Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-22
Child Restraints
.......................................1-46
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-70
Restraint System Check
............................1-78
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-26
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
........................................2-30
Mirrors
....................................................2-44
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-45
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-47
Storage Areas
.........................................2-51
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-60
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-41
Message Center
.......................................3-53Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-60
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-63
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-92
Vehicle Identi®cation
...............................5-100
Electrical System
....................................5-100
Capacities and Speci®cations
...................5-108
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner ManualM
For more information on how to use the main climate
control system, see ªClimate Control Systemº listed
previously in this section. For information on ventilation,
see ªOutlet Adjustmentº under ªClimate Control
Systemº listed previously in this section.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Passenger compartment air, both outside and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment ®lter. The ®lter removes certain
contaminants from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in air¯ow, which may occur more
quickly in dusty areas, indicate that the ®lter needs
to be replaced early. For how often to change the air
®lter, see
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
®lter is located in the back of the glove box. To replace
the ®lter, do the following:1. Pull the tab located on the outer access panel
up and out.
3-39
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also
be another problem causing low oil pressure.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches ®re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Message
If this message comes on and stays on after you started
the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information on when to change the oil
and resetting the system, see
Engine Oil on page 5-13. United States
Canada
3-56
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·Start your engine.
·Shift into a gear.
·Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle ¯uid, engine oil, belts,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you ®nd
them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a good idea to
review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness located at the
rear of your vehicle. To use the trailer wiring harness
you need a converter kit. Contact your dealer for more
information.
4-46
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/®lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/®lter at every oil change and
replace it at the ®rst oil change after 25,000 miles
(40 000 km). See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/®lter, remove the ®lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the ®lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the ®lter remains caked with dirt,
a new ®lter is required.To inspect or replace the air cleaner/®lter, do the
following:
1. Remove the two clamps on the duct.
2. Remove the duct.
3. Unlatch the two hooks on top of the engine air
cleaner/®lter housing.
4. Remove and replace the engine air cleaner/®lter.
5. Align the tabs located on the bottom of the
panel with the slots at the bottom of the housing.
5-18
6. Latch the hooks to secure the panel in place. If the
panel moves easily, check that the tabs are seated
correctly in the slots.
7. Put the duct back on and reinstall the clamps.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/®lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air,
it helps to stop ¯ame if the engine back®res.
If it is not there and the engine back®res,
you could be burned. Do not drive with it off,
and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner/®lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/®lter is off, a back®re can
cause a damaging engine ®re. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/®lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
·In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) 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, change the ¯uid and ®lter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
5-19
How to Add Fluid Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle ¯uid to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
¯uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough ¯uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much ¯uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not over®ll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle ¯uid labeled
other than DEXRONž-III may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEXRON
ž-III labeled automatic
transaxle ¯uid.
3. After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under ªHow to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluidº.
4. When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
žextended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating
on page 5-25.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC)
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC)
·Protect against rust and corrosion
·Help keep the proper engine temperature
·Let the warning messages and gages work
as they should
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-22
All-Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to perform
the lubricant checks described in this section. However,
they have two additional systems that need lubrication.
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to check the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on
a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ®ller plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-48