1997 Oldsmobile Aurora service

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with a release hole:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the windshield.
Tires
Your new Aurora comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Aurora Warranty booklet for details.
I
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of
too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
2. Insert a small screwdriver into the hole (A) and pull
the blade assembly off the wiper arm
(B).
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
For the proper windshield wiper blade length
and type, see
“Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts” in the Index.
6-44

When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires
are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear,
rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
“When
It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel
Replacement’’ later
in this section for more information. The purpose
of regular rotation
is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include
the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
6-46

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have
a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires
on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
6-48

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect
to these
grades, they must also conform
to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
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.
6-49

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, Aurora
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.
6-59

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
1.
a SAMPLE4UXVM072675
This is the legal identifier for your Aurora. 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 Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the underside of the spare tire
cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label
is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
0 a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment.
6-61

Replacement Bulbs
OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB
Front
Front Turn Signal Lamps ............... .3 157NA
Halogen Headlamps
Low Beam
............................ 9006
HighBeam
........................... 9005
Rear
Back-up Lamps ......................... 3 155
Stop/Taillamps
.......................... 3057
Rear
Turn Signal Lamps .................. 3057
INSIDE LAMPS BULB
Overhead
Front Overhead Lamps .................... 168
Rail Courtesy/Reading Lamps
............... 168
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
Aurora retailer service department.
6-72

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Aurora. 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 7-39
7-39
7-39
7-40
7-40
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
7-43
7-43
7-43
7-43
7-43
7-43
7-44
7-46 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Exhaust System Inspection
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Brake System Inspection
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-1