
PASS-Key@II
r
J
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key’II (Personalized Automotive
Security System) -theft
deterrent system.
PASS-Key’II is a passive
theft deterrent system. This
means you don’t have to
do anything different to
arm or disarm the system.
It works when you insert or remove the key from the
ignition. PASS-Key’II uses a resistor pellet in the
ignition key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key@II system senses that someone
is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter an\
d
fuel systems. For about three minutes,
.the starter won’t
work and fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone tries
to
start your vehicle again Or uses another key during this
time, the vehicle will not
start. This discourages someone
from randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets in
an attempt to make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition dr the- engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light is on, the
key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition off. Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The security light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the\
Index). If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
q vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Oldsmobile retailer
or a locksmith who can service the PASS-Key’II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter‘won’t work, and the SECURITY light will come on. But you don’t have to
wait three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your Oldsmobile retailer or a locksmith who can
service the PASS-Key@II
to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it
off. Your PASS-Key’II system, however, is not
working properly and must be serviced by your
Oldsmobile retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key@II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key@II ignition key, see
your Oldsmobile retailer or a, locksmith who can service
PASS-Key@II to have a new key made.
2-10
.. .

To start your 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.
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 staq (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 sec,onds. 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.
I
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.
\. 2-13
.

Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come
in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep
it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
2-14.
’
. ..

DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. It is the
Overdrive position. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
- Going less than 35 mph (56 M), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kmh) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems tb start up rather slowly, or
if it seems not to
shift gears as you go faster,
something
may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (56 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for
higher speeds. THIRD
(3): THIRD (3) is like DRIVE (D),
but you
never
go into Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose THIRD
(3)
instead of DRIVE (D):
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
- When going down a steep hill.
SECOND
(2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
between gears.
lr
brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle. Use
DRIVE
@) or THIRD (3) as much aspossible.
Don’t
shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.

., ‘
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power - .
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills,
or in deep. snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (l), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
..
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might ,happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud- or were’up against
a solid
object. Youxould damage your ,transaxle.
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold.
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes.or
shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
I 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.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
clown with your right foot and push
the parking brake
pd with your left foot. men you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it
to the released position.
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.

HOT APPLY BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM PARK ,/ \ UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
United States Version Shown, Canadian Similar
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how -fast
you’re
going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.
2-43
- -.

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and,gages that
may be
on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is
wrong before it becomFs serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning.lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working.
If you are
‘familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one-of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you
what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even dangerous.
So please
get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re
a big help.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel
YOU
have left when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have
a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon.
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY I
I
Here are some things owners ask about. All these
situations are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
0 At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
0 . It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the
tank was half full, but it actually took a little more
or less
than half the tank‘s capacity to fill it.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
2-45

I
Low Fuel Light
If your fuel is low, a light
will come on and stay on
until you add fuel. It will
also come on for a few
secQnds when you
first turn
on the ignition as a check to
show you it's working.
If it
doesn't come
on then, have
it fixed.