Page 71 of 340

Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine. You will find the
VIN at the top
left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps
to start the engine.
Automatic transaxle:
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only. .... - ,
I i
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped. Manual.
transaxle:
The gear selector should be in neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor
and start the engine. Your vehicle
won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down
--
that’s a safety feature.
To start your 2.3 Liter engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
I NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F, or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START.
Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does,
let go of the key.
2-15
Page 72 of 340

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key
in
START for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter
of the way down
for five
or six seconds.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your retailer.
If
you don’t, your engine might not perform
properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’ in the Index. To
start your
3.1 Liter engine:
I. Without pushing t.he accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
2-16
-
Page 76 of 340

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. 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 key is in the RUN position. 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
lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P)” later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE
(R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already
moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
I NOTICE: I
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
2-20
Page 82 of 340
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
Page 85 of 340

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
Page 88 of 340

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.
Page 92 of 340
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and turn off the ignition
while leaving the lamps on,
you will hear a warning
chime.
Flash-to-Pass (Except Canada)
Flash-to-pass lets you use your high beam headlamps to
signal a driver
in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer you.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high If your headlamps are off your high beam headlamps
will turn
on. They’ll stay on as long as you hold the to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way toward you.
Then release it. When the high beams are on, a blue
light
on the instrument panel also will be on. lever there. Release
thelever to turn them
off.
If your headlamps are on, there will be no flash-to-pass
feature. Use the lever
to change between high and low
beams.
2-36
Page 99 of 340
To Get Out of Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have
a manual transaxle; OR
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
To Erase Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
I A lNTER’OR 7
A LIGHTS
You can brighten or dim the instrument cluster lights by
rotating the wheel. Rotate the wheel all the way down to
turn
off the instrument cluster lights and displays.
Rotate
the wheel all the way up to turn on the courtesy
lamps.
2-43