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1
How to Use this Manual
I
Wehicle Symbols (CONTJ
These symbols are on some of your
controls: These symbols are used on warning
and indicator lights:
Windshield Wipers
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Windshield Washer
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Defogger Ventilating Fan
Power Window
Here are some other symbols you
may see:
Fuse
Battery Charging
System Trunk Release
Lighter
Fuel
Engine
Oil Pressure
Brake
Anti-Lock Brakes Horn
Speaker
Hood Release
b
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Features & ControIs
62
Forward Gears (CONT.)
D (Third Gear): If your automatic
transaxle does not have Overdrive, this
position is for normal driving, at all
speeds, in most street and highway
situations.
If your automatic transaxle has
Overdrive,
D is like m, but you never
go into Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose
D instead of m:
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less
When going down a steep hill.
shifting between gears.
2 (Second Gear): This
position gives
you more power but lower fuel
economy.
You can use 2 on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes
off
and on.
1 (First Gear): This position gives you
even more power (but lower fuel
economy) than
2. You can use it on very
steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If
the selector lever is put in 1, the
transaxle won’t shift into first gear until
the vehicle
is going slowly enough.
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Pump-to-Set Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on
the rear wheels.
To Set the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular bralte pedal down with
your right foot. Pump your parking
brake pedal several times with your left
foot until the pedal feels firm. If the
ignition is
on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
Over time, more pumps may be needed
to set the parlung brake firmly. If it ever
takes more than two full pumps, have
the brake system adjusted by your
dealer.
..
To Release the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull
the
BRAKE RELEASE lever.
If You are on a Hill:
See the Index under Parking on Hills.
That section shows how to turn your
front wheels.
If You are Towing a Trailer and are
Parking on any Hill:
See the Index under Towing a Trailer.
That section shows what to do first to
keep the trailer from moving.
63
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70
Features & Controls
Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator
(CONT.)
A green arrow on the instrument panel
will flash in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or
lower the lever until the green arrow
starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever
will return by itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if
the arrows don’t flash but just stay on,
a
signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help
avoid an accident.
If the green arrows
don’t go on at all when
you signal a
turn, check the fuse (see the
Index
under Fuses G Circuit Breakers) and
for burned-out bulbs.
A warning chime will remind you if you
have left your turn signal on for more
than
‘/2 mile (-8 km) of driving.
. Cruise Control (OPTION)
With cruise control, you can maintain a
speed of about
25 mph (40 lun/h) or
more without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. This can really help on long
trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds
below about
25 mph (40 lun/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise
control shuts off.
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brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes
on while driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may
notice that the pedal is harder to push.
Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. (See the
Index under Towing
Your Oldsrnobile.)
CAUTION
Your brake system may not I
be working properly if the
brake warning light is on. Driving
with the brake warning light on can
lead to an accident. If the light is
still on after you’ve pulled
off the
road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
(opTloN)
With anti-lock, this light will go on
when you start your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds. That’s
normal. If the light doesn’t come on,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on or comes on when
you’re driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the key
off. Then start the
engine to reset the system.
If the light
still stays on, or comes
on again while
you’re driving, your Oldsmobile needs
service. Unless the regular brake system
warning light
is also on, you will still
have brakes, but not anti-lock brakes.
If
the regular brake system warning light
99
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Part 4
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and
in varying weather conditions
. We’ve
also included many other useful tips
on driving
.
Your Driving and the Road
Road Signs ........................................................................\
....................................... 140
Defensive Driving
........................................................................\
............................ 144
Drunken Driving
........................................................................\
............................ 145
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
........................................................................\
......................................... 148
Anti-Lock Brakes ........................................................................\
......................... 149
Steering Tips
........................................................................\
................................ 154
Steering in Emergencies
........................................................................\
.............. 155
Driving at Night
........................................................................\
............................... 159
Driving in the Rain
........................................................................\
.......................... 161
Passing ........................................................................\
......................................... 156
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze
........................................................................\
....... 164
City Drmng
........................................................................\
...................................... 165 ..
Freeway Driving ........................................................................\
............................. 166
Driving a Long Distance ........................................................................\
................ 168
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................................................\
............... 170
Winter Driving
........................................................................\
................................ 173
Parking
on Hills ........................................................................\
.............................. 171
Towing a Trailer
........................................................................\
............................... 176 139
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Tiding” your brakes can
cause them to overheat to the
point that they won’t work well.
You might not be able to stop your
vehicle in time
to avoid an accident.
If you “ride” your brakes, they will
get
so hot they will require a lot of
pedal force to slow you down.
Avoid “riding” the brakes.
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If you keep pace with the tr&c and
allow realistic following distances, you
will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re
driving, brake normally but don’t
pump your brakes.
If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If
your engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it may take
longer to stop and the brake pedal will
be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) (OPTION)
If your Oldsmobile has this system, it
has an advanced electronic braking
system that
will help prevent skidding.
If you have an anti-lock brake system
(ABS), the brake pedal will say
so.