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Ignition Transaxle 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
The key should come out only in LOCK.
lever
is in PARK (P).
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
A CAb I’ION:
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.
e
a
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.
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.
Page 344 of 380

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 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 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.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the
cooling system and pressure cap is recommended at
least once a year.
7-18
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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
ODOMETER
DATE READING SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
SERVICED
BY READING
Page 351 of 380
@ Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Oldsmobile if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain
service publications and
how to report any safety defects.
8-2
8-4
8-5
8-6
8-6
8-7
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Program
Features and Benefits
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program
8- 8
8-8
8-9
8-9
8-9 Warranty Information
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
Page 352 of 380
Customer Satisfaction Procedure Oldsmobile retailers have the facilities, trained
technicians and up-to-date information to promptly address any concerns you may have. However,
if a
concern has not been resolved to your complete
satisfaction, take the following steps:
STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a member
of retail facility management. Normally, concerns can
be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has
already been reviewed with the sales, service or parts
manager, contact the owner of the retail facility or the
general manager.
8-2
Page 355 of 380
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance
Program Features and Benefits
The Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance program means
help is just a toll-free call away
-- 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Courteous and capable Customer Assistance
Representatives are on-call to provide you with
prompt assistance.
24-Hour Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance
Telephone Number
1-800-442-OLDS (6537) is the one number to call
for assistance in the United States. Trained Customer
Assistance Representatives, on-call to render assistance
to Oldsmobile drivers, can dispatch roadside assistance
and towing service, locate the nearest Oldsmobile
retail facility, take your request for an Oldsmobile
computerized trip routing or simply answer any
questions the Oldsmobile driver may have about the
coverage provided by your Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance Program. The Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance number is fully staffed and operational
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Page 356 of 380

Who Is Covered?
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance covers all
1998 Oldsmobile vehicles.*
Coverage is for the Oldsmobile vehicle,
regardless of
the driver, and is concurrent with the Bumper to Bumper
warranty period.
Oldsmobile reserves the right
to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in
Oldsmobile’s judgement the claims become excessive in
frequency or type of occurrence.
*Vehicles sold in Canada have a separate roadside
assistance program, as described next
in this section.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
roadside assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada
or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the retailer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
Courtesy Transportation
We’re here to help. That’s why whenever your
Oldsmobile
is undergoing any Bumper to Bumper
Warranty service, we’ll make sure you don’t end
up stranded at the retail facility. It’s called Courtesy Transportation and it’s our
way to make sure you’re
able to get out even when your car is in.
For same-day
service, we’ll give you a one-way shuttle ride of up
to
10 miles (16 km). If your vehicle requires overnight
warranty repairs, we’ll provide a loaner car or
reimburse you up to $30
a day for the cost of alternate
transportation
-- a cab, a bus or even a rental car
if necessary. Having your car serviced is rarely
convenient, but with Courtesy Transportation, at
least you’ll be able to get where you need to
go,
whether it’s here, or there.
Some state insurance regulations make it impractical
to rent vehicles
to people under 21 years of age. If
you are under 21 and have difficulty renting a
vehicle, Oldsmobile will reimburse up to $30/day
for documented transportation you receive. Please
consult your retailer for details.
For warranty repairs during the Complete Vehicle
Coverage period in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
interim transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult your
retailer for details. The Roadside Assistance program
is
available only in the United States and Canada.
In Canada, please consult your GM dealer for
information on Courtesy Transportation.