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How to Use this Manual
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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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Driving Through Deep Standing Wafer €ngine Block Heater (OPTION)
In
very cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or
colder, the engine block heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine
warm-up.
To Use the Block Heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
electrical
cord.
110-volt outlet.
CAUTION
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Features & ControIs
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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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The Instrument Panel-
Your Information System
Your instrument panel is designed to let
you know
at a glance how your vehicle
is running. You’ll know how fast you’re
going, how much fuel you’re using, and
many other things you’ll need to drive
safely and economically.
The main components of your
instrument panel are:
1. Turn Signal/Headlight Beam Lever
2. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
3. Indicator Lights
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Warning Lights
6. Gearshift Lever
7. Audio System
8. Glove Box/Fuse Panel
9. Vents
IO. Vents
11. Climate ControVRear Window
Defogger
12. Ashtray and Lighter
13. Vents
14. Ignition Switch
15. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
16. Horn
17. Remote Trunk Release (Option)
18. Brake Release
19. Hood Release (on floor by driver’s
20. Light Controls
door)
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
(CONT.)
is also on, see Brake System Warning
Light earlier in this section.
If the anti-lock brake system warning
light ever flashes, your anti-lock bralre system is still working but needs service
as soon as possible.
Malfunction lnelicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
.systems.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but the engine
is not running, as a check
to show you-
it is working. If it does not come on at
all, have it fixed right away. If it stays
on,
or it comes on while you are driving,
the computer is indicating that you
have
a problem. You should take your
vehicle in
for service soon.
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~ Comfort Controls &Audio Systems
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Climate Control
The air conditioner and heater work
best
if you keep your windows closed
while using them. Your vehicle also has
the flow-through ventilation system
described later in this section.
OFF: Press to turn the blower off.
Some air will still come from the outlets
at the floor. Press any function button
to turn the system
on.
Temperature Control Lever: This
lever changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. The higher
the lever setting, the warmer the air.
3f: Selects the force of air you want.
Press
LO to lower the fan speed, HI to
raise
it.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows
long enough to let hot inside air escape.
This reduces the time it tales for your
vehicle to cool down, which should help
fuel economy.
There are three air conditioning
settings:
MAX: Provides maximum cooling or
quick cool-down
on very hot days. This
setting also helps prevent outside odors
from entering your vehicle.
This setting recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle, and it should not be
used for long periods because the air
may become too cold and
dry. This
setting is not recommended if an
occupant is smoking.
NORM: Use for normal cooling on hot
days. This setting brings in outside air,
cools it and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV (Bi-Level): Use on cool, but
sunny days. This setting brings in the
outside air, but directs it in two ways.
The cool air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the
instrument panel outlets, but most
warmed air is directed through the
heater ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents. At times this
temperature difference may be more
apparent than others.
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Heating and Venfilafion
When you don’t need to cool the outside
air, use these next settings.
You can
leave the air as it is or heat it.
The air conditioner compressor doesn’t
run in these settings. This reduces the
engine load, resulting in improved fuel
economy (gas mileage)
.
VENT: For mild outside temperatures,
when little heating or cooling is needed,
push
VENT. Air flow is through the
instrument panel outlets. Slide the
temperature control lever to a
comfortable level.
HEAT: When outside temperatures are
cold, push
HEAT. Slide the temper-
ature control lever to a comfortable
level. For maximum heating, slide it all
the way to the right.
This setting will send most of the heated
air through the ducts near the floor. The
rest will come out of the defroster vents
and side window defogger vents.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two settings for clearing your
windows. For each setting, adjust the
temperature control
as desired. The air
conditioner compressor will run in
these settings to remove moisture from
the air when the temperature
is above
freezing.
tv th This setting allows half of
e air to flow to the floor
heater ducts, and half to
go to the windshield and
side window vents located
in the windshield pillars.
Use this setting to warm
passengers while keeping
the windshield clear. The
DEF setting directs 90% of
the air
through the defroster vents and the side
window vents, and
10% to the floor.
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Page 170 of 340

Your Driving and the Road
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are
made on freeways, there are still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and
regular highways is the same
in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and
the vehicle prepared, you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there
are
longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more if you and your
vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for a successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work
don’t plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in Oldsmobile dealerships all
across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it. Here are
some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir
full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
shape? Have you checked
all levels?
the lenses clean?
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving?
Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Lights: Are they all working? Are
Tires: They are vitally important to a