Home » Oldsmobile Manuals » 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva » Manual Viewer

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 193

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Manual

Get 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva PDF manuals and user guides

View all 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva manuals

Page 193 highlights

Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chainsunder the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attachingsafety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always so leave just enough slack you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to dragon the ground. driving isnow a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electricalconnector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes,start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. Thislets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure toread and follow the instructions forthe trailer and brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust maintain them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap intoyour vehicle's brake system.If you do, both brake systems won't work well, or at all. Following Distance Stay at least twice as farbehind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing You'll need more passing distanceup ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle beforeyou can return to your lane. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certainamount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are 4-39

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	9
Seats and Seat Controls	10
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	15
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers	20
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	21
Driver Position	21
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	28
Right Front Passenger Position	29
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	29
Rear Seat Passengers	35
Center Passenger Position	40
Children	42
Child Restraints	44
Larger Children	52
Safety Belt Extender	55
Checking Your Restraint Systems	55
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	55
Features and Controls	57
Keys	58
Door Locks	60
Remote Lock Control	63
Trunk	66
Theft	68
Passlock	68
New Vehicle "Break-In"	69
Ignition Positions	70
Starting Your Engine	72
Engine Coolant Heater	75
Automatic Transaxle Operation	77
Manual Transaxle Operation	81
Parking Brake	84
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	85
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle)	87
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle)	87
Parking Over Things That Burn	88
Engine Exhaust	88
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	89
Windows	90
Tilt Wheel	91
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	91
Exterior Lamps	99
Interior Lamps	102
Mirrors	105
Storage Compartments	106
Accessory Power Outlet	110
Sunroof	111
Instrument Panel	112
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	116
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	131
Comfort Controls	132
Climate Control System	132
Air Conditioning	133
Heating	134
Defogging and Defrosting	134
Rear Window Defogger	135
Audio Systems	136
Setting the Clock	136
AM-FM Stereo	137
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control	139
Theft-Deterrent Feature	149
Understanding Radio Reception	151
Tips About Your Audio System	151
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	152
Care of Your Compact Discs	153
Rear Window Defogger Antenna	153
Your Driving and the Road	155
Defensive Driving	156
Drunken Driving	157
Control of a Vehicle	160
Braking	160
Steering	165
Off-Road Recovery	167
Passing	167
Loss of Control	169
Driving at Night	170
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	172
City Driving	175
Freeway Driving	176
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	177
Highway Hypnosis	178
Hill and Mountain Roads	178
Winter Driving	180
Recreational Vehicle Towing	184
Loading Your Vehicle	187
Towing a Trailer	189
Problems on the Road	197
Hazard Warning Flashers	198
Other Warning Devices	199
Jump Starting	199
Towing Your Vehicle	204
Engine Overheating	209
If a Tire Goes Flat	217
Changing a Flat Tire	218
Compact Spare Tire	228
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	229
Service and Appearance Care	231
Fuel	233
Fuels in Foreign Countries	234
Filling Your Tank	235
Checking Things Under the Hood	238
Engine Oil	242
Air Cleaner	248
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	249
Manual Transaxle Fluid	252
Hydraulic Clutch	253
Engine Coolant	254
Surge Tank Pressure Cap	258
Thermostat	258
Power Steering Fluid	258
Windshield Washer Fluid	259
Brakes	260
Battery	265
Bulb Replacement	265
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	270
Appearance Care	278
Cleaning the Inside of Your Oldsmobile	278
Care of Safety Belts	281
Cleaning the Outside of Your Oldsmobile	282
Cleaning Tires	283
Appearance Care Materials Chart	285
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	286
Electrical System	286
Replacement Bulbs	291
Capacities and Specifications	292
Air Conditioning Refrigerants	292
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	293
Dimensions	293
Maintenance Schedule	295
Introduction	296
Your Vehicle and the Environment	296
How This Section is Organized	297
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	298
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	298
Selecting the Right Schedule	298
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	335
At Each Fuel Fill	335
At Least Once a Month	335
At Least Twice a Year	336
At Least Once a Year	336
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	339
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	339
Exhaust System Inspection	339
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection	339
Throttle Linkage Inspection	339
Brake System Inspection	340
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection	340
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	341
Part E: Maintenance Record	343
Customer Assistance Information	347
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	348
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	350
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Program Features and Benefits	351
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	353
Warranty Information	354
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	354
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	355
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	355
Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada	355

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your vehicle

and your trailer. Cross the

safety

chains under the tongue

the

trailer

that the tongue will not drop

the road

if it becomes separated from the hitch.

Instructions

about safety chains may

be provided by the hitch

manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the

manufacturer’s recommendation for

attachingsafety

chains and do not attach them

the bumper. Always

leave

just

enough

slack

you can turn with your rig.

And, never allow safety chains

drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

Does your trailer have its own brakes?

Be sure

to read and follow the instructions

for the trailer

brakes

you’ll be able

install,

adjust

and maintain

them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes,

do not try to

tap

into your vehicle’s brake

system. If

you

do, both brake

systems won’t work well, or

at all.

Driving

with

Trailer

Towing a trailer requires a

certain amount of experience.

Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get

to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of

handling and braking with

the

added weight of

the

trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are

driving

isnow a good deal longer and not nearly as

responsive as your vehicle

is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform

(and attachments), safety chains,

electrical connector,

lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has

electric

brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and

then apply the trailer brake controller by hand

be sure

the brakes are

working.

This

lets you check your

electrical connection at the same time.

During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the

load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes

are still working.

Following Distance

Stay

least

twice as

far behind the vehicle ahead as you

would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This

can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking

and sudden turns.

Passing

You’ll need more passing

distanceup ahead when

you’re towing

trailer. And, because you’re

a good deal

longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the

passed vehicle

before you can return to your lane.

4-39