1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE clock

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.
Your Oldsmobile
can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking
in
Emergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed
as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or
right depending
on the space available. An
emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn
it a full I80 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn
the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
until it
first stops. (Don’t press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there
is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
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1
STRAP
1 BRACKET
iOOLS VU JACKING INSTRUCTIONS
JACK & TOOL STORAGE
Remove the jack and jacking tools by loosening the
wing nut and bracket.
Separate the plastic pouch from the jack and remove the
jacking
tools (folding wrench and shaft) from the pouch.
HOIST SHAFT
HOIST
ASSEMBLY
EXTENSION
(CHISEL END)
SPARE TIRE
IS STORED UNDER REAR COMPARTMENT FLOOR (VALVE STEM DOWN)
The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle,
ahead
of the rear bumper. Insert the narrow end of the
shaft into the hole above
the rear bumper. Then attach
the folding wrench
to the shaft.
Rotate the folding wrench counterclockwise to lower
the compact spare tire
until it can be pulled from under
the vehicle.
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Do not raise the vehicle yet. Put the conlpact spare
tire near
you.
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it
is supported only by a jack.
-1 5. Attach the folding
wrench to the jack, and
rotate
the wrench
clockwise to raise the
jack head
a few inches.
NOTICE:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow
the vehicle to fall off the jack. Be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising your vehicle.
Raise the vehicle by rotating the folding wrench
clockwise
in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare
tire to
fit.
6. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
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OLDS ONLY
9. Lower the vehicle by attaching the folding wheel
wrench to the jack and rotating the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the
jack completely.
10. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence,
as shown.
IL IJ:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 Ib-ft
(140 N-m).
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or improperly
installed. Ths would allow
fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type,
it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
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
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.
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4. Unscrew the bulb sockets from the lamp assembly
by pressing the tab while turning counterclockwise.
7. To replace the lamp assembly, line up and insert the
tabs on the back
of the assembly with the slots in the
fender. Engage the lower clip
on the front of the
5. Replace the bulb by pulling the old one out and lamp assembly, keeping the upper tab on the
6. Line up the tabs on the sockets with the gaps in the
gently pushing the
new one into the lamp socket. parkinghm signal lamp assembly inboard of
the
socket holes and screw the bulb sockets back into the 8. To align the parking/turn signal lamp assembly with the
lamp housing until an audible click
is heard (the tab headlamp assembly, lift up the parking/turn signal lamp
popping back out). assembly until the upper
edge is contacting the fender.
headlamp bracket tab.
9. Fasten the parkinghurn signal lamp assembly
to the
headlamp assembly with the thumb screw used in
Step
1.
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Front Sidemarker
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the thumb screw attaching the parking/turn
signal lamp assembly
to the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the parkinghurn signal lamp assembly away
from the body.
4. Unscrew the bulb sockets from the lamp assembly
by turning counterclockwise.
5. Replace the bulb by pulling the old one out and
gently pushing the new one into the lamp socket.
6. Line up the tabs on the sockets with the gaps in the
socket holes
and screw the bulb sockets back into the
lamp housing.
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