1995 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manuals

Shift Speeds (Manual Transaxle)
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
Acceleration Shift Speeds
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd
3rd to 4th
4th to 5th 15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine
is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear.
You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
I NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race
the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch or
transaxle.
2-25
-

Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake hold the regular
brake pedal down with
your right foot. Push
down the parking
brake pedal with your
left foot.
If the ignition
is on, the brake system
warning light will
come on.
To release the parking
brake
hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull
the
BRAKE
RELEASE lever.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
2-26

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like
this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
0 Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
2-27

3.
4.
Move the key to LOCK.
Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away
from your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK
(P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic ’Ramaxle Models Only)
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly
set before you leave it. After you’ve moved
the shift lever
into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into
PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in
the transaxle. You may find it diffkult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
before you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of
PARK (P).
2-28

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your Oldsmobile has a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You have to apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P)
-- as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever.)
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking
brake.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer,
see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF, not LOCK.
2. Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
step
4.
2-29

Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust
A CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves,
dry grass or other things that
can burn. smell. It can cause unconsciousness and,.death.
: ..:.

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure
your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
2-31
. ~~

Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (Option)
With power windows, switches on the driver’s armrest
control each
of the windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each passenger
door
has a control switch for its
own window.
The driver’s window switch has an Auto Down feature.
The driver’s window can be opened
a small amount by
pressing the switch rearward for less than one second.
When the switch
is held rearward for more than
one second and then released, the window will go
down all the way.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the
switch, then release.
To raise the window, press and hold the switch forward.
Power Window Lock-Out Switch (Option)
On four-door models, this switch disables all passenger
power window switches. Push the right side of the
switch to lock the window switches. Push the left side of
the switch to unlock the window switches.
The Lock-Out Switch prevents passengers from opening
and closing windows. The driver can still control all
of
the windows with the switch in the lock position.