1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA Owners Manual

Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
0
0
0
For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinylbeather Cleaner
or equivalent product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into
the finish, it can
harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Wood Panels
Use a clean cloth moistened in warm, soapy water (use
mild dish washing soap). Dry the wood immediately
with a clean cloth.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash they might
not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
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 they 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield 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. 1050011). 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.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Aurora
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 are petroleum based, or
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% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Aurora by
hand may be necessary
to remove residue from the paint
finish.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your retailer. (See “Appearance Care and
Materials” in the Index.)
Your Aurora has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss
to the colored
basecoat. fdways use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may
dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc. can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years.
You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Aurora garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface
of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because
you could
damage
the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface
of these wheels.
ProCarManuals.com

Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care
to wipe off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage
the paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure
the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore, corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your retailer or other service outlets. Larger areas of finish
damage
can be corrected
in your retailer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect
on the underbody. If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the underbody\

with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
Dirt packed in closed areas of the frame should be
loosened before being flushed. Your retailer or an underbody
vehicle washing system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage can
take two
forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped discolorations, and
small irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Oldsmobile will repair, at no charge
to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged
by this fallout
condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
6-54
ProCarManuals.com

PART NUMBER I SIZE DESCRIPTION I USAGE I ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~
1050004 2.75 sq. ft. Chamois Shines vehicle without scratching
1050172
16 oz. (0.473 L) Tar and Road
Oil Remover Also removes old waxes and polishes
1050173
I 16 oz. (0.473~lp~Chrom~e~Cleaner and Polish I Removes rust and corrosion I
1050174 16 oz. (0.473 L) White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Removes soil
and black marks
1 05020 1 16 oz. (0.473 L) Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish Exterior cleaner and polish
1050214 32 oz. (0.946
L) Vinyl and Leather Cleaner Spot and stain removal
1050427 23
oz. (0.680 L) Glass Cleaner Cleans grease, grime and smoke film
1050429
6 lbs. (2.72 kg) Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner Cleans
vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
1051398* 8 oz. (0.237 L) Spot Lifter For cloth
1051515 32
oz. (0.946 L) Optikleen Windshield washer solvent and antifreeze
1052349 12
oz. (0.354 L) Lubriplate (White Grease) For hood, trunk, door hinges and latches
1052870 16 oz. (0.473 L) Wash and Wax Concentrate Exterior
wash
10529 18
8 oz. (0.237 L)
Armor All" Protector Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
1052929 16
oz. (0.473 L) Wheel Cleaner Spray on wheel cleaner
1052930
8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture Dry Spot Remover Attracts and absorbs
soils
12345002
16 oz. (0.473 L) Armor All" Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
I 12345725 I 12 oz. (0.354 L) I Silicone
Tire Shine I Shines tires I
* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products.
See your Maintenance Schedule for other products.
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
fi SAMPLE4UXTM072675 I I
ENGINE A96 f ASSEMBLY I
I CODE MODEL YEAR
This is the legal identifier for your Aurora. It appears on
a plate in the front corner
of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the underside of the spare tire
cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
6-56
ProCarManuals.com

Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
I NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Aurora
unless
you check with your retailer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working
as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Aurora, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Aurora’’ in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the wiring harness. An electrical overload will cause the
lamps to go on and
off, or in some cases to remain off.
If this happens, have your headlamp system checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internal
circuit breaker and a fuse in the fuse panel on the other
side of the instrument panel. If the motor overheats due
to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor
cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical
problem, have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed.
ProCarManuals.com

Maxifuse/Relay Center
It’s easy to check the fuses in this underhood relay
center. There are two locking
ms on either side of the
base of the cover. Reach down and unsnap each one by
pulling
the cover toward you, then pushing it away
while pulling up. Remove the cover.
The inside of the
cover has a chart that explains the features and controls
governed by each fuse and relay.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination
of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance
of damage
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band
is broken or melted, replace the
fuse. Be sure you replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the correct amp rating.
Two spare fuses are located below the fuse puller. You’ll
also find spare fuses in the slots labeled “Spare” in the
following charts.
There are three main fuse panels: the instrument panel
fuse block and two (driver’s side and passenger’s side)
rear compartment
fuse blocks.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This is located on the left side of the instrument panel.
To open
it, push the latch to the left, then pull, and the
door will open.
You’ll find a fuse puller clipped to the inside
of the
cover. Place the wide end of the fuse puller over the
plastic end
of the fuse. Squeeze the ends over the fuse
and pull
it out. To close the fuse door, press the door
closed and it will latch.
ProCarManuals.com