Oldsmobile Silhouette (2004 year). Manual

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If you are using a weight-carrying or a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle.

After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You will find these numbers on the
Certification/Tire Label at the rear edge of the driver’s
door, or see

Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-33.

Then be sure you do not go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.

4-41

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Hitches

It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you will need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:

•

The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.

•

If you will be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use
a properly mounted, weight-carrying hitch and sway
control of the proper size. This equipment is very
important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you are driving.

•

Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?

If you do, remember to seal the holes when you
remove the hitch. If you do not seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get
into your vehicle. See

Engine Exhaust on page 2-42.

Dirt and water can, too.

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting 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 attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes – and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.

Because your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes, do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do,
both brake systems will not work well, or at all.

4-42

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Driving with a Trailer

{

CAUTION:

If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. See

Engine

Exhaust on page 2-42. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:

•

Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.

•

Keep the rear-most windows closed.

•

If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main heating
or cooling system on and with the fan on
any speed. This will bring fresh, outside air
into your vehicle. Do not use the climate
control setting for maximum air because it
only recirculates the air inside your vehicle.
See

Climate Control System on page 3-28.

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will 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 is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts 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 to 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.

4-43

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Following Distance

Stay at 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 will need more passing distance up ahead when you
are towing a trailer. And, because you are a good deal
longer, you will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.

Making Turns

Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.

When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring.

The arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.

When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.

4-44

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Driving On Grades

Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.

If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs. (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or, as you
need to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up
and extend the life of your transaxle.

Parking on Hills

{

CAUTION:

You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, do the
following:

1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into

PARK (P) yet.

2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer

wheels.

3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the

regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.

4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your

parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).

5. Release the regular brakes.

4-45

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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 fluid, engine oil, belts,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find
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

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Service

Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer
for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service people.

We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

Doing Your Own Service Work

If you want to do some of your own service work, you will
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see

Service

Publications Ordering Information on page 7-12.

Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, see

Servicing Your Air

Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-78.

You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See

Maintenance Record on page 6-15.

{

CAUTION:

You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.

•

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

5-3

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CAUTION:

(Continued)

•

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle

Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.

Fuel

Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle.

Gasoline Octane

Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage
your engine. A little pinging noise when you accelerate
or drive uphill is considered normal. This does not
indicate a problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel is
necessary. If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane
fuel and hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.

5-4

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Gasoline Specifications

It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by automobile manufacturers
around the world and contained in the World-Wide
Fuel Charter which is available from the Alliance
of Automobile Manufacturers at www.autoalliance.org.
Gasoline meeting these specifications could provide
improved driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasoline.

In Canada, look for the
“Auto Makers’ Choice”
label on the pump.

California Fuel

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see

Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-49 )

and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.

Canada Only

5-5

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Additives

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. General Motors
recommends that you buy gasolines that are advertised
to help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean. If your
vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available
in your area to contribute to clean air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines,
particularly if they comply with the specifications
described earlier.

Notice: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.

Fuels in Foreign Countries

If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.

To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact
a major oil company that does business in the country
where you will be driving.

5-6

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Filling Your Tank

{

CAUTION:

Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions
on the pump island. Turn off your engine when
you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks,
flames and smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle — this is against the law
in some places. Keep children away from the
fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.

The fuel door is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

When the fuel door is opened on a vehicle with dual
sliding doors, the driver’s side sliding door will only open
partway.

5-7

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While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether
as shown.

{

CAUTION:

If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. This
spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap
slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.

Don’t top off or overfill your tank, and wait a few
seconds after you’ve finished pumping before you
remove the nozzle. Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean
fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible.
See

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-95.

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. See

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

on page 3-49.

5-8

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{

CAUTION:

If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.

The malfunction indicator lamp (SERVICE ENGINE
SOON or CHECK ENGINE light) will come on if the fuel
cap is not properly installed.

Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and
may damage your fuel tank and emissions system.
See

Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-49.

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

{

CAUTION:

Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury
to you and others:

•

Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.

•

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed
or on any surface other than the ground.

•

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

•

Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.

5-9

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Checking Things Under
the Hood

{

CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.

{

CAUTION:

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a fire. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.

Hood Release

To open the hood, do the following:

1. Pull the hood release handle, located on the

driver’s side under the instrument panel.

2. Go to the front of the vehicle and push up on the

underhood release, located near the center under
the grille.

5-10

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Oldsmobile Silhouette (2004 year). Manual - part 19