1997 Oldsmobile Achieva light

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in
the Index.
Manual Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Manual Transaxle”
in the Index. Check for leaks. A fluid
loss may indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
A fluid loss may
indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid
loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, trunk lid,
glove box door and console door. Part
D tells you what
to use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-42

ORDER TOLL FREE
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holders Only)
(Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM EST)
FAX Orders Only 1-31 3-865-5927
1 -800-782-4356
Orders will be mailed within 10 days of receipt. Please allow ade uate time for postal
service.
If further Information is needed, wrlte to the address s a own below or call
1-800-782-4356. Material cannot be returned for credit without,packing slip with return
information withln 30 days of delivery. On returns, a re-stockma fee may be applied
against the original order.
1- -
PUBLICATION FORM
ITEM DESCRIPTION VEHIC QTY. EACH* PRICE TOTAL
NUMBER NAME YEAR PRICE
Service Manual 1997 $90.00
Car
& Light Truck
Transmission Unit Repair 1997 $40.00
Owner’s Manual In Portfolio 1997
$1 5.00
Owner’s Manual Without Portfolio
1997 $1 0.00
1
9
9
7
G
M
I
S
H
I
P
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name, and also the
name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent.
Mail completed order form
to:
For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the above address for quotation.
HELM,
INCORPORATED P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
(CUSTOMER’S NAME) (ATTENTION)
T
0
(STREET ADDRESS-NO P.O. BOX NUMBERS)
(CITY) (STATE) (ZIP CODE)
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NO.
0
AREA CODE
GM-OLD-ORD97 *(Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.)
P
A
Y
M
E
N
T
Check or Money
Order payable to
Helm, Inc.
(USA funds
only - do not send cash.)
0 Mastercard
0 VISA
Discover
Michigan Purchasers
add 6% sales tax
U.S. Order Processing
Canadian Postage
(See Note Below)
I
GRAND TOTAL
I
-
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in US. funds. Canadian residents
are to make checks payable in US. funds. To cover Canadian postage, add $11.50 plus the U.S. order processing.
Account
Number:
Expiration
m
Date mo/yr:
Check here if your billing address
is different from your shipping
address shown.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......... ....... 2-54
AirBag
..................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works
...... ... ............ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1-22, 2-6 1
Servicing
................................... 1-26
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-62
Alignment and Balance, Tire
... ................ 6-46
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
... .............. 6-53
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-24
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-63, 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-19
Appearancecare
............................... 6-48
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-55
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Armrest, Storage
............................... 2-51
Ashtrays
....... .. ................... 2-53 Audio Equipment. Adding
. . ...... 3-21
Audio Systems
........... ........... 3-6
Auto-Down Window
... ...... 2-34
Automatic DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Overdrive
................................... 2-23
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Transaxle
................................... 2-16
Transaxle Check
.................. ........ 7-42
Transaxle Fluid
............................... 6-19
Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
................ 7-44
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-21
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Backing up with a Trailer
..................... 4-40
Battery
..................................... 6-35
Charging System Indicator Light
. . .......... 2-62
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
............... 2-9
Saver
...................................... 2-48
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Blizzard
...................................... 4-28
9-1

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-34
Fluid
....................................... 6-30
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-30
Parking
..................................... 2-28
PedalTravel
................................. 6-34
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-34
System Warning Light
.................... 2-62. 6.31
Trailer
...................................... 4-39
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-43
Wear
....................................... 6-33
Brake System Warning Light
................. 2.62. 6.31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Bralung
in Emergencies .......................... 4-1 1
Break.In. New Vehicle .......................... 2- I3
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-46
BTSICheck
................................... 7-43
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-35
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-41
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3.9. 3. 13
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-22
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3- 11. 3.15
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3- 19
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-5 1
Center Console Storage Area ...................... 2-5 I
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-32
Certification Label
.............................. 4-33 Chains. Safety
................................. 4-39
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-47
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-66
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-71
CheckOilLight
................................ 2-70
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-47
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-54
Child Restraints
................................ 1-36
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-37
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-39
Securing
in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-41
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-41
WheretoPut
................................ 1-36
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-53
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-57
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning Alumlnum Wheels
............................ 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass
....................................... 6-51
Inside of Your Oldsmobile
...................... 6-48
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-50
Leather
..................................... 6-50
Outside of Your Oldsmobile
.................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-49
Stains
...................................... 6-49
Tires
....................................... 6-53
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Wheels
..................................... 6-53
Windshield
and Wiper Blades ................... 6-51
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
TopStrap
................................... 1-37
9-2

Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-6
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-23
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-23
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-13
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-32
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-23
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-52
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-50
Coolant Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 19
SurgeTank
.................................. 5-16
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6-28
Cooling System ................................ 5- 15
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
CruiseLight
................................... 2-71
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-4
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-54
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-54
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44
Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
DeadBattery ................................... 5-3
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-5
Defogging
..................................... 3-4
Defrosting
..................................... 3-4
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-63
Dolby@
€3 Noise Reduction ....................... 3-12
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
Driver Position
................................. 1-13
Driving City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway .................................... 4-22
In a Blizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
In the Rain
.................................. 4-18
Night
...................................... 4-16
On Curves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-40
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-27
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Through
Water
............................... 4-20

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17.2.18. 3.21. 6-56
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant ..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-65
Exhaust
................. 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-60
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Starting Your
...................... 2.16.247. 2.18
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Checking
................................... 6-13
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-69
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Enhanced Traction System Active Light ......... 2.65. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2.64. 4.10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
............ 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Warning
Light ............................ 2- . 4.9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-26
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5 Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-24
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-47
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-26
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
French Language Manual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-72
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-72
Speedometer
................................. 2-59
Tachometer .................................. 2-60
GarmentHook
................................. 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions. Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
GloveBox
.................................... 2-50
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-33
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-33
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
9-4

Latches. Seatback ................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-30
Lighter
....................................... 2-53
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.22. 2.6 1
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ............ 2.63. 4.7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2.62. 6.31
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-62
Check Engine
................................ 2-66
CheckOil
................................... 2-70
Cruise
...................................... 2-71
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
............... 2-69
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
....... 2.65. 4-9
ETS Warning .......................... 2- 64. 4. 10
Interior
..................................... 2-46
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-66
Low Washer
................................. 2-71
Passlock Warning
............................. 2-70
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.61
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-33
Lock-Out Switch
............................... 2-34
Automatic Door
............................... 2-5
Cylinders ................................... 7-42
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-42
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-44
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
CheckGages
................................ 2-71
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
.... 2.64. 4.10
Upshift
.................................... 2-71
Locks
......................................... 2-4 Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-66
Low Washer Light
.............................. 2-71
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-47
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-42
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-63
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-49
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Tripmighway Definition ................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Organization
.................................. 7-3
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-41
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-45
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-47
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-54
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-41
Making Turns
with a Trailer ...................... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-66
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support .......................... 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-49
ManualTransaxle
............................... 2-16
Shifting
..................................... 2-25
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Manual Transaxle Check
......................... 7-42
Manual Transaxle Fluid
.......................... 6-22
Methanol
...................................... 6-4

Mirrors ....................................... 2-49
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-50
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-49
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-49
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-50
Visorvanity
................................. 2-54
MountainRoads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-35
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-52
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-22
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
........................ 2-26
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2- 13
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Odometer
.................................... 2-59
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 13
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-12
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-41
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- IO
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-54
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-2 1
Shifting Into ................................. 2-29
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-31
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-28
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-44
Parking Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-32
With a Trailer
................................ 4-41
Your Vehicle. Manual Transaxle
................. 2-31
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-21
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Passing with a Trailer
............................ 4-39
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-70
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-45
Power Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-54
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses ................................ 6-57
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-50
Seat ......................................... 1-4
Steering .................................... 4-11
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-28
Windows
................................... 2-34
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-10
Radio Reception
.............................. 3-21
Radios ........................................ 3-6
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-18
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-47. 2-48
Rear Door Security Locks
........................... 2-6
. Safety Belt Comfort Guides ..................... 1-30
Seat Passengers .............................. 1-27
Window Defogger
............................. 3-5
Outside Seat Position .......................... 1-27
Towing ..................................... 5-11
~~ 9-7
..