wiper blades OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 2003 Owners Manual

Flash-to-Pass
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily switch on the high beams (to signal
that you are going to pass). When you release the lever,
they will turn
off.
Windshield Wipers
To operate the windshield wipers turn the band marked
WIPER, located on the multifunction lever.
MIST: Turn the band to MIST for a single wiping cycle.
Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let
go. The
wipers will stop after one wipe.
If you want more wipes,
hold the band on mist longer.
OFF: Turn the band to
OFF to turn off the
windshield wipers.
LOW: Turn the band to LOW, for steady wiping at
low speed.
HIGH: Turn the band to HIGH, for steady wiping at
high speed.
DELAY: Turn the band away from you to one of the
five sensitivity settings between
OFF and LOW, to
choose the delayed wiping cycle. The further the band
is turned toward LOW, the shorter the delay will be.
Use this setting tor light rain or snow. 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 from the wiper
blades before using them.
If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully 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.
Windshield Washer
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 wi--
- r speed you had selected earlier.
I I
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.
3-9

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. Driving too fast through large
water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you
hit them.
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t
work as well
in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
4-1 9

When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
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
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help
if you need it.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Nuid: Is the reservior full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checkea
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?
4-23

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade
Check
in At Least Twice a Year on page 6-10 for
more information.
Replacement blades come
in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page
5- 105.
To remove the windshield wiper blade(s):
1. Turn the wipers on to the lowest intermittent setting.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF while the wipers are at
3. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the
the outer position
of the wipe pattern.
windshield or backglass.
4. While holding the
wiper arm away from
the glass, push
the release clip from
under the blade.
5-58

Cleaning Exterior LarnpdLenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a
car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle”
previously.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page
5-93.
If your vehicle has a “basecoaflclearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoaflclearcoat
paint finish.
Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may
dl!!! the finish nr !!%!
e rwIr! marks-
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicte as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Windshield, Backglass and Wiper
Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or
if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean
if beads
do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
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Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
5-9 1

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Part
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Engine Oil Filter
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Kit
Spark Pluas
Windshield Wiper Blades
Length
Type
Wiper Blade (Backglass) Length
TY Pe
*ACDelco@ part number. Number
A-I 208C*
PF47
GM Part No. 52482929
41
-1 01 *
24.0 inches (60.0 cm)
Shepherd’s Hook
16.0 inches (40.6 cm)
Shepherd’s Hook
5-1 05

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-90.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly inflation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inflated to
the correct tire inflation pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, use the folding
wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire
on page
5-70.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page
6-16.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-20. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assemblies,
secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor and release
pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding seats, fuel door
hinge, liftgate hinges, power sliding door cable and
sliding door track(s). Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exnosed tn ;I cnrrnsive enyirnnm~nf.
6-1 1

When to Check and Change ............................ 5-20
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-38
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill
..................................................... 4-43
Where to Put the Restraint
............................... 1-54
Why Safety Belts Work .................................... 1-23
Windshield, Backglass and Wiper Blades
........... 5-91
Windows ....................................................... 2-24
Power
........................................................ 2-25
Power Rear Quarter
..................................... 2-26
Windshield Washer
........................................... 3-9
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-38 Windshield
Washer Fluid Level Check
............ 6-10
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
.................. ........ 5-58
Fuses
........................................................ 5-96
Windshield Wipers
............................................ 3-9
Winter Driving
................................................ 4-26
Wiper Blade Check
..................... ............ 6-11
Weight of the Trailer
........................................ 4-38
Your Vehicle and the Environment
....................... 6-2
18