
Driving on Snow or ,Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very
careful.
Include an
ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
4-23

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes‘!
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes,
do not try
to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you
do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want
to get
to know
your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now
a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check
the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
4-35

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. Turn the center retainer nut on the compact spare tire
housing counterclockwise to remove it, then lift the
tire cover.
You will find the jacking instructions label
on the underside of the tire cover.
2. Remove the wing bolt securing the compact spare
tire and spacer by turning it counterclockwise. Then
lift
off the spacer and remove the spare tire.
3. The jack and wheel wrench are stored in a foam tray
by the compact spare tire.
4. Using the wheel wrench, remove the wheel nut caps
(if your vehicle has them) and loosen all the wheel
nuts. Don’t remove them yet. On some models, a
cover plate must be removed to find the wheel nuts.
Carefully use the wedge end of the wheel wrench to
pry it
off.
5-21

13. Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire
compartment, and
secure with the wing bolt and
extension. Store the jack and wheel wrench back in
the foam tray provided.
5-26

3. Wiggle the bulb out of the socket.
4. Replace the bulb.
5. Reverse the steps to reassemble the taillamp.
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement
If you have fog lamps, don’t change your fog lamp
bulbs unless you have the proper aiming equipment.
See your Oldsmobile retailer
if you have any further
questions.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades 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.
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
6-32

Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your Oldsmobile has P195/65R15 or
P205/55R16 size tires, don’t use tire chains; they
can damage your vehicle.
If you have other tires, 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 or spinning
the wheels 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 cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can
all be hazardous -- some more than others -- and
they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-41
-

Power Steering Fluid ......................... 6-24
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-47
Starter Switch
............................... 7-37
Steering Column Lock
........................ 7-38
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-7
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-48
Child Restraints
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
.......... 1-35
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
......... 1-37
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-39
TopStrap
................................... 1-35
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-52
Circuit Breaker. Power Windows
and Other Power Options
....................... 6-53
WheretoPut
................................ 1-34
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Fabric
..................................... 6-42
Glass
...................................... 6-45
Leather
.................................... 6-44
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels
........................... 6-47
Outside
of the Windshield and Wiper Blades ....... 6-45
Special Problems
............................ 6-43
Stains
...................................... 6-43
The Inside of Your Oldsmobile
.................. 6-42
The Outside
of Your Oldsmobile ................ 6-46
Tires
...................................... 6-47
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-44
Climate Control
................................. 3-1
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-5
Clutch Adjustment .............................. 6-21
Vinyl
...................................... 6-44 Clutch.
Hydraulic
............................... 6-21
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-10
Compact Disc Player Care
........................ 3-16
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-27
Console Cup/ Coin Holder
........................ 2-50
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-5
Control. Loss of ................................ 4-12
Convenience Net
............................... 2-10
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-47
Coolant Heater. Engine
..................... 2- 17, 6- 15
Coolant Level Warning Light ...................... 2-65
Coolant Surge Tank
........................ 5- 15, 6-21
Coolant Temperature Gage
....................... 2-64
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
................ 2-64
Coolant. How to Add to the Coolant Surge Tank
...... 5-15
Cooling System ................................ 5-14
Cruise Control
Erasing Speed Memory
........................ 2-43
Getting Out
of ............................... 2-43
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
............ 2-42
To Increase Speed
............................ 2-42
To Resume a Set Speed
........................ 2-41
Coolant
....................................... 6-21
ToReduceSpeed
............................ 2-42
ToSet
..................................... 2-40
UseonHills
................................ 2-42
Cupholder. RearSeat
............................ 2-50
Cupholder, Glove
Box
........................... 2-49
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired
8-2
Customer Assistance Information ................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-1
9-3

Lighter ....................................... 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle
............................ 4-29
Locks Automatic Door
.............................. 2-4
Door
....................................... 2-3
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Rear Door Security
............................ 2-5
Steering Column
............................. 7-38
Window
.................................... 2-32
Lockout Feature, Trunk
........................... 2-9
Long Trip, Before Leaving on a
.................... 4- 19
Loss of Control
................................ 4- 12
Low Coolant Level Warning Light
................. 2-65
Low Maintenance Battery
........................ 6-28
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.................. 2-70
Lubricants and Fluids
......................... 7-41, 42
Lubrication, Body
.............................. 7-37
TIIUI~
....................................... 2-9
Maintenance Record
........................... 7-43
Maintenance Schedule Owner
Checks and Services .................... 7-36
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
............... 7-40
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
......... 7.41. 42
Schedule
I Definition .......................... 7-4
Schedule
II Definition .......................... 7-5
Scheduled Maintenance Services
................. 7-2
Maintenance, Normal Replacement
Parts ............ 6-57
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-48
Maintenance. When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Schedule1
................................... 7-6
ScheduleII
................................. 7-26 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon)
.... 2-65
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Adjustable Seat (Four-Way) ................. 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-48
Manual Transaxle
FifthGear(5)
............................... 2-24
First Gear
(1) ................................ 2-23
FourthGear(4)
.............................. 2-24
Neutral (N) Position
.......................... 2-24
Parking Your Vehicle
......................... 2-29
Reverse
(R) Position .......................... 2-24
Shift Light
.................................. 2-24
SecondGear(2)
............................. 2-24
Shiftspeeds
................................ 2-25
Shifting
.................................... 2-23
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-15
Third Gear (3)
............................... 2-24
Methanol
(In Fuel) ............................... 6-3
Mirrors
Convex Outside
............................. 2-47
Inside Daymight Rearview
.................... 2-47
Manual Remote Control
....................... 2-48
Power Remote Control
........................ 2-48
Visor Vanity
................................ 2-48
MTBE(InFue1)
................................. 6-3
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2. IO
Neutral (N) Position. Automatic Transaxle ........... 2-20
Neutral (N) Position. Manual Transaxle
............. 2-24
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-12
Nightvision
................................... 4-13
9-7