A CAUTIOh:
- -
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you.
You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base
of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open
a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s
away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out. Run
your engine
only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push
the accelerator slightly. This
uses less
fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it
as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and
do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
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Driving with a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
a
a
a
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through
a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because.it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
L
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 yaurself 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.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for
a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) or
THIRD
(3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, push the accelerator until
the engine speed is about twice as fast as normal idle
speed. Bring the engine speed back to normal idle speed
after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning,
turn off the
engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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Checking Brake Fluid What
to Add
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at
the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the levels are above MIN and below the
top of
each window. When
you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may nott work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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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:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can
all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t use
any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with
a clean, damp cloth.
Your Oldsmobile retailer has two
GM cleaners, a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
0 Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
0 Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
only. If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
area immediately
or it will set.
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Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
I
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield,
Backglass and
Wiper Blades
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. 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. 10500 1 I ). 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.)
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Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by an internal circuit
breaker. 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 wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and
a fuse. 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, be
sure
to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers 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 or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by
a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires 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 identical size and rating.
lr you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace
it as soon as you can.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse block is at the
driver’s end of the
instrument panel.
Remove the cover by turning
the fastener
counterclockwise. Extra fuses and the fuse extractor are
provided in the cover.
To reinstall the fuse panel cover,
push
in and turn the fastener clockwise.
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Fuse/Circuit Usage Breaker
6 Blower Motor, Temperature Door
Motor, HI Blower Relay Coil
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Power Auxiliary Outlets, Assembly
Line Diagnostic Link
Rear Window Defogger
PCM/VCM Battery, ABS Battery
PCM/VCM Ignition, Injectors, Crank
Sensor, Coil Driver Module
Radio, Inside Rearview Mirror Map
Lamp, Overhead Console Reading
Lamps, Rear Wiper, Rear Washer,
Overhead Console Display
DRAC, Anti-Lock Braking System,
Clock, Radio, Battery,
CD Player
A/C Compressor Battery Feed
Daytime Running Lamps,
Fog Lamps,
Fog Lamp Relay
VCM
IGN-3
FuseKircuit Usage
Breaker
16
17
19
20
21
22
24
Turn Signals and Back-up Lamps,
Brake-Transmission Shift
Interlock Solenoid
Windshield Washer, Windshield
Wiper Motor
Not Used
Crank Signal, Air Bag System
Cluster Illumination, Radio
Illumination, Heater Lamp, Chime
Module,
Fog Lamp Illumination,
Rear Wiper Switch, Rear Defog
Switch Illumination, Liftglass Release
Switch Illumination, Overhead
Console Illumination
Air Bag System
PRNDL Power, 4L60E Automatic
Transmission
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