1998 Oldsmobile Achieva towing

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
IN:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 kmh) as shown
on the speedometer.
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels.
If your vehicle has
the Enhanced Traction System, you should
turn the system
off. (See “Enhanced Traction System” in the Index.) Then
shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear.
If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be
towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
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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.
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short TripKity Definition 1
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions
is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow
a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One
of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Change
(or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to filllow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
7-5

Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule
is true. Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the Short TripKity schedule for
these conditions.
Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil
to break
down slowel:
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals
only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
7-6

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for
(See footnote
#.)
proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
(Also see footnote ++.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
(32 O 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.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE
I MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY:
DATE MILEAGE
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km) (Continued)
- 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.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
MILEAGE whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission
Control Service.
7-20

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule I
37,500 Miles (62 500 km) (Continued)
Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote
#.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for
(See footnote
#.)
proper rotation pattern and
additional information. (See footnote +.)
(Also see footnote ++.)
DATE
I MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
CI Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
MILEAGE under one or more of these conditions:
- 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.
7-24

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
(See
footnote
#.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.4L Code T engine).
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
An Emission Control Service.
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
(32°C) or
higher.
I DATE I
+
MILEAGE ACTUAL SERVICED BY
DATE I
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
vyou do
not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
7-28