1998 Oldsmobile Achieva maintenance

If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails
with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment.
If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your retailer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
To check or replace the air filter:
1. Unscrew the four Phillips-head screws, then pull the
cover back.
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Be sure to install the air cleaner filter and replace the
cover tightly.
6-17

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
6-18

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck hnnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the proper level.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant.
This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or
150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
B
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than The following explains your cooling system and how
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflZZ. to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
I 3 the Index.
NOTICE: A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Protect against rust and corrosion. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-III
a Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129 “C).
a Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Help keep the proper engine temperature. z
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-21

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
See “CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection” in
Section
7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’; have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the
rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each time
the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear.
If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every
1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
6-30

NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you
can get the following:
Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When
to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 Wa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back
on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 OOO to 13 O00 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.
6-38 -

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make
sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your retailer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your retailer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur
on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection. At
least every spring,
flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your retailer or an underbody car washing system can
do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint
job causes this,
Oldsmobile will repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces
of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within
12 months or 1.2,OOO miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
6-50

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.4L ....................... AC Type A-1233C
3100
....................... ACTypeA-1233C
Engine Oil Filter
2.4L .......................... AC Type PF-44
3100
.......................... ACTypePF-47
Spark Plugs
2.4L .......... AC Type 41 -942 (Platinum Plug)
Gap:
0.050 inch (1.27 mm)
3100
.......... AC Type 41-940 (Platinum Plug)
Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades ...... 19 inches (48 cm)
Vehicle Dimensions
Length
Coupe
................ 187.9 inches (477.1 cm)
Sedan
................. 187.9 inches (477.2 cm)
Width Coupe
................. 74.1 inches (188.2 cm)
Sedan
.................. 74.1 inches (1 88.2 cm)
Height Coupe
................. 53.5 inches (135.9 cm)
Sedan
.................. 53.5 inches (135.9 cm)
Wheelbase Coupe
................ 103.4 inches (262.7 cm)
Sedan
................. 103.4 inches (262.7 cm)
Front Tread
Coupe
................. 55.8 inches (141.7 cm)
Sedan
.................. 55.8 inches (141.7 cm)
Rear Tread Coupe
................. 55.3 inches (140.4 cm)
Sedan
.................. 55.3 inches (140.4 cm)
6-59

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5 7-5
7-6
7-6 Introduction
How
This Section is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Short Trip/City Definition
Short Trip/City Intervals
Long TripMighway Definition
Long Tripmighway Intervals 7-7
7-2
1
7-30
7-34
7-36
7-37
Short
Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Part
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record