1998 Oldsmobile Aurora tow

When It’s Time for New Tires
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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.)
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
around
the tire.
tire’s rubber.
e The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
e The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
e The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
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Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner
on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix powdered cleaner following the directions on
the container label to form thick suds.
Use suds only and apply with
a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
As soon
as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Wipe cleaned area with a clean, damp towel or cloth.
Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.
Special Fabric -lea-ing Problems
Stains caused by such thmgs as catsup, coffee (black),
egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine and
blood can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the multi-purpose interior
cleaner instructions described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to I cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. Let dry.
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. First, clean with cool water and allow to dry
completely.
3. If a stain remains, follow instructions for
Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
if you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and a vinyl/leather cleaner. See your retailer for
this product.
6-52

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t
use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your
retailer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the
Index.) Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to
dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish
with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish
or car washing (mild detergent) soap to clean
exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under
“Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your retailer. (See “Appearance Care and
Materials”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle has a “basecoatklearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that
are non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatlclearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
6-55

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish
if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces
are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your car. Don’t use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning
brushes
on them because you could damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
1 NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care
to wipe off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces
on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage
the paint finish.
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.
6-56

Maxifuse@/Relay Center
It’s easy to check the fuses in this underhood relay
center. There are two locking
arms on either side of the
base of the cover. Reach down and unsnap each one by
pulling the cover toward you, then pushing it away
while pulling up. Remove the cover. The inside of the
cover has a chart that explains the features and controls
governed by each fuse and relay.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination
of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance
of damage
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If
the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be
sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the
correct amp rating.
1wo spare fuses are located below the fuse puller. You’ll
also find spare fuses in the slots labeled “Spare’’ in the
following charts.
There are three main fuse panels: the instrument panel
fuse block and two (driver’s side and passenger’s side)
rear compartment fuse blocks.
6-61

Removing the Rear Seat Cushion
To access the battery and rear compartment fuse panels,
the rear seat cushion must be removed. This procedure is
somewhat difficult. You may wish to have your retailer
do this for you.
NOTICE:
The battery and main fuse boxes are located
under the rear seat cushion. The battery’s
ground terminal and some relay wires are
exposed.
To help avoid damage to the battery
and wires, be careful when removing or
reinstalling the seat cushion.
Do not remove
covers from covered parts.
Do not store anything
under the seat, as objects could touch exposed
wires and cause a short.
To Remove the Rear Seat Cushion
1. Pull up on the front of the cushion to release the
front hooks.
2. Pull the cushion up and out toward the front of
To Reinstall the Rear Seat Cushion
the vehicle.
6-64

I Maintenance Schedule I
- 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.
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
!J Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
[7 Lubricate chassis components (or at each engine oil and filter change).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
(See footnote
At.)
rotation
pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ’k.)
(See footnote #.)
Lubricate chassis components (or at each engine oil and filter change).
DATE
DATE
(Continued)
7-9

I Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom screens if the vehicle is mainly
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
driven under one or more of these conditions:
I DATE 1
I MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY I
- 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 veh.icle under any of these conditions, th.e jluid and
filter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
17 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
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
7-13