1995 Oldsrnobile Silhouette Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems .......................................................... 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Oldsmobile.\
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..............
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and audio system.
Your Driving and the Road .......................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the
conditions.
Problems on the Road ...........................
.................................... 3-1
comfort controls and how to operate your-
.................................... 4-1
road and how to drive under different
.................................... 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care.. ....................................................... 6-1
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Oldsmobile running \
properly and looking good.
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information ..................................................... 8-1
This section tells you how
to contact Oldsmobile for assistancc and how to get service publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page
8-4.
Index ........................................................................\
..... 9-1
Here‘s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
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could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to
do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer whe
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load. els.
Parking on Hills
You really should
not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK
(P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is cl
ear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that
all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Air Cleaner
The air cleaner for the 3.1L V6 engine is circular in
shape and is located toward the back of the engine
compartment, near the center.
The air cleaner for the 3800 V6 engine is located at the
front
of the engine compartment (on the driver’s side of
the vehicle), to the left of the windshield washer fluid
reservoir.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when to
replace the air filter and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’
in the Index.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which
will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
The automatic transaxle fluid dipstick for the 3.1 L V6
engine is located near the center of the engine
compartment, to the left
of the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. The dipstick for
the 3800 V6 engine is located
toward the back
of the engine Compartment, near the
center. The dipstick handle (for both engines) has
a
bright, red loop design for easier identification.
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Oldsmobile retailer
Service Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or
you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get
an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C).
If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C), you may have
to drive longer.
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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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1 Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT.
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This section covers the maintenance required for your
Oldsmobile.
Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
I mm
I
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance
or the
removal
of important components can significantly
affect
the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or even the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to help keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
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How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what
to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your retailer’s service department or another
qualified service center do these jobs.
If you are skilled enough
to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. You will find a list of
publications and how to get them in this manual. See
“Service Publications”
in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you what
should be checked whenever
you stop for fuel. It also
explains what you can easily do to help keep your
vehicle in good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that your Oldsmobile retailer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products
GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record’’ provides a place for
you
to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance
is performed, be
sure to write it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition, it
is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
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Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive
it to work, run errands or use it in many
other ways.
Because of all
the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules
in this section. So please read this
section and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how
to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your Oldsmobile retailer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your retailer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts. The
proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed
in
Part 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.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Certification/Tire label. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended unleaded fuel. See “Fuel” in
the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
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