1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE ECU

Driving with a Trailer
A -CAUTION:
I
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:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting
on your trip.
0 Keep the rear-most windows closed.
0 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
RECIRC because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
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.
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1 CAUTION: I
‘1‘0 help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
Never get under your vehicle after it has
Always use separate safety chains on each
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
fully secured.
been lifted by the tow truck.
side when towing
a vehicle.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
in the OFF position. The steering wheel should be
clamped
in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock
for this. The transaxle
should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
A vehicle can fall from a car-carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
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Attach T-hook chains on both sides, in the slotted holes
in the bottom
of the frame rails behind the front wheels.
These slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car-carrier equipment. Attach
a separate safety chain around the outboard end
of each control arm.
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Rear 'low1
TOW Limits 55 mph (88 kwdh.) -- 500 miles (800 km)
////I I
Attach T-hook chains on both sides, in the slotted holes
in the frame rails, just ahead of the rear wheels.
lnese slots are
to be used when using sling type
equipment or when loading and securing to
car-carrier equipment.
I
Position the lower sling crossbar directly under the
rear bumper.
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Checking or Replacing the Air Cleaner
1. Loosen the four wing nuts.
2. Pull the top of the air cleaner toward the fro t of the
vehicle and remove the air cleaner filter.
P
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter, replace the
cover and tighten the wing nuts securely.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 krn) if the vehicle is mainly dnven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (3 2 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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License Plate Lamp
1. Remove the two screws from the lamp lens.
2. Remove the lamp lens from the liftgate.
3. Twist the lamp socket counterclockwise to remove it
4. Replace with the new bulb and twist the lamp socket
5. Replace the lamp lens in the liftgate and tighten
from
the lamp
lens.
clockwise in the lamp lens.
with screws.
Back-up Lamp
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Remove the license plate.
Unscrew the two bolts and pull the housing away
from the tailgate.
Remove the bulb from the lamp socket.
Replace with the new bulb and twist the lamp socket
clockwise in the lamp assembly.
Reinstall the entire back-up lamp housing and secure
with the screws.
Replace the license plate.
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Cen r mgn-lvlo tted Stoplar----
1. Remove the two screws from the lamp assembly.
2. Pull the assembly out and away from the liftgate.
3. Remove the bulbs from the lamp socket.
4. Reinstall the lamp assembly into the liftgate and
secure with the screws.
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8. Replace the entire taillamp housing and screws. Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
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.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section,
contact your Oldsmobile retailer service department. Replacement blades for
your vehicle are
24 inches
(61 cm) 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
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
blade assembly off the wiper arm.
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