2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE tire pressure

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on the Certification/Tire
label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and
Specifications on page 5-
103.
-3ust 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.
When It Is Time for New Tires
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
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
around the tire.
tire’s rubber. deep enough to show cord or fabric.
__ can’t be repaired well because of the size or
location
of the damage.
5-63

Accessory Inflator
Your vehicle may have an air inflator. With it, you can
inflate things like air mattresses and basketballs,
and you can also use it to bring your tires up to the
proper pressure.
The air inflator is located in the rear compartment on
the driver’s side. To remove the cover, pull the tab
on the cover and pull it
off.
This is the switch for
the air inflator.
There may be an air inflator kit stored in the glove box.
It includes a 20-foot
(6 m) hose with an air pressure
gage and nozzle adapters.
....___ ting something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inflator instructions, and
inflate any object only
to its recommended
pressure.
To use your air inflator system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
2. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter, if required,
to the end
of the hose that has the pressure gage.
3. Attach that end of the hose to the object you wish
to inflate.
4. Remove the protective cap covering the outlet.
5. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
6. Press the accessory inflator switch. The light in the
switch will come on to show the system is working.
If the air inflator system does not turn on or the
light does not come on, the fuse may be blown or
installed incorrectly. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-96 or see your dealer for service.
5-68

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Lay the tire near the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem down.
2. If the vehicle has aluminum wheels, remove the
small center cap by tapping the back of the cap
with the extension of the shaft.
3. Slide the cable retainer through the center of the
wheel and start to raise the tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the
underside
of the wheel.
4. When the tire is almost in the stored position,
turn the tire
so the valve is towards the rear of
the vehicle.
This will help when you check and maintain tire
pressure in the spare.
5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the folding wrench until you
feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the
compact spare tire is secure and the cable is tight.
The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.
PUSH & PULL
6. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire.
If the tire
moves, use the folding wrench to tighten the cable.
Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack storage
compartment and put the compartment cover back
on.
5-82

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated
when your vehicle was new,
it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle,
you should stop as soon as possible and make sure
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course,
it’s best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in good
shape in case you need it again.
Notice: When the compact spare is installed, don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles. And
don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t
fit. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your compact spare.
All-Wheel Drive
After installing a compact spare tire on a vehicle with
all-wheel drive you will need to drive with light to
moderate acceleration, for
10 seconds, in a straight line.
This action will allow the vehicle to detect the compact
spare tire and disable the all-wheel drive system.
The AWD DISABLE message will come on indicating
that the all-wheel drive system is
off. You may detect
a slight pull during this time, but this is normal.
Notice: You may damage your vehicle’s all-wheel
drive system if your vehicle
is driven for an extended
period with a compact spare tire installed and
the all-wheel drive system in operation. See “All-Wheel Drive System’’ and “AWD Disable
Warning Message’’
in the Index for more information.
5-86

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-14 for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page 5-23
for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38 for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tries are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See
Tires on
page 5-60
for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every
50 hours of tape play. See Audio Systern(s)
on page 3-63 for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
:s , Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your bell
buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
6-1 0

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-90.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly inflation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inflated to
the correct tire inflation pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, use the folding
wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire
on page
5-70.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page
6-16.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-20. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assemblies,
secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor and release
pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding seats, fuel door
hinge, liftgate hinges, power sliding door cable and
sliding door track(s). Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exnosed tn ;I cnrrnsive enyirnnm~nf.
6-1 1

How to Use This Manual ................... .... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............... 1-27
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-27
If the Light Is Flashing ..................................... 3-49
If the Light Is On Steady ................................. 3-49
If You Are Stuck in Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
....... 4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-37
Your
Engine
................................................ 5-28
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-28
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-32
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-48
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ................................... 5-61
Inspection Brake System
............................................. 6-15
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-14
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-14
Fuel System
............................................... 6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
..................................... 6-14 Inspection
(cont.)
Throttle System
........................................... 6-15
Transfer Care (Power Transfer Unit) and
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module) All-Wheel Drive
........... 6-15
Instrument Panel Cluster
..........................................
Overview ......................................
Switchbank ....................................
Instrument Panel Brightness ................
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ...............
Interior Lamps ...................................
Interior Lamps Control ........................
Interior Lamps Override ......................
Interior Plastic Components .................
....
.......... 3-40
........... 3-4
.......... 3-21
.......... 3-17
.......... 5-97
.......... 3-17
.......... 3-17
.......... 3-17
.......... 5-89
Jump Starting
......................... . 5-44
Key Lock Cylinders Service
................. .... .......... 6-11
Keyless Entry System
....................................... 2-5
Keys
............................................................... 2-3

Throttle System Inspection ..... ................ 6-15
Tilt Wheel
................................ ................. 3-7
Tire Inflation Check
...................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5-60, 5-92
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-64
Chains
....................................................... 5-67
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-69
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-61
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-62
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-66
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-63
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
.................... 2-35
Top of the Instrument Panel
............................. 5-89
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-56
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires .................. 4-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-32
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-36
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-32
Active Message
........................................... 3-53
Compact
Spare Tire
..................................... 5-86
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-65
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-66
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-55
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-42
Traction Control System (TCS)
.................................. 4-10 Traction
(cont.)
Control System Warning Light
....................... 3-46
Service Traction System Warning Message
..... 3-52
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-40
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-43
Transaxle
Transaxle Operation, Automatic
......................... 2-36
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)
.................. 5-50
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
...................................... 7-10
Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-20
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trip Computer
................................................ 3-62
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 3-8
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-42
Underbody Flushing Service
............................. 6-13
Underhood Fuse Block
................................... 5-100
Understanding Radio Reception
....................... 3-1 03
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-65
United States
................................................... 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-67
Using Cleaner on Fabric
.................................. 5-88
Using HomeLink@
........................................... 2-52
16