1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE service

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones,
as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is importunt.for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuelfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix
if necessary. See “Engine Coolant’’ in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-37
ProCarManuals.com

At Least Twice a Year At Least Once a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. If your vehicle has a built-in child
restraint, also periodically make sure the harness straps,
latch plates, buckle, clip, child head restraint and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint
system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a
safety belt or built-in child restraint system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety
belts
or harness straps replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle”
in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, including the liftgate.
Also lubricate all hinges and latches, including those for
the hood, power sliding door cable, rear compartment,
glove box door, console door, and any folding seat
hardware. Part
D tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed
to a corrosive
environment.
7-38
ProCarManuals.com

Starter Switch Check
A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
I. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly 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). 1.f
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
Irake-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.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
Firmly 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.
With the engine off, turn the
key to the RUN
position, but don’t start
the engine. Without
applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK
(P) with normal effort. If the shift
lever moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTST
needs service.
ProCarManuals.com

Steering Column Park Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is in PARK
(P).
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
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.
0 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.
7-40
ProCarManuals.com

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services 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 which 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.
7-41
ProCarManuals.com

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and
Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can
be added on
the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
7-45
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Record
ODOMETER READING SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
7-46
ProCarManuals.com

Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Oldsmobile if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain
service publications and how to report any safety defects.
8-2 8-3
8-4
8-4
8-5
8-5 8-6 Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer
Assistance Information
Address for Writing to Oldsmobile
Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Program
Phone Number for Roadside Assistance Oldsmobile Courtesy Transportation
BBB Autoline Information
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Reporting Safety Defects to Canada
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
Ordering Service Publications in Canada
How to Order Service Publications
Order Form for Service Publications
8-7
8-8
8-9
8-9
8-9
8-
10
8-11
8-1
ProCarManuals.com