2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette warning

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and may have rear
drum brakes or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal ®rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes will not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are ®rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci®cations.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not 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.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer 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 apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-40

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system Ð for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in Ð be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change Ð for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelcožbattery. When it is time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
ž
battery.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
5-41

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signi®cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction ± AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci®ed government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature ± A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci®ed indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly in¯ated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underin¯ation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-72

If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblowoutº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the ¯at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel ®rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a ¯at tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack.
Use the jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a ¯at tire.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning ¯ashers.
5-76

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully in¯ated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the in¯ation 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 in¯ated. 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 ®nish 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 ®t. Keep your spare tire and
its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains won't ®t 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 the
instrument panel cluster 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 ªAll-Wheel Drive Systemº and ªAWD Disable
Warning Messageº in the Index for more
information.
5-91

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into ¯ames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer's warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or windows
when you are cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
·Gasoline
·Benzene
·Naphtha
·Carbon Tetrachloride
·Acetone
·Paint Thinner
·Turpentine
·Lacquer Thinner
·Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous Ð some more than
others Ð and they can all damage your vehicle, too.Do not use any of these unless this manual says you
can. In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
·Alcohol
·Laundry Soap
·Bleach
·Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and
loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted
surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet
Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and
carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very well.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your
dealer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page 5-99.
Here are some cleaning tips:
·Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
·Clean up stains as soon as you can Ð before
they set.
5-92

A
Accessory In¯ator...........................................5-74
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-27
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-37
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-100
Adjusting the Captain's Chairs
(Second Row).............................................1-14
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)....................................3-66, 3-76
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-45
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-70
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-76
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-78
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-75
What Will You See After an
Air Bag In¯ates?......................................1-76
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-75
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-72
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic
Module (SDM).............................................7-10
All-Wheel Drive......................................5-48, 5-91
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message..........3-59
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-10
AM ...............................................................3-98
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-100Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...............3-47
Appearance Care............................................5-92
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-95
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-98
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-92
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-95
Finish Damage............................................5-98
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-98
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-98
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-99
Weatherstrips..............................................5-95
Arming and Disarming the Content
Theft-Deterrent System.................................2-67
Arming Con®rmation........................................2-27
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-26
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-27
Arming with Your Key......................................2-27
Audio Speakers..............................................3-87
Audio System(s).............................................3-63
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-97
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-98
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-100
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-99
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-100
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-64
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-74
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)........................3-92, 3-94
Setting the Time..........................................3-63
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-96
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-98
Automatic Door Locks.....................................2-62
Automatic Level Control...................................4-38
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-34
B
Backing Up....................................................4-44
Battery..........................................................5-41
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-22
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Before You Drive............................................3-85
Bench Seat, Split............................................. 1-9
Brake
Parking......................................................2-37
System Warning Light..................................3-46
Brake Fluid....................................................5-38
Brake Wear...................................................5-40
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-30
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-52Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps.................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Canceling the Sliding Door
Security Lock..............................................2-16
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-108
Captain Chairs, Rear.......................................1-14
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-38, 2-21, 2-42
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-95
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-98
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-100
Your CDs and DVDs....................................3-99
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-22
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)....................................5-49
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-71
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-71
2