trailer OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 2003 Owner's Manual

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

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD
(3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you’re parked. If you still have the
warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-28

I Fuse I Usage I
Blank I Not Used
I PCM/CRANK I Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
Ignition Crank
I PASS KEY I PASS-Key@ Ill System I
I PWR LOCK I Power Door Locks I
I HTD MIRROR I Heated Mirrors I
I
RH T/LP I Driver’s Side Taillamp (Export Only) I
I
RR FOG LP I Fog Lamps (Export Only) I
CIGAR/DIC/
Auxiliary Power Outlets, Data Link
APO FRT Cigarette
Lighter, DIC, Front
I T/SIG I Turn Signal Switch I
PWR QTR
VENT Interior Lamp
and Multifunction
Switch (Power Vent Switch),
Auto Level
Windshield WiperNVasher Motor
and Switch
I HAZARD I Hazard Switch I
I RR PWR SCKT I Rear Electric Accessory Plug
Housing
I DRL Daytime Running
Lamp Control
Module Fuse
I Usage
LH T/LP
I
Passenger’s Side Taillamp
(Export Only)
RR DEFOG/ Rear Window Defogger Relay,
HTD MIRROR Heated Mirrors
ON STAR onstar@
SIR Inflatable Restraint Control Module HVAC
I Heater-A/C Control
BLOWER
MALL
CLUSTER Instrument Cluster, Body Control
Module, Electronic Level Control
(ELC) Sensor and Relay, Theft,
Door Ajar
STOP LAMP
I Stoplamp Switch
CLUSTER BATT Module/Electronic Brake Control
Module/Electronic Brake Traction
Control Module (EBCM/EBTCM)
Evaporative Emissions (EVAP)
Canister Vent Solenoid Valve,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
ENHANCED
Blank Not Used
ELC Air Compressor and ELC
Heiaht Sensor. Trailer Harness
5-98

Underhood Fuse Block
This fuse block is located
in the engine compartment,
in front of the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
See
Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
The fuses marked spare are available
if a replacement
fuse
is needed.
To remove the cover, turn the knob counterclockwise
and lift up.
When finished, to put the cover back on, turn the knob
clockwise to tighten it. Make sure that the remote
positive
(+) terminal cover is on correctly.
(71
[61
[2)
111 Aul
I Fuse
I 2
4
Usage
Coolant Fans
Not Used
Circuit Breakers: Front Comfort
Controls Hi Blower, and Headlamp
Fuses (Instrument Panel): Hazard
and Stoplamp, PASS-Key@
Circuit Breaker: Power Seat and
Power Sliding Door. Fuses
(Instrument Panel): Electronic Level
Control and Rear Defogger, Trailer,
Fog Lamps
5-1 00

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

Door Ajar Warning Message
................................. 3-57
Last Door Closed Locking
............................. 2-1 1
Power Door Locks ....................................... 2-10
Power Sliding Door
...................................... 2-1 6
Power Sliding Warning Message
.................... 3-56
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............. 2-1 2
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-28
Dual Sliding
Doors
....................................... 2-13
Locks
.......................................................... 2-9
Driver
Driver Information Center (DIC)
......................... 3-60
Driving
At Night
.................................................. 4-17
City
........................................................ 4-21
Defensive ..................................................... 4-2
Drunken ....................................................... 4-3
Freeway
..................................................... 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-1 8
Winter
........................................................ 4-26
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-42
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-20
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-40
Dual Trip Odometers
....................................... 3-41
ZrkiGCJ Gfi Sncjiiv Gi- kl3 4-a
Driving Through Flowing Water ......................... 4-20
Dual Climate Control System
............................ 3-28
n ,. ....................................
DVD
Care of Your
.......................................... 3-104
Care
of Your DVD Player ............................ 3-104
Cleaning the Video Screen
.......................... 3-105
Cleaning Your DVD Player .......................... 3-105
Distortion
.................................................. 3-1 03
Entertainment System
.................................. 3-91
DVD Player
.................................................... 3-94
E
Eight-Way Power Seats ..................................... 1-3
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-96
Headlamp Wiring
......................................... 5-96
Power Windows and Other Power Options
...... 5-96
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-96
Maintenance Programs
............................. 3-50
Air CleanedFilter
...................... ........ 5-19
Battery ....................................................... 5-43
Change Oil Message
................................... 3-56
Coolant
...................................................... 5-23
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-35
Emissions Inspection and
Engine
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-47
Cnn!ant Temperature G2ge ........................... 3-47
5

How to Use This Manual ................... .... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............... 1-27
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-27
If the Light Is Flashing ..................................... 3-49
If the Light Is On Steady ................................. 3-49
If You Are Stuck in Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
....... 4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-37
Your
Engine
................................................ 5-28
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-28
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-32
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-48
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ................................... 5-61
Inspection Brake System
............................................. 6-15
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-14
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-14
Fuel System
............................................... 6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
..................................... 6-14 Inspection
(cont.)
Throttle System
........................................... 6-15
Transfer Care (Power Transfer Unit) and
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module) All-Wheel Drive
........... 6-15
Instrument Panel Cluster
..........................................
Overview ......................................
Switchbank ....................................
Instrument Panel Brightness ................
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ...............
Interior Lamps ...................................
Interior Lamps Control ........................
Interior Lamps Override ......................
Interior Plastic Components .................
....
.......... 3-40
........... 3-4
.......... 3-21
.......... 3-17
.......... 5-97
.......... 3-17
.......... 3-17
.......... 3-17
.......... 5-89
Jump Starting
......................... . 5-44
Key Lock Cylinders Service
................. .... .......... 6-11
Keyless Entry System
....................................... 2-5
Keys
............................................................... 2-3

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

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