1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE flat tire

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.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures
as shown on the Certificatioflire label.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque”
in the Index.
Rust or dirt on
a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get
all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
6-41
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No.
109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by
law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Oldsmobile retailer
if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
6-44
ProCarManuals.com

Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the
same way as the one it replaces.
11 yo^- -1eed to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your
Oldsmobile model.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have a
collision in which you
or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer
or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
Putting
a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
ProCarManuals.com

I IMPORTANT: I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
protection Plan I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plm? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warrmties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
Oldmobile retailer
for details.
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle
in good working condition, but also helps the
environment.
All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle
in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2
ProCarManuals.com

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

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-84
Adding Equipment to the Outside
Of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
AirBag
....................................... 1-43
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-47
Howitworks
................................ 1-45
Location
.................................... 1-45
Readiness Light
......................... 1.44, 2.94
Servicing
................................... 1-48
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-46
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-47
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-46
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-62
AirInflator
.................................... 2-86
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-44
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-52
Antenna. Integrated Windshield
.................... 3-30
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock
........................................
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2.96. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Adjusting the Split Bench Seat
.................... 1 . 19
Appearance Care
............................... 6-46
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-54
Ashtray
....................................... 2-82
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-9
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-6
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-33
Automatic Transaxle Check
....................... 7-38
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-17
HowtoAdd
................................. 6-20
How to Check
............................... 6-18
When
to Check and Change ..................... 6-17
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-31
Shifting
..................................... 2-31
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-40
Battery Saver
................................. 2-61
Battery
....................................... 6-30
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-22
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
9-1
ProCarManuals.com

Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
FirstGear
..................................... 2-34
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-62
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-43
FogLamps
.................................... 2-60
Folding Driver's Seatback
......................... 1-3
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-4
FrontDoor
..................................... 2-4
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-34
Front Seat Storage Bin
........................... 2-75
Front Seat Storage Net
........................... 2-76
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-36
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ...................................... 2-105
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-57
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-98
Fuel
...................................... 2-105
Speedometer ................................. 2-9 1
Tachometer .................................. 2-92
Garage Door Opener Compartment
................. 2-69
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-3 I
GAWR ....................................... 4-29 GloveBox
.................................... 2-68
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
GVWR
....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-6
Headlamps
.................................... 2-59
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-53
OnReminder
................................ 2-59
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-53
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-7
Prop
........................................ 6-8
Release ...................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-51
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-26
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-62
9-5
__ . .- ~
ProCarManuals.com

Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors ................... 2-83
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-40
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-86
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-66
Inspections
Brakesystem
................................ 7-42
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-4 1
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot .................. 7-4 1
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal ................... 7-4 1
Radiator and Heater Hose ...................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-42
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-88
Cleaning
.................................... 6-49
Cluster
..................................... 2-90
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Light Intensity Control
......................... 2-61
Instrument Panel Switchbank
...................... 2- I3
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-6 1
Interior Lamps Control ........................... 2-6 1
Interior Lamps Override Switch ................... 2-62
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-25
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ............
Keys ................................
7-38
. 2-2 Labels
CertificationlTire
............................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps ........................................ 2-59
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2-63
Dome
...................................... 2-64
Exit Lighting
................................ 2-63
Illuminated Entry
............................. 2-62
Interior
..................................... 2-61
On Reminder
................................ 2-59
Rearcargo
.................................. 2-64
Underhood
.................................. 6-10
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-37
Liftgate
....................................... 2-21
Lighter
....................................... 2-82
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-44: 2-94
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-96. 4-7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2.95. 6.27
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-94
DoorAjar
.................................. 2-104
Engine Temperature Warning
................... 2-99
Interior
..................................... 2-61
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.99, 6-23
Low Fuel Warning
........................... 2- 105
Low Oil Level ......................... 2.103. 6.10
Fog
........................................ 2-60
ProCarManuals.com