
Feutuves & Conlrok 
78 
To Turn the Wipers Off Slide the 
upper  control  to  the 
OFF position. 
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 
ro wash your windshield,  press and 
Told  the windshield washer  switch. The 
washers  and wipers  will operate.  When 
JOU release the switch,  the  washers  will 
;top,  and  the  wipers will continue  to 
lperate  for two  cycles, unless your 
wipers  had already been  on. In that 
case,  the wipers  will resume  the wiper 
speed  you  had selected earlier. 
Driving  without  washer  fluid can be 
dangerous. 
A bad  mud  splash  can block 
your  vision. 
You could hit  another 
vehicle  or go  off  the road.  Check your 
washer  fluid  level  often. 
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a driver  who  doesn’t  lower the high 
beams,  or 
a vehicle with misaimed 
headlights),  slow down  a  little. Avoid 
staring  directly  into  the  approaching 
lights. 
Keep  your windshield  and all the  glass 
on  your vehicle clean 
- inside  and  out. 
Glare 
at night  is made  much  worse  by 
dirt  on the  glass.  Even  the  inside 
of the 
glass  can build  up  a film caused  by dust. 
Dirty  glass makes  lights dazzle  and 
flash more  than clean  glass would, 
making  the pupils 
of your  eyes contract 
repeatedly. 
Remember  that your  headlights  light up 
far  less  of a roadway  when you are  in  a 
turn  or curve.  Keep your eyes moving; 
that  way,  it’s easier  to pick  out dimly 
lighted objects.  Just  as your headlights 
should  be checked regularly  for proper 
aim, so should  your eyes be examined 
regularly.  Some drivers  suffer from 
night  blindness 
- the  inability  to see  in 
dim  light 
- and  aren’t  even aware of it. 
4 Driving  in the Rain 
Rain  and  wet  roads  can  mean  driving 
trouble.  On  a  wet  road  you can’t  stop, 
accelerate  or turn  as  well because  your 
tire-to-road  traction  isn’t  as  good as  on 
dry roads.  And,  if your  tires  don’t  have 
much  tread  left, you’ll  get  even less 
traction.  It’s  always  wise to go  slower 
and  be  cautious  if rain  starts  to fall 
while  you are driving.  The  surface  may 
get  wet  suddenly  when  your  reflexes are 
tuned  for driving on dry pavement.  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.  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. 
143 
ProCarManuals.com 

Your Driving and the Road 
146 
flow.  Try to merge  into  the  gap at close 
to  the  prevailing  speed. Switch on your 
turn  signal, check your mirrors  and 
glance  over your  shoulder  as often  as 
necessary.  Try to blend smoothly  with 
the  traffic  flow. 
Once 
you are  on  the  freeway, adjust 
your speed  to  the posted limit  or to  the 
prevailing  rate 
if it’s slower. Stay in  the 
right lane unless  you want  to pass. 
Before  changing  lanes, check your 
mirrors.  Then  use  your turn signal. 
Just  before  you  leave  the  lane, glance 
quickly  over  your shoulder  to make  sure 
there  isn’t another  vehicle in your 
“blind”  spot. 
Once  you are moving 
on the  freeway, 
make  certain  you allow  a reasonable 
following  distance. Expect to move 
slightly  slower at night. 
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. 
I 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 service, have  it 
done  before  starting  out. Of course, 
you’ll  find  experienced  and able  service 
experts  in Oldsmobile dealerships  all 
across  North America.  They‘ll  be  ready 
and  willing  to help 
if you  need  it. 
Here  are  some things  you can check 
before  a trip: 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid: Is the 
reservoir  full? Are 
all windows clean 
inside  and  outside? 
shape? 
you  checked  all  levels? 
lenses clean? 
safe, trouble-free  trip. 
Is the tread 
good  enough  for long-distance 
driving? Are  the tires  all inflated  to 
the  recommended pressure? 
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? 
Wiper  Blades: Are they in  good 
Fuel,  Engine  Oil,  Other  Fluids: Have 
Lights: Are they all working? Are  the 
Tires: They are vitally  important  to a 
Weather  Forecasts: What’s  the 
Highway  Hypnosis 
Is tbere actually  such  a condition  as 
“highway  hypnosis”?  Or is  it  just  plain 
falling  asleep at  the wheel?  Call it 
highway  hypnosis,  lack of awareness,  or 
whatever. 
ProCarManuals.com 

4. Pull off the  entire  taillight  housing. 
5. Pinch the lever  and twist  the bulb 
assembly 
M turn  countercloclwise  to 
remove. 
~ 6. Remove  the bulb  by pressing in  and 
1 turning % turn counterclockwise. 
7. Line up  the small  retainer  bumps  on 
the  replacement bulb 
so that  the 
1 lower bump  slides  into  the  deepest 
' slot in  the  housing.  Press in  and  twist 
the  bulb 
!4 turn  clockwise. Reposition 
the  bulb assembly in  the taillight 
housing.  Turn  the  assembly 
M turn 
clockwise  to lock  in place. 
' 8. Replace  the  entire  taillight housing 
and  screws. 
9. Attach  the spring  clips to  the 
taillight  housing  and  secure  them. 
liftgate. 
signals  and taillights. 
IO. Close  the  rear  side windows  and 
11. Test the bulbs  by using your  turn 
Windshield  Wiper  Blade 
Replacement 
Replacement blades  for your vehicle  are 
24 inches in length. They come in 
different types  and  are removed  in 
different  ways. Here's  how to remove 
the  type  with  a  release clip: 
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away 
from  the windshield. 
2. Lift  the release  clip with  a 
screwdriver  and pull  the blade 
assembly  off the  wiper arm. 
the  wiper  arm. 
3. Push the new  wiper blade securely  on 
205 
ProCarManuals.com 

1 I Glass 
’ Glass should  be cleaned  often. GM 
~ Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427) 
or  a liquid  household  glass cleaner  will 
remove normal tobacco  smoke  and  dust 
films. 
Don’t  use  abrasive cleaners  on glass, 
’ because  thejr  may  cause  scratches. 
Avoid  placing decals  on  the inside rear 
window, since they  may have  to be 
scraped  off later. 
If abrasive cleaners  are 
used  on  the  inside  of the  rear window, 
~ an electric  defogger  element may be 
~ damaged.  Any temporary  license should 
not  be attached  across  the defogger 
grid. 
Cleaning  the  Outside of the 
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 or 
other  material  may be 
on the blade  or 
windshield.  Clean 
the  outside 
of the windshield 
with  GM Windshield  Cleaner, Bon-Ami 
Powder@ 
(GM Part No. l050011). The 
windshield  is clean 
if beads  do  not  form 
when  you rinse  it with  water. 
Clean  the blade  by wiping  vigorously 
with  a cloth soaked  in 
full strength 
windshield  washer  solvent.  Then  rinse 
the  blade  with  water. 
Wiper  blades  should  be checked  on  a 
regular basis  and replaced when  worn. 
I Cleaning  the  Outside of Your 
Oldsmobile 
The  paint  finish on your vehicle 
provides  beauty,  depth  of color,  gloss 
retention  and  durability. 
Washing Your Vehicle 
The best  way  to preserve your vehicle‘s 
finish  is to  keep  it clean  by washing  it 
often with lukewarm or  cold water. 
Don’t  wash your vehicle in  the direct 
rays  of the  sun.  Don’t use strong  soaps 
or  chemical  detergents.  Use liquid  hand, 
dish 
or car washing  (mild  detergent) 
soaps.  Don’t  use cleaning agents that 
contain  acid or abrasives.  All cleaning 
agents should  be flushed promptly  and 
not  allowed  to dry  on the  surface,  or 
they could  stain. Dry the finish with  a 
soft,  clean chamois  or  a 
100*/0 cotton 
towel  to avoid  surface  scratches  and 
water  spotting. 
High  pressure  vehicle washes  may 
cause  water  to  enter  your vehicle. 
215 
ProCarManuals.com 

264 
Things  Under the Hood ................ 186 
Transaxle  Fluid 
.............................. 195 
Chemical  Paint Spotting 
.................. 217 
Child  Restraints 
.................................. 35 
How  to Install 
.................................. 35 
Where  to Put 
.................................... 36 
Children  and Safety  Belts 
............ 34. 39 
Child  Security  Lock 
............................ 55 
Circuit  BrealtedRelay  Panel ............ 222 
Circuit  Breakers 
& Fuses ................. 219 
City  Driving 
...................................... 145 
Cleaner,  Air 
.............................. 194, 226 
Cleaning  Aluminum  Wheels 
......................... 216 
Compact  Discs 
............................... 129 
Fabric 
..................................... 213, 214 
Finish  Care 
..................................... 216 
Foreign  Material 
............................ 2  16 
Glass 
.............................................. 215 
Inside  of Your  Oldsmobile 
............ 212 
Leather and  Vinyl 
.......................... 214 
Outside 
of the  Windshield  and Wiper 
Blades 
............................................. 215 
Outside 
of Your Oldsmobile ......... 215 
Safety  Belts 
.................................... 214 
Special  Problems 
........................... 213 
Stains.  Removing 
........................... 213 
Cigarette  Lighter 
................................ 89 
Cassette  Tape  Player 
...................... 128 
Top  of the  Instrument  Panel 
......... 214 Underbody 
Maintenance 
............... 217 
Vinyl  or Leather 
............................. 214 
Warnings 
........................................ 2 12 
Weatherstrips 
................................. 216 
Windshield 
..................................... 215 
Climate  Control  System 
............ 11 1. 113 
Clock.  Setting  the 
............................. 117 
Cluster.  Instrument  Panel .................. 98 
Comfort  Controls 
............................. 11 1 
Air Conditioner .............................. 11 1 
Heater ............................................ 111 
Rear ................................................ 113 
Ventilation ..................................... 1 16 
(see 
Audio Systems ) 
Compact  Disc  Player 
Compact  Overhead  Console 
.............. 95 
Compact  Spare Tire 
......................... 178 
Compass  Display 
................................ 81 
Console,  Overhead ............................. 79 
Control 
of a  Vehicle ......................... 134 
Convenience  Net 
................................ 91 
Convex  Outside  Mirror 
...................... 87 
Coolant ............................................. 197 
Checking 
& Adding ....................... 198 
Proper  Mixture  to Use 
............ 168, 197 
Safety  Warnings  About 
.................. 167, 168, 169, 198 
Temperature  Gage 
......................... 103 
Cruise  Control 
.................................... 72 
Cup  Holder/Ashtray,  Front 
............... 89 Curves.  Driving 
on 
........................... 138 
Customer  Assistance  Information 
... 249 
Dead  Battery:  What  to 
Do ............. 158 
Defensive  Driving 
............................ 132 
Defogger.  Rear  Window 
................... 115 
Defogging  and Defrosting 
................ 115 
Delco  LOC  II@ 
................................. 126 
Dome  Lights 
....................................... 84 
Door  Locks 
............................. 45.  46. 52 
Door.  Power  Sliding ................... 52.  107 
Door.  Sliding 
...................................... 51 
Driver  Position 
................................... 22 
Driving  At  Night 
......................................... 142 
City 
................................................. 145 
Controlling  a Skid 
......................... 141 
Defensively 
.................................... 132 
Drunlten 
......................................... 132 
Freeway 
.......................................... 145 
Hill  and  Mountain 
......................... 147 
In a Foreign  Country ..................... 184 
In  Rain 
........................................... 143 
Long  Distance 
................................ 146 
Loss 
of Control .............................. 141 
On  Curves 
...................................... 138 
Passing ........................................... 140 
Through  Deep  Standing Water 
....... 60 
Winter  Driving 
............................... 148 
With  a Trailer 
................................. 151 
ProCarManuals.com 

Index 
I 
270 
Cruise Control ................................. 72 
Headlight  High-Low  Beam 
Changer 
......................................... 75 
Turn  and  Lane Change  Indicator.. 
.... 71 
Turn  Signal  Indicator 
......................... 71 
Underhood  Light 
........................... 190 
Unleaded  Gasoline 
........................... 183 
Upholstery  Care 
....................... 213, 214 
Urban  Driving 
.................................. 145 
Vehicle  Identification  Number 
(VIN) 
............................................. 218 
Vehicle  Storage 
................................ 203 
Ventilation.. 
...................................... 116 
VIN 
................................................... 218 
Visor  Vanity  Mirror 
............................ 88 
Voltmeter .......................................... 103 
Vehicle  Loading 
......................... 92, 
206  Warning 
Flashers, Hazard 
............. 158 
Warning  Lights  Anti-Lock  Bralte  System 
............... 104 
Bralte 
.............................................. 103 
Liftgate  Ajar 
............................. 57,  107 
Low  Fuel 
........................................ 101 
Service  Engine  Soon 
...................... 106 
Sliding  Door  Ajar 
.................... 53, 107 
Warning,  Used  Oil 
............................ 194 
Washer,  Windshield 
........................... 78 
Weatherstrips 
................................... 216 
Weight  Gross  Axle  Weight  Rating 
Gross  Vehicle  Weight  Rating 
(GAWR) 
...................................... 206 
(GVWR) 
...................................... 206 
Wheel  Alignment  and Tire 
Balance.. 
......................................... 2 11 
Wheel  Nuts ....................................... 174 Wheel 
Nut Torque 
................... 177, 225 
Wheel  Replacement 
.......................... 211 
Windows 
............................................. 69 
Windows,  Power 
........................ 70, 223 
Windshield  Washer 
............................ 78 
Fluid ....................................... 200,  227 
Windshield  Wipers 
..................... 77, 223 
Blade  Replacement 
........................ 205 
Cleaning  the Outside 
of the 
Windshield  and Wiper  Blades 
....... 215 
Pulse  Delay 
...................................... 77 
Re .................................................... 79 
Winter  Driving 
................................. 148 
If  You’re  Caught  in a  Blizzard 
...... 149 
If  Your  Vehicle  is  Stuck in 
Deep  Snow 
.......................... 149, 179 
Snow  or  Ice,  Driving  On 
............... 148 
Wipermasher,  Rear  Window 
............ 79 
Wrecker  Towing 
............................... 162 
1 
I 
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