1997 Oldsmobile Achieva service

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling
one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
6-45

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 car 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

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
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i
bl SAMPLE4UXVM072675 kd I1
This is the legal identifier for your Oldsmobile. 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 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts T -entification Label
You’ll find this label on the bottom of your spare. tire
cover. It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts.
On this label
is:
0 your VIN,
0 the model designation,
0 paint information and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label
is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE: --
Don’t add anything electrical to your Oldsmobile
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 Oldsmobile, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Oldsmobile”
in the Index.

Fuse
PWR ST
RDO IGN HTR-A/C
CRUISE
TAIL LPS
LTR
WIPER
02
DR UNLK
ALARM
Usage
Power Seat
Radio
Heater/Air Conditioning Blower,
Daytime Running Lamps, Automatic
Lamp Control
Cruise Control
Parking Lamps, Taillamps,
Sidemarker Lamps, License Lamps,
Instrument Panel Lights, Underhood
Lamp, Headlamp Warning Alarm
Cigarette Lighter, Auxiliary
Power Outlet
Windshield Wipers/Washers
Heated Oxygen Sensors
Automatic Door Unlock
Automatic Transaxle, Automatic Door
Unlock, Alarm Module (Illuminated
Entry, Warning Chimes), Traction
Telltale, Rear Window Defogger,
Remote Lock Control
Fuse
FOG/FTP
PRNDL
DR LK
2
AIR BAG
HORN
INST STOP HAZ
PCM
DR LK
1
INST LPS
RR DEF
HDLP
Usage
Fog Lamps
Instrument Cluster, Powertrain
Computer, Park-Lock Solenoid,
Electronic PRNDL
Door Locks
Air Bag-Power Horn, Service Tool Power
Instrument Cluster
Stoplamps, Hazard Lamps,
Anti-Lock Brakes
Powertrain Control Module
Door Locks, Remote Lock Control
Instrument Panel Lights, Fog Lamps
Rear Window Defogger
Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps (Circuit Breaker)

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Oldsmobile. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3 7-4
7-4 7-4
7-4
1
7-4 1
7-4 1
7-42
7-42 Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting the Right Schedule
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Fill
At Least Once a Month
At Least Twice a Year
At Least Once a Year 7-45
7-45
Part
C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
7-45 Exhaust System Inspection
7-45 Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
7-45 Throttle Linkage Inspection
7-46 Brake System Inspection
7-46 Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection
7-47 Part
D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-49
7-1

How ~ ~ 1 Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your retailer’s service department or another
qualified service center do these jobs.
Performing maintenance work on
a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the
job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work. “Part
B: Owner Checks and Services”
tells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what you
can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that your Oldsmobile retailer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products
GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
(‘Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be sure to write
it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications’’
in the Index.
7-3

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because
of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive.
If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your Oldsmobile retailer.
This part tells
you the maintenance services you should
have done
and when you should schedule them. If you
go
to your retailer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine
GM parts. The proper fluids and lubricants to use
are listed in Part D.
Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these.
All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs done before you
or anyone else drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
driving
limits.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
7-4.
. ._

Maintenance Schedule
[ Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips
are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this sch.edule if
you operate your vehicle under any
of these conditions
is
that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
I i
I Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Change
(or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule
on tlze,following pages.
Drive Belt Inspection.
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).