1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manuals

11. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence, as shown.
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Incorrect wheel nuts
or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to 100 lb-ft
(140 N-m). Don’t
try to put
a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut
caps in the
trunk until you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
I I
I NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put
a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
5-29

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury.
In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the
adapter, extension (aluminum wheels only) and wing
bolt. Store the jack and wheel wrench
in the foam tray.
B I
A. Wrench E. Extension (Aluminum
B. Jack
C. Flat Road Tire
D. Adapter wheels only)
E Wing Bolt
G. Cover
H. Nut
5-30

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop
or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you
can. See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index. See the
storage instructions label to replace your compact spare
into your trunk properly.
B
A. Wrench E. Wing Bolt
B. Jack E Cover
C. Spare Tire
G. Nut
D. Adapter
5-31

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new,
it can lose air after a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi
(420 Wa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your spare
tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to
perform well at speeds up
to 65 mph (105 km/h) for
distances up to
3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can finish
your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want.
Of course, it’s best to replace your spare
with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. Your spare will
last longer and be in good shape in case
you need
it again.
NOTICE:
I
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts
of your vehicle. Don’t use your compact
spare
on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage
your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your
compact spare.
5-32

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution. is
If you
let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 kdh) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels.
If your vehicle
has the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn
the system off. (See “Enhanced Traction System”
in the Index.) Then
shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual
transaxle, between F’IRST
(1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transaxle is in gear. If that doesn’t get you out after
a
few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do
need to be towed out, see “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.

5-34

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Oldsmobile. This section begins with service and fuel
information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about your vehicle, and a part devoted
to its appearance care.
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-8
6- 12
6-18 6-
19
6-22
6-23
6-24
6-28
6-28
6-28 6-29
6-30
6-35
6-35 Fuel
Fuels
in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the
Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Manual Transaxle Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery Bulb Replacement 6-40
6-48
6-49
6-5
1
6-52
6-54
6-55
6-56
6-56
6-6 1
6-62 6-62
6-63
6-63
6-1
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside
of
Your Oldsmobile
Cleaning Tires
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Dimensions

Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work,
you’ll want to get the proper Oldsmobile Service
Manual.
It tells you much more about how to service
your Oldsmobile than this manual can.
To order the
proper service manual, see “Service and Owner Your
vehicle
has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Oldsmobile” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.
C A “TION:
-I
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged
if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
0 Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
0 Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall
off. You could be hurt.
6-2
I