1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

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.
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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.
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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.
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Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and
for damage 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.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM retailer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol of the proper viscosity.
To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil”
in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@
DEX-COOL” or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL TM
(silicate-free) antifreeze. See
“Engine Coolant”
in the Index.
USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT
Coolant GM Part No. 3634621 or
Supplement equivalent with a complete flush
Sealer and refill.
Hydraulic Brake Delco
Supreme
1 I @ Brake Fluid
System (GM
Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid).
Power Steering
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
System Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
Automatic DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transaxle Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Multi-Pur ose lubricant,
Cy
I i nders Superlube (GM Part
10500 17 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
i)
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Windshield GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 105 15 15) or
equivalent.
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USAGE
Hood Latch Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door Hinges, Rear
Folding Seat,
Fuel Door
Hinge, Liftgate
Hinges, Power Sliding Door
Cable
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Part No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI ## 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
Multi-purpose lubricant,
Superlube@
(GM Part No.
1234624 1 or equivalent).
I USAGE I FLUIDLUBRICANT I
I
Weatherstrip Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
Conditioning Dielectric
Silicone Grease (GM
See “Replacement Parts”
in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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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
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER READING SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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