
Service &Appearance  Care 
21 0 
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
The following  information relates  to  the 
system  developed  by the  United  States 
National Highway  Traffic Safety 
Administration  which grades tires by 
treadwear,  traction  and  temperature 
performance. (This applies  only to 
vehicles  sold  in  the United  States.) 
Treadwear 
The treadwear  grade is a comparative 
rating  based on  the  wear rate 
of the  tire 
when  tested  under  controlled  conditions 
on a specified  government 
test  course.  For example,  a tire graded 
150 would wear  one and  a half (1 %) 
times  as well  on  the  government  course 
as  a  tire graded 
100. The relative 
performance  of tires  depends  upon the 
actual  conditions  of their  use, however, 
and  may  depart  significantly  from  the 
norm  due to variations  in driving  habits, 
service practices  and differences  in road 
characteristics and climate. 
Traction-A, B, C 
The  traction  grades, from highest  to 
lowest  are: 
A, B, and C. They represent 
the  tire’s  ability to  stop  on  wet 
pavement as measured  under controlled 
conditions  on specified  government  test 
surfaces  of asphalt  and concrete. 
A tire 
marked 
C may  have  poor traction 
performance. 
Warning: The  traction  grade assigned  to 
this  tire  is based on braking  (straight- 
ahead)  traction  tests  and  does not 
include cornering  (turning)  traction. 
Temperature-A, B, C 
The temperature  grades are A (the 
highest) 
B, and C, representing  the 
tire’s resistance  to  the generation  of heat  and  its 
ability to dissipate  heat 
when  tested  under  controlled 
conditions  on  a  specified indoor 
laboratory  test wheel.  Sustained  high 
temperature  can  cause the material 
of 
the  tire  to degenerate and reduce  tire 
life,  and  excessive  temperature  can  lead 
to  sudden  tire failure.  The grade 
C 
corresponds  to  a  level of performance 
which  all passenger car tires must meet 
under  the Federal Motor  Vehicle Safety 
Standard 
No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent  higher levels of performance 
on  the  laboratory  test wheel  than  the 
minimum  required by law. 
Warning: The  temperature  grade for 
this  tire  is established for  a  tire that is 
properly inflated  and not overloaded. 
Excessive  speed,  underinflation,  or 
excessive loading,  either separately  or in 
combination,  can  cause heat  buildup 
and  possible tire failure. 
These  grades  are molded 
on the 
sidewalls  of passenger car  tires. 
While  the tires  available  as  standard  or 
optional  equipment  on  General Motors 
vehicles  may  vary  with respect to these 
grades,  all such  tires  meet General 
Motors performance  standards  and 
ProCarManuals.com 

have been approved for  use on General 
~ Motors  vehicles.  All passenger type 
(P Metric)  tires  must  conform to 
Federal safety  requirements  in  addition 
to  these  grades. 
Wheel  Alignment  and  Tire 
Balance 
The  wheels  on your  vehicle  were 
aligned  and balanced  carefully at  the 
factory  to give  you  the longest  tire  life 
and  best  overall performance. 
In  most  cases,  you  will  not need  to have 
your wheels aligned  again. However, 
if 
you notice  unusual  tire  wear  or  your 
vehicle  pulling one way  or the  other,  the 
alignment  may need  to be  reset.  If you 
notice  your vehicle  vibrating  when 
driving  on a smooth  road,  your wheels 
may  need 
to be rebalanced. 
Wheel  Replacement 
Replace  any wheel  that is bent, cracked 
or  badly  rusted.  If wheel  nuts keep 
coming  loose, the wheel, wheel  bolts, 
and  wheel  nuts should  be  replaced. 
If 
the wheel  leala  air,  replace  it  (except 
some  aluminum  wheels, which  can 
sometimes  be  repaired).  See your  Oldsmobile dealer 
if any  of these 
conditions  exist. 
Your dealer  will know  the kind  of wheel 
you  need. 
Each new wheel  should have the same 
load carrying  capacity,  diameter,  width, 
offset,  and be mounted  the same  way as 
the  one  it  replaces. 
If you need  to replace  any of your 
wheels,  wheel bolts, or wheel  nuts, 
replace  them only with  new GM 
original  equipment  parts.  This  way, you 
will  be sure  to  have the right  wheel, 
wheel  bolts,  and  wheel nuts  for  your 
Oldsmobile  model. 
NOTICE: 
The wrong  wheel can also  cause 
problems  with bearing  life, brake 
cooling,  speedometer/odometer 
calibration,  headlight aim,  bumper 
height,  vehicle ground  clearance, 
and  tire  or tire  chain  clearance  to 
the  body  and  chassis. 
Used Replacement Wheels 
21 1 
ProCarManuals.com 

Service &Appearance Cure 
212 
Tire Chains 
NOTICE: 
Use tire  chains  only where  legal and 
only  when  you must.  Use  only  SAE 
Class 
“S” type  chains  that  are  the 
proper size for  your  tires. Install 
them on  the  front  tires  and  tighten 
them  as tightly  as possible  with  the 
ends  securely  fastened.  Drive 
slowly  and follow  the  chain 
manufacturer’s  instructions.  If you 
can  hear  the  chains  contacting  your 
vehicle,  stop  and  retighten  them, 
If 
the contact  continues,  slow down 
until  it stops.  Driving  too  fast with 
chains  on  will damage your vehicle. 
Appearance  Care 
Remember, cleaning  products can be 
hazardous.  Some are toxic.  Others  can 
burst  into  flame if you  strike 
a match  or 
get them  on  a  hot  part 
of the vehicle. 
Some  are  dangerous 
if you breathe  their 
fumes  in a closed space.  When  you use 
anything  from a  container  to clean your 
Oldsmobile, be  sure  to follow the 
manufacturer’s warnings and  instructions. 
And  always open your 
doors  or  windows when you’re cleanin, 
the  inside. 
Never use  these  to  clean your  vehicle: 
Gasoline 
Benzene 
Naphtha 
Carbon Tetrachloride 
Acetone 
Paint  Thinner 
Turpentine 
Lacquer Thinner 
Nail Polish  Remover 
They  can all be  hazardous 
- some 
more  than  others 
- and they  can all 
damage your vehicle,  too. 
NOTICE: 
Don’t use any of these unless  this 
manual  says  you  can. In many  uses, 
these  will damage 
your vehicle: 
Laundry  Soap 
Bleach 
Reducing Agents 
Cleaning  the  Inside of Your 
Oldsmobile 
Use a vacuum  cleaner often  to get  rid of 
dust  and  loose dirt. Wipe  vinyl  or 
leather  with  a clean, damp  cloth. 
Your  Oldsmobile dealer  has two 
GM 
cleaners,  a solvent-type  spot lifter  and  a 
foam-type powdered cleaner. They  will 
clean  normal  spots  and  stains  very  well. 
Do not  use  them on vinyl  or leather. 
Here  are  some cleaning tips: 
Always read the  instructions  on  the 
cleaner label. 
Clean  up  stains  as  soon  as  you can - I 
before they  set. 
Use a clean cloth  or sponge,  and 
change  to 
a clean  area often. A soft 
brush  may  be  used 
if stains  are 
stubborn. 
Use  solvent-type cleaners  in a well- 
ventilated  area only.  If you  use them, 
don’t  saturate  the  stained  area. 
If a  ring  forms after  spot cleaning, 
clean  the  entire  area  immediately or  it 
will  set. 
ProCarManuals.com 

Maintenance  Schedule 
238 
Explanation of Scheduled 
Maintenance  Services 
Following  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 SH or SG  Energy 
Conserving 
I1 oils  of proper  viscosity. 
The 
“SH” or “SG” designation  may 
be  shown alone 
or in combination 
with others, such  as “SH/CD,” 
“SH, 
SG, CD,” “SG/CD,”  etc.  To 
determine  the preferred  viscosity  for 
your  vehicle’s  engine (e.g., 
SAE 5W- 
30 or  SAE 10W-30),  see 
Engine  Oil 
in the Index. 
2. Chassis  Lubrication - Lubricate 
suspension and steering  linkage. 
Lubricate  the transaxle  shift  linkage, 
and  parking  brake cable  guides, 
underbody  contact points and 
linkage. 
3. Tire  and  Wheel  Rotation  and 
Inspection 
- For  proper  wear and 
maximum  tire life,  rotate  your tires 
following  the instructions  in this 
manual.  See 
Tires,  Inspection E. 
Rotation in  the Index. Check the 
tires  for uneven  wear 
or damage.  If 
you  see  irregular  or premature  wear, 
check  the wheel  alignment.  Check  for 
damaged  wheels  also. 
Engine  Accessory  Drive  Inspection 
- Inspect the drive  belt  for cracks, 
fraying,  wear  and proper tension. 
Replace  as needed. 
I 
Cooling  System Servicee - Drain, 
flush  and refill  the system  with new 
or  approved  recycled  coolant 
conforming  to GM  Specification 
I 
1825M.  Keep  coolant  at the  proper 1 
mixture  as specified.  See  Coolant in 
the 
Index. This  provides  proper 
freeze  and boil  protection, corrosion 
I 
inhibitor  level and maintains proper ’ 
engine operating temperature. 
Inspect  hoses 
and replace if they are 
cracked,  swollen  or  deteriorated. 
Tighten  screw-type  hose clamps. 
Clean  the outside  of the  radiator and 
air  conditioning  condenser. Wash  tht 
pressure cap and  neck. 
To help ensure  proper  operation,  we 
recommend 
a pressure  test of both the 
cooling  system  and the pressure  cap. 
ProCarManuals.com 

240 
Section B: Owner  Checks  and  Services Be sure  any necessary repairs  are completed at once. 
Whenever  any  fluids  or  lubricants  are  added to your vehicle, 
Listed  below are  owner  checks and services which  should  be malte  Sure they  are the  proper  ones,  as  shown in Section 
D. 
performed  at  the intervals  specified to help ensure  the  safety, 
dependability  and emission  control performance  of your 
vehicle. 
Each Fuel Fill (It is  important 
for you or a service  station  attendant  to  perform 
these underhood 
checks at each fuel  fill.) 
I 
Check  the engine coolant  level and add the proper  coolant mix if necessary. See Coolant in  the 
Engine Index for  further  details. 
CHECK 
OR SERVICE 
I 
WHAT TO DO 
Check the engine  oil  level  and  add  the proper  oil  if necessary. See Engine  Oil in the Index for 
further  details. 
Engine 
Oil  Level 
Windshield Washer  Check  the windshield washer  fluid  level in the  windshield  washer  tank  and  add the proper fluid  if 
Fluid  Level  necessary. See 
Windshield Washer  Fluid in the Index for  further  details. I 
It Leasf Once a Month 
CHECK 
OR SERVICE 
I 
WHAT  TO DO I 
Tire Inflation I 
Check tire inflation.  Make sure they  are inflated  to  the pressures  specified on the  Certification/ 
Tire  label  located 
on the rear  edge  of the  driver’s door. See Tires in  the Index for further  details. 
Cassette Deck 
I 
Clean  cassette  deck.  Cleaning should be  done every 15 hours  of tape  play.  See Audio  Systems in 
the 
Index for  further  details. 
ProCarManuals.com 

Index 
268 
Recommended Fluids and 
Lubricants 
....................................... 244 
Reminder  Light 
.................................. 75 
Remote  Lock Control 
......................... 48 
Removing  Rear Bucket  Seats 
............. 16 
Replacement Fuses 
........................... 220 
Replacement  Parts 
........................... 226 
Replacing Brake System  Parts ......... 203 
Replacing  Bulbs 
........................ 228,  229 
Replacing  Safety Belts 
........................ 41 
Replacing  Tires 
................................. 209 
Replacing  Windshield Wipers 
.......... 205 
Restraint, Head 
.................................. 14 
Restraints,  Child ................................. 35 
Roadside Assistance ......................... 253 
Replacement 
Bulbs 
.................. 228. 229 
Replacing  Rear  Bucket Seats 
............. 18 
Replacing  Wheels ............................. 2 11 
Roads, Hill and Mountain ............... 147 
Rocking  Your  Vehicle 
...................... 179 
Rotation,  Tire 
................................... 208 
S afety  Belts ....................................... 18 
Adults ............................................... 22 
Center  Passenger Position 
.............. 31 
Checking .......................................... 41 
Children 
...................................... 34, 39 
Child  Restraints ............................... 35 
Cleaning 
......................................... 2  14 
Driver Position 
................................ 22  Extender 
........................................... 41 
How to 
Wear .................................... 22 
Lap-Shoulder  Belt 
........................... 23 
Passenger  Belts 
................................ 30 
Pregnancy.  Use During 
................... 30 
Questions & Answers ... 21.24.  40. 42 
Rear  Safety  Belts 
............................. 30 
Reminder  Light 
................................ 22 
Replacement 
.................................... 41 
Right  Front.  Adult  Passenger 
.......... 30 
Smaller Children  and Babies 
........... 34 
Top  Strap 
......................................... 36 
Torn 
.................................................. 42 
Twisted 
............................................. 26 
Why 
You Should  Wear 
Safety  Belts 
................................... 18 
Safety  Belt Extender .......................... 41 
Safety  Belt Reminder Light 
................. 22 
Safety Defects, Reporting 
................ 252 
Scheduled Maintenance  Services 
.... 233 
Seat  Adjustment 
........................... 12, 17 
Seat  Belts  (see 
Safety  Belts) 
Seat Controls ...................................... 12 
Head  Restraint ................................. 14 
Manual  Front  Seat 
........................... 12 
Manual Reclining  Seatback ............. 13 
Manual Seat, Four-Way .................. 12 
Power  Seat, Six-Way 
....................... 13 
Rear Seats ........................................ 15 
Adjusting ....................................... 17  Removing 
...................................... 15 
Replacing ....................................... 18 
Third Row Entry ........................... 15 
Reclining 
Seatback .......................... 13 
“Service Engine Soon” Light ........... 106 
Service Information ......................... 182 
Service  Parts Identification Label 
... 218 
Service  Publications 
......................... 254 
Service  Station  Information 
............ 272 
Servicing Your  Air Bag-Equipped 
Oldsmobile 
........................................ 29 
Setting  the Clock 
.............................. 117 
Setting  the Trip  Odometer 
................. 99 
Shifting  Into 
P (Park) ........................ 66 
Shifting  the Automatic  Transaxle 
..... 62 
Signaling  Turns 
.......................... 71, 155 
Six-Way Power  Seat ........................... 13 
Skidding ............................................ 141 
Sliding  Door 
....................................... 51 
Sliding Door Ajar Warning  Light ..... 107 
Snowstorm, If You’re  Caught  in a ... 149 
Sound  Equipment,  Adding 
.............. 117 
Sound  Systems (see 
Audio Systems) 
Spare Tire, Compact ........................ 178 
Specifications 
& Capacities ............. 224 
Speed Control  (see 
Cruise Control) 
Speedometer & Odometer ................. 99 
Stains,  Removing 
............................. 213 
Starting  Your Engine 
......................... 58 
ProCarManuals.com 

Starting Your  Vehicle if the Battery  is 
Steering  “Dead” (see 
Jump Starting) 
In  Emergencies .............................. 139 
Off-Road  Recovery ........................ 140 
Power 
............................................. 138 
Tips ................................................ 138 
Steering  Wheel.  Tilt ............................ 69 
Steering  Wheel Touch Controls 
...... 127 
Stereo Sound  Systems 
(see 
Audio  Systems ) 
Storing  Your  Vehicle ........................ 203 
Compact  Overhead  Console 
........... 95 
Compartment 
................................... 83 
Cup  Holder ...................................... 89 
Locking  Bin ..................................... 90 
Luggage  Carrier 
............................... 92 
Overhead  Console 
........................... 79 
Rear  Compartment 
.......................... 91 
Sunglasses 
........................................ 83 
Stuck.  If  You Are ........................... 179 
Sunroof 
............................................... 95 
Sun  Visors 
.......................................... 87 
Supplemental Restraint 
System 
(SRS) ................................... 26 
Storage 
Convenience  Net 
............................. 91 
Garage Door Opener 
....................... 80 
Glove  Boxes 
..................................... 88 
T achometer ....................................... 99 
Taillights 
........................................... 204 
Tape  Player  (see 
Audio Systems) 
Technical  Facts & Specifications 
Bulbs 
...................................... 228. 229 
Capacities 
& Specifications .......... 224 
Circuit  Brealters/Relays 
................. 222 
Add-on 
......................... 60.  117. 219 
Engine 
............................................ 226 
Fluids 
& Lubricants ...................... 227 
Fuses 
.............................. 219.  220.  221 
Replacement  Parts 
......................... 226 
Service  Parts Identification 
Label 
............................................ 218 
Vehicle  Identification Number 
(VIN) 
........................................... 218 
Temperature  Display 
.......................... 81 
Temperature Warning ...................... 103 
Theft 
.................................................... 50 
Thermostat ....................................... 199 
Tilt  Steering  Wheel 
............................. 69 
Time.  Setting  the 
.............................. 117 
Tire  Loading 
..................................... 206 
Tires 
.................................................. 207 
“Blow  Out” 
.................................... 172 
Buying  New 
................................... 209 
Chains 
.................................... 178. 212 
Electrical 
Equipment. 
Flat.  Changing 
............................... 172  Inflation 
................... 85. 172. 178. 
208 
Loading 
.......................................... 206 
Pressure 
......................................... 208 
Quality Grading 
............................. 210 
Spare.  Compact 
............................. 178 
Wear  Indicators 
............................. 209 
Wheel  Alignment 
& Tire 
Balance 
........................................ 211 
Wheel  Replacement 
....................... 211 
Torque  Lock 
....................................... 67 
Towing  a  Trailer 
............................... 151 
Inspection & Rotation ................... 208 
Wheel  Nut Torque 
................. 177, 225 
Top  Strap 
............................................ 36 
Towing  Your  Vehicle 
....................... 162 
Traction Control  System 
................... 137 
Traction Control  System 
Warning  Light 
................................ 105 
Trailer  Towing 
.................................. 151 
Brakes ............................................ 154 
Maintenance .................................. 156 
Parking  on 
Hills .............................. 156 
Safety  Chains 
................................. 154 
(see 
Automatic  Transaxle) 
(see Automatic  Transaxle) 
Transaxle, Automatic 
Transmission, Automatic 
Trip  Odometer 
.................................... 99 
Turn  Signal  Indicator ......................... 71 
Turn  Signal/Multifunction  Lever 
...... 70 269 
ProCarManuals.com