1994 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE traction control

Your Driving and the Rod
142
surfaces because stopping distance will
be longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced
traction, try your best to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration, or braking
(including engine braking by shifting to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes
could cause the tires to slide.
You may
not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle
is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues
- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface”
- and slow down when you have any
doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking
system
(ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to
reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may
need to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher
speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a
safe place and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the
daytime. But as we get older these
differences increase.
A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at
night
as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also
affect your night vision. For example, if
you spend the day in bright sunshine
you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to
night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear
sunglasses at night. They may cut down
on glare from headlights, but they also
make a lot
of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It can take a second
or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from
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Whatever the condition - smooth ice,
packed, blowing or loose snow
- drive
with caution.
If you have the traction control system,
keep the system on. It will improve your
ability to accelerate when driving on a
slippery road. Even though your vehicle
has a traction control system, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your
driving to the road conditions. See
Traction Control System in the Index.
If you don’t have the traction control
system, accelerate gently. Try not to
break the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will
spin and polish the surface under the
tires even more.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your
ability to make a hard stop
on a slippery
road. Even though you have an anti-
lock braking system, you’ll want to
begin stopping sooner than you would
on dry pavement. See
Anti-lock in the
Index.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road
might be fine until you hit a spot that’s
covered with ice.
On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the
sun
can’t reach: around clumps of trees,
behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or
an overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see
a patch of ice ahead of you, brake
before you are
on it. Try not to brake
while you’re actually on the ice, and
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you
could be in a serious situation.
You
should probably stay with your vehicle
unless you know for sure that you are
near help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do to
summon help and keep yourself and
your passengers safe: Turn on your
hazard flashers. Tie a red cloth to your
vehicle
to alert police that you’ve been
stopped by the snow. Put on extra
clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
149
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I NOTICE:
Don’t take your compact spare
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare
can get caught on the rails. That
can damage the tire and wheel, and
maybe other parts of your vehicle.
~
Don’t use your compact spare on some
other vehicle.
And don‘t mix your compact spare or
wheel with other wheels or tires. They
won’t fit. Keep your spare and its whec
together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact
spare. Using them will damage your
vehicle and destroy the chains too.
Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
IfYou%e Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your
vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels.
The method known as “rocking” can
help
you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts
of your vehicle as well as the
tires. If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your
transaxle.
Rocking Yowr Vehicle to Get it Out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around
your front wheels.
If you have the
optional traction control system, you
should turn it off. (See
Traction CorztroZ
System in the Index.) Then shift back
and forth between
R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the
transaxle is in gear. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be
towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle in
the
Index.
1 79
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Service &Appearance Care
21 0
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature
performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate
of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half (1 %)
times as well on the government course
as a tire graded
100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction-A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest are:
A, B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire
marked
C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest)
B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded
on the
sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or
optional equipment on General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these
grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and
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r&
p.L34
R-WIPER
F-WIPER
c-,
HTR-AIC
m3 R-BLWR
1
Position Rating
(AMP.)
CTSY
ELC HORN
STOP HAZ
RDOl/AUX
TAIL
ABS ECM
TURN B/U
GAGE
LPS
RD02
WIPER
FmIPER
IGN
HTR A/C
R BLWR 15
20
15
15
20
15
3
10
15
7.5
7.5
15
20
25
15
25
25
Circuitry
Dome
Lamps! Courtesy Lamps, Power Door Lock Switches, Glove Box
Lamp, Power Mirrors, Power Sliding Delay Lock Module
Auto Level Control, Underhood Lamp
Horns, Horn Relay, Safety Belt Buzzer
Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Side Marker Lamps, Rear Stop Lamps,
Instrument Cluster Turn Indicator Lamps
Radio, Front Cigar Lighter, Accessory Power Outlet
Front Park Lamps, Rear Tail Lamps, Front Side Marker Lamps, License
Plate Lamp, Radio, Heat/Vent/AC Control Head, Power Sliding Door
Anti-Lock Bralte/Traction Control System
Mass Air Flow Sensor, Electronic Control Module
Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Side Marker Lamps, Cluster Turn Telltale,
Back-up Lamps,
Fog Lamps
Cluster, Anti-Lock Brake System Lamp Module, Elec. Level Control Sensor
Cluster, Radio, Wiper Switch, Headlamp Switch, Rear Blower Switch,
Heat/Vent/AC Control Head, Door Switch Illumination, Front/Rear
Ashtray Illumination Bulbs
Radio
Rear Wiper/Washer Motors; Overhead Console Compass
Front Wipermasher Motor
A/C Solenoid Box, Temp. Door Motor, Low Blower Relay; Heat/Vent/AC
Control Head; Cooling Fan Relay; Rear Defogger Relay; Key Chime;
Transaxle Converter Clutch Solenoid and Generator Charge Discrete
Front/Rear Blower Motors, High Blower Relay
Rear Blower, Rear Heat/Vent/AC
221
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Remote Control ................................ 48 .. Sliding Door ..................................... 52
Long Distance Driving
..................... 146
Low Battery
...................................... 158
Low Fuel Warning ............................ 101
Low Oil Pressure Warning
............... 102
Low Traction Light
........................... 105
Lubricants and Fluids ...................... 227
Luggage Carrier
.................................. 92
Maintenance Record
..................... 246
Maintenance Schedule
..................... 234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........... 106
Manual Front Seat
............................. 12
Manual Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt
..... 23
Methanol in Gasoline
....................... 183
Mileage Indicator
Mirrors (see
Odometer G. Speedometer)
Inside
Manual Day/Night ............... 86
Outside Convex
............................... 87
Power Remote Control
.................... 87
Mountain Driving
............................ 147
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Night Driving
................................... 142
Night Vision
..................................... 142
Visor Vanity
..................................... 88
Requirements ........................... 57.
152 Octane
Requirements
(see
Fuel Requirements)
Odometer & Speedometer ................. 99
Oil. Engine
........................................ 190
Pressure Gage
................................ 102
Pressure Indicator
......................... 101
Quality
........................................... 19 1
Thickness ....................................... 192
Used Oil
......................................... 194
When to Change
............................ 193
Oil Warning
...................................... 101
Outside Rearview Mirrors ................. 87
Overhead Console
........................ 79. 95
Overheated Engine
........................... 165
Warnings ................ 166. 187. 198. 199
Owner Checks
& Services ............... 240
Rrk. Shifting Into
............................. 66
Parking Over Things That Burn
................... 67
Parking Brake
..................................... 65
Passenger Belts (see
Safety Belts)
Passing .............................................. 140
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.. 243
Polishing and Waxing
With
the Engine Running
........... 67. 68
Payload
............................................. 206
(see
Appearance Care )
Power (Anti-Lock) Brakes ............... 135 Power
Door Locks
............................. 46
Power Mirrors
.................................... 87
Power Outlet. Accessory
.................... 84
Power Seat Controls
.......................... 13
Power Sliding Door .................... 52. 107
Power Steering
................................. 138
Power Steering Fluid ....... 199.225. 227
Power Windows
......................... 70. 223
During
.............................................. 30
Problems on the Road
...................... 157
Publications
...................................... 254
Pregnancy.
Use
of Safety Belts
Radiator Overheating
(see
Overheated Engine )
Radiator Pressure Cap ..................... 199
Radio (see
Audio Systems)
Reading Lights .................................... 80
Rear Climate Control
....................... 113
Rear Interior Lights ............................ 84
Rear Seats
........................................... 15
Removing ......................................... 16
Replacing
......................................... 18
Third Row Entry .............................. 15
Rear Window Defogger .................... 115
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
...... 79
Rearview Mirror
................................. 86
Reclining Seatbaclts
........................... 13
.. Ad~ustmg .......................................... 17
267
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Starting Your Vehicle if the Battery is
Steering “Dead” (see
Jump Starting)
In Emergencies .............................. 139
Off-Road Recovery ........................ 140
Power
............................................. 138
Tips ................................................ 138
Steering Wheel. Tilt ............................ 69
Steering Wheel Touch Controls
...... 127
Stereo Sound Systems
(see
Audio Systems )
Storing Your Vehicle ........................ 203
Compact Overhead Console
........... 95
Compartment
................................... 83
Cup Holder ...................................... 89
Locking Bin ..................................... 90
Luggage Carrier
............................... 92
Overhead Console
........................... 79
Rear Compartment
.......................... 91
Sunglasses
........................................ 83
Stuck. If You Are ........................... 179
Sunroof
............................................... 95
Sun Visors
.......................................... 87
Supplemental Restraint
System
(SRS) ................................... 26
Storage
Convenience Net
............................. 91
Garage Door Opener
....................... 80
Glove Boxes
..................................... 88
T achometer ....................................... 99
Taillights
........................................... 204
Tape Player (see
Audio Systems)
Technical Facts & Specifications
Bulbs
...................................... 228. 229
Capacities
& Specifications .......... 224
Circuit Brealters/Relays
................. 222
Add-on
......................... 60. 117. 219
Engine
............................................ 226
Fluids
& Lubricants ...................... 227
Fuses
.............................. 219. 220. 221
Replacement Parts
......................... 226
Service Parts Identification
Label
............................................ 218
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
........................................... 218
Temperature Display
.......................... 81
Temperature Warning ...................... 103
Theft
.................................................... 50
Thermostat ....................................... 199
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 69
Time. Setting the
.............................. 117
Tire Loading
..................................... 206
Tires
.................................................. 207
“Blow Out”
.................................... 172
Buying New
................................... 209
Chains
.................................... 178. 212
Electrical
Equipment.
Flat. Changing
............................... 172 Inflation
................... 85. 172. 178.
208
Loading
.......................................... 206
Pressure
......................................... 208
Quality Grading
............................. 210
Spare. Compact
............................. 178
Wear Indicators
............................. 209
Wheel Alignment
& Tire
Balance
........................................ 211
Wheel Replacement
....................... 211
Torque Lock
....................................... 67
Towing a Trailer
............................... 151
Inspection & Rotation ................... 208
Wheel Nut Torque
................. 177, 225
Top Strap
............................................ 36
Towing Your Vehicle
....................... 162
Traction Control System
................... 137
Traction Control System
Warning Light
................................ 105
Trailer Towing
.................................. 151
Brakes ............................................ 154
Maintenance .................................. 156
Parking on
Hills .............................. 156
Safety Chains
................................. 154
(see
Automatic Transaxle)
(see Automatic Transaxle)
Transaxle, Automatic
Transmission, Automatic
Trip Odometer
.................................... 99
Turn Signal Indicator ......................... 71
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
...... 70 269
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