Service & Appearance  Care 
202 
container only, and always  clean the 
brake  fluid reservoir  cap before 
removing  it. 
NOTICE: 
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can 
Don’t  let someone  put in the 
damage 
your vehicle.  Don’t use it. 
wrong kind  of fluid. For example, 
just  a  few drops  of mineral-based 
oil,  such 
as engine  oil, in your 
brake system  can damage brake 
system  parts 
so badly that they’ll 
have  to be replaced. 
Brake  fluid can damage  paint, so 
be careful  not  to spill brake  fluid 
on  your vehicle.  If you  do, wash  it 
off  immediately.  See 
Appearance 
Care 
in  the Index. 
Brake  Wear 
Your  Oldsmobile  has  front disc brakes 
and  rear drum brakes. 
Disc  brake  pads have built-in wear 
indicators  that make 
a high-pitched 
warning  sound when the brake pads  are worn 
and new  pads  are  needed.  The 
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.  Your 
rear drum brakes  don’t have wear 
indicators,  but  if you  ever hear  a rear 
brake rubbing noise, have  the  rear brake 
linings  inspected.  Also, the rear  brake 
drums  should  be  removed  and 
inspected each time  the  tires  are 
removed  for  rotation  or changing. When 
you  have  the  front  brakes replaced, 
have  the rear brakes  inspected,  too. 
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 apply the brakes 
moderately, with or  without  the vehicle 
moving,  your brakes  adjust for wear. 
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