are  worn, then you'll  have.  too much 
ff uid 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. 
194 
When  your  brake fldd falls to  a  low 
level,  your  brake warning  light  will 
come  on. See 
Brake Syste-m Warning 
Light in the Index. 
What to Add 
When  you  do  need  brake fluid,  use  o.nly 
DOT-3 brake fluid - such as  Delco 
Supreme 
11s (GM Part No. 1052535). 
Use  new  brake  fluid from a sealed 
container 
only, .and  always  clean the  brake 
fluid reservoir  cap 
before 
removing  it. 
Brake Wear 
Your  Oldsmobile has four-wheel  disc 
brakes. 
Disc  brake  pads  have  builtin wear 
indicators  that make 
a high-pitched 
warning  sound when the brake  pads  are 
worn and new  pads  are needed.  Be  
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). 
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. 
Brake  linings  should always  be  replaced 
as  complete  axle sets. 
Brake  Pedal  Travel- 
See  your  dealer if the  brake  pedal does 
not  return  to normal height,  or if there 
is  a rapid increase  in pedal  travel.  This 
could  be  a sign 
of brake trouble. 
Brake  Adjustment 
Every  time you male  a moderate brake 
stop,  your  disc  brakes adjust  for wear.  If 
you  rarely  make a mo.derate  or heavier 
stop,  then  your brakes  might not adjust 
correctly. 
If you  drive  in that  way,  then 
- very  carefully - make a  few 
moderate brake stops about  every 
1,000 
miles (1 600 km) , so your brakes  will 
adjust  properly. 
Replacing Brake  System  Parts 
The braking  system on a modern 
vehicle  is complex.  Its many  parts have 
to  be  of top  quality  and work  well 
together 
if the  vehicle  is to  have  really 
good  braking.  Vehicles  we  design  and 
test  have  top-quality 
GM brake parts  in 
them,  as your  Oldsmobile  does when it 
is new. When  you replace  parts of your 
braking  system 
- for example,  when 
your  brake  linings  wear  down and you have 
to have  new  ones put in 
- be sure 
you  get  new  genuine 
GM replacement 
parts. 
If you  don’t,  your brakes  may no 
longer  work properly.  For example,  if 
someone  puts.in brake linings  that  are 
wrong  for your  vehicle,  the balance 
between  your front and rear brakes can 
change, for  the worse; The  braking 
performance  you’ve  come  to expect can 
change  in many other  ways if someone 
puts  in  the  wrong replacement brake 
parts. 
195  
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 
Bepairs  are completed  at once. 
INSPECTION 
OR  SERVICE 
Restraint  Systems 
Steering, Suspension 
and  FrontWheel- 
Drive  Axle  Boot  and 
Seal  Inspection 
Exhaust  System 
Inspection 
Throttle  Linkage 
Inspection 
Brake  System  Inspection 
WHAT  SHOULD  BE  DONE 
Now and  then,  make  sure all  your  belts, buckles, latch plates,  retractors, anchorages and 
reminder  systems are working  properly. Look for any  loose  parts or  damage. 
If you see anything 
that  might  keep  a  restraint system  from  doing  its job,  have  it  repaired. 
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 
Engine Exhaust in the Index. 
.. - 
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 bralte 
parts,  including  calipers,  parking  brake,  etc.  Check  parking  bralte  adj\
ustment.  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  which  may  need to be  serviced. 
Also, 
if the  bralte  system  warning  light  stays  on  or  comes  on, something  may  be  wrong  with  the 
brake  system.  See 
Brake  System  Warning  Light in  the Index. If your  vehicle  is  equipped  with  anti- 
lock  brakes  and the anti-lock  bralte  system  warning 
light stays  on, comes  on or  flashes,  something 
may  be  wrong  with  the anti-lock  brake  system.  See 
Anti-Lock  Brake System Warning  Light in the Index. 
247