1997 Oldsmobile Aurora steering wheel

Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right wheels have
dropped off the edge of a road onto
the shoulder while
you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulder is
only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn
until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge.
Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down
the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again.
A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since
the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment,
or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents
-- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.’’ Look down the road, to the sides and to
crossroads for situations that might affect your passing
patterns.
If you have any doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and lines.
If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a
turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid
line on your side of the lane or a double solid line,
even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.

Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying
to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The
three types of skids correspond to your Aurora’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In
the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If
your traction control system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always
be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, Ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want
to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface’’
-- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-15

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. When
your vehicle
is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to
OFF. 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.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels, unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have
to be supported on a dolly.
5-10

5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is tight.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer
to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
5-23

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
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.
I ,A CAUTION: I
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 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
I 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.
You should turn
your traction control system off. (See “Traction Control
System”
in the Index.) Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, 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.
5-35

Checking Things Under the Hood
I k!, CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any
underhood electric fan.
1
I
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic
or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
The following sections tell you how
to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts underhood. Hood Release
To open the hood,
first pull
the
hood release handle
inside the vehicle, located
to
the left of the steering wheel
under the instrument panel.
6-8

Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. rlease refer to “Recommended
Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle (Overdrive)
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement ........................................... 6.5 quarts (6.0 L)
After Complete Overhaul ................................................. 10 quarts (9.5 L)
When pe~orming either transaxle procedure, check fluid level when done. More fluid may be needed.
Cooling System ....................................................... 13 quarts (12.0 L)
Engine Crankcase ...................................................... 7 quarts (6.6 L)
When changing filter, up to 0.5 quart (0.5 L) more oil may be needed.
Fuel Tank ......................................................... 19.4 gallons (73.4 L)
Windshield Washer
Fluid Tanks
...................................................... 3.8 quarts (3.6 L)
Power Steering
Pump Only ............................................................... 1 pint (0.5 L)
Complete System ....................................................... 1.5 pints (0.7 L)
Tire Pressures, Sizes ................................................... See Tire-Loading
Information label on driver’s door.
Wheel Nut Torque .................................................. 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Refrigerant (R-l34a),
Air Conditioning
........................................... See refrigerant charge label
under the hood.
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fd to the appropriate level as recommended in this manual.
6-73

Index @ Section 9
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-59
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-23
How it Works
................................ 1-21
Location
.................................... 1-21
Readiness Light
......................... 1-20, 2-69
Servicing
................................... 1-25
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-23
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-23
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-22
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-6
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-74
Air Control, Climate Control System
............. 3-3, 3-5
Alarm, Universal Theft-Deterrent
.................. 2- 17
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-50
Aluminum or Chrome Wheels, Cleaning
............. 6-58
Antenna, Power
................................ 3-31
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-21
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-72, 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Lockout Feature
............................ 2-8
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-25
Appearance Care
............................... 6-52
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-60
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-7
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-57 Audio Controls. Steering
Wheel
................... 3-28
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-29
Audio Systems
................................. 3-11
Automatic DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Electronic Climate Control
...................... 3-2
Overdrive
................................... 2-27
Check
...................................... 7-40
Fluid
....................................... 6-18
Operation
................................... 2-25
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-42
Auto-Push Knob. Climate Control
.................. 3-2
Averagespeed
................................. 2-82
Automatic Transaxle
Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement
............... 6-41
Battery
....................................... 6-32
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Saver
...................................... 2-50
Warning Light
............................... 2-70
Warnings
................................ 5-3. 5-5
Battery Voltage Message
......................... 2-82
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Belt. Engine Accessory
.......................... 6-75
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Blizzard
...................................... 4-28
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
.............. 2-13
9-1