Probkms on the Road
Jump Starting (CONT.)
190
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure
the vehicles aren’t touching each
other. If they are,
it could cause a
ground connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to start
your
Oldsmobile, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the
vehicles roll. Set the parking
brake firmly on each vehicle. Put
an
automatic transaxle in P (Park) or
a manual transaxle in
N (Neutral).
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Turn
off all lights that aren’t
needed, and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the
batteries.
I
~~~~
I 2 /i An even electric when the f- engine is not
I running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away
I from any underhood electric fan.
Find the positive
(+) and negative (-)
terminals on each battery. Your
Oldsmobile has a remote positive
(+)
jump starting terrninal. The terminal is
on the same side
of the engine
compartment as your battery.
You should always use the remote
positive
(+) terminal instead of the
positive
(+) terminal on your battery.
To uncover the remote positive
(+)
terminal, lift the red plastic cap.
Problems on the Road
194
Towing Your Oldsmobile (CONTJ
When your vehicle is being towed, have
the ignition key
off. The steering wheel
should be clamped in
a straight-ahead
position, with
a clamping device
designed for towing service. Do not use
the vehicle’s steering column lock for
this. The transaxle should be in
N (Neutral), and the parking brake
released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the
front wheels, unless you must. If the
vehicle must be towed on the front
wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph
(56 km/h) or farther than 50 miles
(80 lun) or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limits must be
exceeded, then the front wheels have to
be supported on a dolly. A vehicle can fall from a
car
secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle
damage. The vehicle should be
tightly secured with chains or steel
cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes,
leather straps, canvas webbing,
etc.) that can be cut by sharp edges
underneath the towed vehicle.
/A carrier if it isn’t properly
Towing from the Front-
Vehicle Hook-up
Before hooking up to a tow truck, be
sure
to read all the information on
Towing
Your Oldsmobile earlier in this
section.
All Models
1. Attach T-hook chains into the side
slots in the cradle in front of the
wheels, on both sides.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level
place. Turn on
your hazard warning flashers.
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't move, you can put chocks at the
front and rear of the tire farthest away
from the one being changed. That would
! the tire on the other side of the vehicle. at the omosite end.
c& ..:
The following steps will tell you how to
use the jack and change a tire.
The equipment you'll need is
in the
trunk.
1. Pull the carpeting from the Boor of
the trunk.
2. Turn the center retainer bolt on the
compact spare tire housing
countercloclwise to remove it, then
lift
the^ tire cover.
205
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (CONT.)
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transaxle fluid level
if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite awhile.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot
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 lm) when outside
temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If
it's colder than 50°F
(lO"C), you may
have to drive longer.
90°F (32°C).
weather.
To Check the Fluid Level:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
Place the shift lever in P (Park) with
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the
parking brake applied.
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in
P (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.
Then, Without Shutting off the
Engine, Follow These Steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out
must be in the crosshatched area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
-
Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cant.)
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in Schedule I
and Schedule 11.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Section
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs done
before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change”-Always use SG
296
2
Energy Conserving I1 oils for proper viscosity. The
“SG” designation may be shown alone or in
combination with others, such as “SG/CC,”
“SG/CD” or “SF, SG, CC,” etc.
To determine the
preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-30 or SAE 1OW-30) see the Index under
Engine Oil.
Chassis Lubrication-Lubricate the transaxle shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, underbody
contact points and linkage. Lubricate the front and
rear suspension and steering linkage.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
3 Throttle Body Mounting Bolt Torque (3.1L
Code T or M engines only)*-Check the torque of
the mounting bolts and/or nuts.
4 Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection-For
proper wear and maximum tire life, rotate your
tires following the instructions in this manual. See
the
Index under Tires, Inspection G Rotation.
Check the tires for uneven wear or damage. If you
see irregular or premature wear, check the wheel
alignment. Check for damaged wheels also.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s displacement and code, see the Index under Engine Identification
* An Emission Control Service.
0 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty QY
limit recall liability prior to the completion of vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all re\
commended maintenance services be
performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in Section E: Maintenance Record.
Maintenance Schedule
Section 8: Owner Checks & Services (cant.)
300
At Least Once a Year
CHECK
OR SERVICE WHAT TO DO
~ ~_~__
Key Lock Cylinders Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Section D.
Body Lubrication Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for the
hood, rear compartment, glove box door, console door and any folding seat hardware. Section
D
tells you what to use.
CAUTION
n
I When you are doing this chock, the vehicle could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see the Index under Parking Brake if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the starter works in any other position, your vehicle needs service.
CHECK
OR SERVICE
Steering Column Lock
Parking Brake and
Automatic Transaxle
P (Park) Mechanism
Check
Underbody Flushing
WHAT TO DO
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the key to Lock in each shift lever
position.
The key should turn to Lock only when the shift lever is in P (Park).
The key should come out only in
Lock.
When you are doing this check, your vehicle could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is room in front
of your vehicle
in case it begins
to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to
move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your fool
un the regula1
brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running and transaxle in N (Neutral), slowly
remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
To check the P (Park) mechanism’s holding ability: Shift to P (Park). Then release all brakes.
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take
care
to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect. 1 301
Maintenunce Schedule
Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall).
You should let your GM dealer’s service department or other qualified service center do these jobs. Make sure any necessary
repairs
are completed at once.
302
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Steering, Suspension
and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal
Inspection
Exhaust System
Inspection
Throttle Linkage
Inspection
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts,
signs of wear, or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near the exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose connections, or
other conditions which could cause a heat build-up in the floor
pan or could let exhaust fumes
into the vehicle. See the
Index under Engine Ekhaust.
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts.
Replace parts as needed.
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hookup, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Inspect
other brake parts, including 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.
NOTE: A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads whi\
ch may need to be
serviced. Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong
with the brake system. See the
Index under Brake System Warning Light. If your vehicle is
equipped with anti-lock brakes and the anti-lock brake system w\
arning light stays on, comes on
or flashes, something may be wrong with the anti-lock brake system. See the
Index under Anti-
Lock Brake System Warning Light.