1995 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

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 retailer 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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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.
Battery
Every new Oldsmobile has a Delco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. When
it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedom@ battery. Get one that has
the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. The
battery is located in the front, driver’s side corner
of the
engine compartment, just below
the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take off the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down.
Contact your retailer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Jump Starting
For jump starting instructions, see “Jump Starting” in
the Index.
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Halogen bulbs Headlamp Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the
Index.
1. Remove the two black knobs.
2. Tilt the bulb housing forward.
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t- 1 1
3. Twist the L-shaped bulb assembly counterclockwise
1/6 turn until the flanges align with the slots in the
retainer ring.
4. Pull out the bulb assembly.
5. Disconnect the bulb wiring harness from the bulb
assembly by lifting
the plastic locking tab.
6. Snap a new bulb assembly onto the wiring harness.
7. Replace the bulb assembly by reversing step 3.
8. Replace the bulb housing and the two black knobs.
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the
Index.
1. Open the rear side windows and liftgate.
2. Remove the two screws from the taillamp housing.
3. Undo the spring clips under the weatherstrip at the
rear
of the side window.
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4.
5.
6.
Pull off the entire taillamp housing.
Pinch the lever and twist the bulb assembly
116 turn
counterclockwise to remove.
Remove the bulb by pressing in and turning 1/8 turn
counterclockwise.
Line up the small retainer bumps on the replacement
bulb
so that the lower bump slides into the deepest
slot in the housing. Press in and twist the bulb 1/8 turn clockwise. Reposition
the bulb assembly in
the taillamp housing.
Turn the assembly 116 turn
clockwise to lock in place.
8. Replace the entire taillamp housing and screws.
9. Attach the spring clips to the taillamp housing and
secure them.
10. Close the rear side windows and liftgate.
11. Test the bulbs by using your turn signals and
taillamps.
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Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires
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.
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
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Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Certificatioflire label which is on the rear edge of
the driver’s door shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold” means your
vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough
air (underinflation) you can
get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When
to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 Pa).
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How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the
pressure, especially if you have radial tires
-- which
may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(1 0 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear. If
unusual wear is present, rotate your tires as soon as
possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See “When it’s Time for New
Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals. When
rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire
rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on
the
Certificatioflire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
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