Page 174 of 353
To tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,
follow these steps:
7 ---
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the following fuses from the left side
instrument panel fuse block:
A) Radio, B) Wiper,
H) Powertrain Control Module and K) Body
Function Control Module, Cluster. This will
prevent your battery
form draining while towing.
See “Instrument Panel Fusle Block-Left” in
Section
6 for location of the fuses.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACC.
6. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember
to replace the fuse once you reach your
destination. To replace the fuse:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Replace the fuse.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
55 mph (90 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.
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Page 184 of 353

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a
hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
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Page 191 of 353

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Oldsmobile, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put the
transaxle in
PARK (P).
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn
off all
lamps that aren’t needed, as well as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
In
addition, it could save your radio.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
I
NOTICE:
Do not leave your radio on while trying to jump
start your vehicle. The radio could be badly
damaged and the repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. Be sure to turn
off your radio
before following this procedure.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
I
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5-4
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Page 208 of 353
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn
on your hazard
warning flashers.
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can dip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. lhrn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
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Page 279 of 353
Fuse
Mini-Fuses
39)
40)
41)
42)
43)
44)
Usage
Powertrain Control
Module, Ignition
Anti-Lock Brakes
Ignition System
Back-up Lamps, Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock
Horn
Powertrain Control Module
Parking
Lamps
Rear Defog, Daytime Running
Lamps, Climate Control System
Fuse
Mini-Fuses
47)
Usage
Canister Purge Valve, Powertrain
Control Module, Exhaust
Gas
Recirculation, Heated 02 Sensor
Fuel Pump, Injectors Generator
Right-Hand Headlamp
Left-Hand Headlamp
Cooling
Fan
WAC Blower (Climate Control )
Fuse Puller for Mini-Fuses
Tach Test Point for
Diagnostic Testing
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Page 322 of 353

Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
When you are doing
this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
c I
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firrnly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake”
in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
3.
Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service. around
the vehicle.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firrnly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t
start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake,
‘uy to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs service.
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Page 323 of 353

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition key
to OFF in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to OFF only when the shift lever
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in
OFF.
is in PARK (P).
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK
(P)
MecT m .-,’ leck
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You
or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park on
a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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Page 324 of 353

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and servlces which should be
performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and fall). You should let your
GM retailer’s service
department or other
qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts
as well as open seams, holes, loose connections or other conditions
whch could cause a heat
build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace
as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace
any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual adjustment is required. You may need
to have your
brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or
conditions result
in frequent braking.
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