1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE suspension

Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings.
Ask
your retailer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
A CAUTION:
I
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or
rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle
can break,
or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose
control. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
I NOTICE:
. ,. . ~. . - .::
Your warranty does not cover parts or
. .. components that fail because of overloading. I
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
A CAUTION:
~
Things you put inside your vehicle c
I
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
flry to spread the weight evenly.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
0 Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
0 Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
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A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it
is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle.
Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When
your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
key in the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in
a straight-ahead position, with a
clamping device designed for towing service.
Do not
use
the vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The
transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has front-wheel drive; do not have it
towed with the front wheels in contact with the
ground or vehicle damage may occur.
A dolly
must be used under the front wheels when towing
from the rear or the vehicle must be transported
on a flat bed carrier.
Be careful not to damage brake fluid lines when
securing the vehicle
with safety chains.
5-9
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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.
7-41
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1997 OLDSMOBILE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out^
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it\
in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below\
.)
~
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 OLDSMOBILE
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL
TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
! I OWNER’S INFORMATION i
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$15.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $10.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover)
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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
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