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-14
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-1 5
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit) and
Carrier Assembly-Differential (Rear Drive
Module) All-Wheel Drive Inspection
............. 6-1 5
Using Your ................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
..................... 4-43
Making Turns
................................................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-47
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2 Matching
Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
................. 2-7
Message
Memory Seat
................................. ......... 2-72
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning
....... ..... 3-59
Center
...................................... ......... 3-52
Change Engine Oil
...................................... 3-56
Charging System Indicator
............................ 3-54
Door Ajar Warning
....................................... 3-57
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 3-53
Low Engine Oil Level ................................... 3-55
Low Fuel Warning
................................... 3-59
Low Oil Pressure
.................... ............. 3-54
PASS-Key@
Ill Security ............................. 3-58
Power Sliding Door Warning
......................... 3-56
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning
.............................. 3-58
Service Traction System Warning
................... 3-52
Traction Active
............................................ 3-53
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-45
Outside Convex Mirror
................................. 2-46
Outside Heated Mirrors
................................ 2-46
Outside Power Mirrors
.................................. 2-45
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
US
. Virgin Islands) ........................................ 7-4
Mirrors
Mexico, Central
America and Caribbean
10

Rear Seat Radio Controls ...................... 3-98, 3-100
Rear Storage Area
.......................................... 2-58
Rear Window Defogger
............................ 3-27, 3-30
Rearview Mirrors
............................................. 2-45
Reclining Seatbacks
.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing
............................. 4-32
Remote Alarm
.................................................. 2-7
Remote Control
.............................................. 3-96
Remote Driver Unlock Control
........................... 2-66
Remote Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation
............ 2-6
Remote Lock and Unlock Confirmation
............... 2-67
Remote Power Sliding Door Operation
................. 2-7
Removing the Captain’s Chairs
......................... 1-15
Removing the Convenience Center
.................... 2-60
iiert-rouiny
the Fiat Tire and insiaiiing the
Spare Tire
.................................................. 5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools ................... 5-71
Removing the Split Bench Seat
........................ 1-10
Removing the Stowable Seat
............................ 1-1 9
Removing the Wheel Covers
............................ 5-76
Replacement Bulbs
......................................... 5-57
Fiepiacing i3rake System
Faris .......................... 5-42
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
.............................................. 1-77
Replacing the Captain’s Chairs
........... ... 1-16 Replacing
the Convenience Center
.... .... 2-60
Replacing the Stowable Seat
........................ 1-20
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government
................................... 7-9
General Motors
............................................. 7-9
United States Government
.............................. 7-9
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink@ Button
....... 2-53
Resetting Defaults
........................................... 2-53
Resetting the Power Sliding Door
...................... 2-21
Replacing
the Split Bench Seat
............. .... 1-11
Restraint System Check
................................... 6-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.... .... 1-77
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
.......................................... 1-77
Checking
.................................................... 1-77
Replacing Parts
........................................... 1-77
Restraints, Head
............................................... 1-6
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
...................... 2-33
Retro-Active Reset
.......................................... 3-42
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts
...... 1-37
Assistance Program
....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get
It Out ................... 4-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
....... 2-44
Restraint
Systems
n--A-. A- 1r1uaua1uc
13

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