
Vehicle  Symbols 
These are some of the symbols you may  find on your  vehicle. 
3. 
For  example, 
these  sym%ols 
are  used  on  an 
original  battery: 
POSSIBLE A 
CAUTION 
INJURY 
PROTECT  EYES  BY 
SHIELDING 
CAUSTIC 
BURNS 
SPARKS 
OR 
FLAMES 
SPARK 
OR 
FLAME ,I#$, 
COULD 
EXPLODE 
BATTERY 
These  symbols are  important 
for  you  and 
your  passengers 
whenever  your  vehicle  is 
driven: 
POWER 
WINDOW n- 
These  symbols 
have  to  do  with  your  lights: 
SIGNALS e 
TURN 
pA;:z 
pf 
WARNING A 
HAZARD 
FLASHER 
HIGH 
LAMPSoR BEAM = =o 
FOG  LAMPS 3 0 ' 
These  symbols 
are  on some 
of 
your  controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
'r' -4 
WINDSHIELD 6$ 
WASHER I 
WINDSHIELD 
DEFROSTER 
REAR 
WINDOW 
DEFOGGER 
VENTILATING 
b 
. FAN 
These  symbols  are  used 
on 
warning  and 
indicator  lights: 
CHARGING ,I-1 
BAllERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(a) 
RADIATOR COOLANT 
a 
ENGINE OIL 
PRESSURE Wh 
. TEMP  OIL 
ANTI-LOCK 
(@) 
BRAKE 
Here  are  some 
other  symbols 
you  may  see: 
FUSE 
RADIO 
k 
VOLUME a 
CONDITIONING AIR 43 
LIGHTER k 
SPEAKER 
b 
V  

.(I 
Low  Oil  Level  Light 
Your engine is equipped’ 
wiih 
an oil  level  monitoring 
system.  When  the ignition 
key  is  turned  on,  the 
LOW 
V 
LOW.O(L 
LEVEL 
OIL LEVEL light  will 
briefly  flash. 
If the  light 
‘does  not  flash,  have it fixed 
I 8 - -1 so it will  be ready  to  warn 
I n 
I ‘A ‘n-1 , . 
you if there’s  a problem. 
- .. 
Security  Light 
I 
RESET 
80 
This light  will  come on 
when  you 
turn the  key  to 
start  and  stay  on until  the 
vehicle  starts. 
It will  also 
come  on  and  stay  on  if your 
key  is too  dirty  or  wet  for 
the  PASS-Key%  system  to 
read  the  resistor  pellet. 
, 
If the  light  stays  on,,  stop the  vehicle  on  a level  surface 
and  turn  the  engine 
off. Check  the  oil  level  using  the 
engine oil  dipstick. (See “Engine  Oil”  in the  Index.)  If 
thti  light  does not  flash,  have 
the low  oil  level  sensor 
system  repaired 
so it will  be ready  to  warn  you  if  there’s 
a  problem. 
The 
oil level  monitoring  system only  checks  oil  level 
during  the  brief  period  between  key  on  and  engine 
crank.  It  does  not monitor  engine oil  level  when  the 
engine is  running.  Additionally, 
an oil level  check.is 
only  performed  if  the  engine has been  turned 
off for- a 
considerable  period 
of time,  allowing the  oil  normally  in 
circulation  to  drkn back  into  the  oil  pan. 
If the  resistor  pellet is damaged  or missing,  the light will 
flash. 
If you’re  driving  and  the  security  light comes  on 
and remains  on,  your  PASS-Key’II system is not 
working  pro erly.  Your  vehicle  is  not  protected  by 
PASS-Key 
2 11,  and  you  should  see your  retailer. 
2-54 
t  

Head-Up  ,Display  (Option) 
If you have the Head-Up Display (HUD),  you  can see 
the  speedometer  reading,  in English or  metric  units, 
displayed  “through”  the  windshield. 
The  HUD 
also shows these lights  when  they are lit on 
the instrument  panel: 
0 Turn Signal  Indicators 
0 High-Beam  Indicator  Symbol 
Low Fuel Symbol 
Oil  Warning  Symbol 
0 Coolant Temperature.Symbo1 
Charging System Symbol 
I 
When  you sit straight  in  your  seat,  the  HUD  image will 
appear  slightly  to  the  right. 
When  the  ignition  key  is  turned  to  RUN,  all possible 
HUD  images  will come  on. Then  the  Head-Up  Display 
will  operate  normally. 
NOTICE: 1. 
Although  the HXJD image  appears  to  be  near  the 
front  of  the  vehicle,  do  not  use  it  as  a  parking  aid.  The 
.HUD was  not  designed  for  that  purpose. If 
you  try  to  use  it  that  way,-such  as  in,a parking 
lot,  you  may  misjudge  distance  and  run  into 
something. 
J 
2-55 
. ..  

use  this  type of cleaner,  the  radio  may display  an  error' 
and eject the  cartridge. 
This is nongal  and is the  result 
of  an  added  feature  in the  tape  player  that  detects  broken 
tapes. 
If an  error  occurs,  you  will  need  to  insert the ; 
cleaning  cassette  at  least three  times  to  thoroughly  clean 
the  tape  player. 
You may  prefer to use a non-scrubbing  action, wet-type 
cleaner. 
This type of cleaner  uses  a  fabrio  belt  to  clean 
the  tape  head.  This type of cleaner  cassette  will  not- 
cause  an error,  but it may not ckan  the tape  player  as 
thoroughly  as  the  scrubbing-type  cleaner. 
n scrubbing action  cleaner is available through your 
retailer 
(GM Part No. 12344600). 
Cassettes  are  subject  'to wear,  and  the  sound  quality  may 
degrade over  time. Always  verify  that  the  cassette  tape 
is 
in good  condition  and the tape  player  is clean  before 
obtaining  service  on  your  tape  player. 
Care of Your Compact  Discs 
Handle  discs  carefully.  Store them in  th,eir  original  cases 
or  other  protective  cases  and  away  from direct  sunlight 
and  dust. 
If the surface of a  disc  is  soiled,  dampen  a 
clean,  soft  cloth  ,in 
a mild,  neutral  detergent  solution  and 
clean  it, wiping  from the  center  to  the  edge. 
Be  sure  never  to  touch  the  signal  surface  when  handling 
discs.  Pick  up  discs  by  grasping  the  outer  edges 
or the 
edge  of the  hole  and the outer  edge. 
Fixed  Mast  Antenna 
The  fixed  mast  antenna can  withstand  most  car  washes 
without  being  damaged. 
If the  mast  should  ever become 
slightly  bent,  you  can  straighten  it out  by  hand.  If  the 
mast 
is badly  bent,  as it might  be  by  van.dals,  you  should 
replace  it. 
I 
Check  every  once in  a while  to be  sure  the  mast  is still 
tightened  to  the fender. 
3-19  

3 Once you  are  m,oving  on  the freeway,  make  certain  you 
allow  a  reasonable  following distance. Expect to move 
slightly  slower  at night. 
When  you  want  to  leave the freeway,  move  to  the  proper 
lane well  in advance. 
If you-miss your exit do  not, under 
any  circumstances,  stop  and  back up. Drive  on to the 
next  exit. 
The exit ramp can be  curved, sometimes quite  sharply. 
The  exit speed is  usually.  posted. 
Reduce your speed according  to  your  speedometer, not 
to  your  sense  of motion.  After  driving  for any  distance 
at  higher  speeds,  you  may  tend  to  think  you  are  going 
slower’than  you  actually  are. 
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  retailers  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: 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
,Windshield  Washer Fluid: Is the  reservoir  full? Are 
all  windows  clean  inside  and outside? 
Wiper Blades: Are  they in good shape? 
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other FZuids: Have  you  checked 
all  levels? 
, 
Lights: Are  .they  all  working?  Are the lenses  clean? 
Tires: They  are  vitally  important to  a  safe, 
trouble-free  trip.  Is  the tread  gaod  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? 
,  

Parking  on Hills 
You really  should  not  park  your  vehicle,  with  a  trailer 
attached, 
on a hill. If something  goes  wrong,  your  rig 
could  start  to  move.  People  can be  injured,  and 
 both^ 
your  vehicle  and  the  trailer  can be darnaged. 
But  if  you  ever  have  to  park  your  rig  on  a  hill,  here’s 
how  to  do it: 
.I. Apply  your  regular  brakes,  but  don’t  shift  into 
.. !PARK (P) yet. 
2. ‘Have someone  place  chocks  under  the  trailer  wheels. 
3. When  the  wheel  chocks are  in  place,  release  the 
regular  brakes  until  the  chocks  absorb the  load. 
4. Reapply  the  regular  brakes.  Then  apply  your  parking 
brake,  and  then  shift  to  PARK 
(P). 
When You Are Ready to Leave  After 
Parking  o,n  a 
Hill 
1. Apply  your  regular  brakes  and  hold  the  pedal  down 
8’. . 
while  you: 
Start  your  engine; 
Shift  into  a  gear;  and 
Release  the  parking  brake. 
2. Let  up  on  the  brake  pedal. 
3. Drive  slowly  until  the  trailer  is  dear of the  chocks. 
4. Stop  and  have  someone  pick  up and  store  the  chocks. 
Maintenance  When  Trailer  Towing 
Your  vehicle  will  need  service  more  often  when  you’re 
pulling  a  trailer.  See the Maintenance  Schedule for,more 
.on  this.  Things  that  are  especially  important in trailer 
operation  are  automatic  transaxle  fluid  (don’t  oyerfill), 
engine  oil,  belt,  cooling  system,  .and  brake  adjustment. 
Each  of these 
is covered  in  this  manual,  and  the  Index 
will  help  you  find  them  quickly.  If you’re  trailering,  it’s 
a  good  idea 
to review  these  sections  before  you  start 
your  trip. 
Check  periodically  to  see  that  all hitch  nuts  and  bolts  are 
tight. 
4-34,  

3.4L LO1 (Code X) Engine Y The coolant  level  should  be  at  or  above  the COLD mark. 
If it isn’t,  you  may  have a  leak  in  the  radiator  hoses, 
heater  hoses,  radiator,  water 
pump or  somewhere else  in 
the 
cooling system. 
If the  coolant  inside  the  coolant  recovery  tank  is  boiling, 
don’t  do anything else (until it 
cools down. 
5-15  

I 
Gasolines  for  Cleaner  Air 
Your  use  of  gasoline  with  deposit  control  additives  will 
help  prevent  deposits  from  forming in your  engine  and 
fuel  system.  That  helps  keep  your  engine  in  tune  and 
your  emission  control  system  working  properly.  It’s 
good  for your  vehicle,  and  you’ll  be doing  your  part  for 
cleaner  air. 
Many  gasolines  are  now  blended  with  oxygenates.  General  Motors  recommends  that  you  use  gasolines  with 
these  blending  materials,  such  as MTBE  and  ethanol.  By 
doing 
so, you  can  help  clean  the  air,  especially  in those 
parts  of  the  country  that  have  high  carbon  monoxide  levels. 
In  addition,  some  gasoline  suppliers  are now  producing 
reformulated  gasolines.  These gasolines  are  specially 
designed  to  reduce  vehicle  emissions.  General  Motors 
recommends  that  you  use  reformulated  gasoline.  By  doing 
so, you  can  help  clean  the  air,  especially  in  those 
parts  of the  country  that  have high ozone  levels. 
You  should  ask your  service  station  operators  if  their 
gasolines  contain  deposit  control  additives  and 
oxygenates,  and 
if they  have  been  reformulated  to 
reduce  vehicle  emissions. 
Fuels in Foreign Countries 
If  you  plan  on  driving  in another  country  outside  the 
U.S. or Canada,  unleaded  fuel may  be  hard  to  find. Do 
not  use  leaded  gasoline. If you  use  even  one  tankful, 
your  emission  controls  won’t  work  well  or at all.  With 
continuous  use,  spark  plugs  can  get  fouled,  the  exhaust 
system  can  corrode,  and  your  engine  oil  can  deteriorate 
quickly.  Your  vehicle’s  oxygen  sensor  will  be  damaged. 
All  of  that  means  costly  repairs  that  wouldn’t  be  covered 
by  your  warranty. 
To  check  on  fuel availability,  ask  an  auto  club,  or 
contact  a  major  oil  company  that  does business  in  the 
country  where  you’ll  be  driving. 
You  can  also  write  us  at the  following  address  for 
advice.  Just  tell 
us where  you’re  going  and  give  your 
Vehicle  Identification  Number  (VIN). 
General  Motors  Overseas  Distribution  Corporation 
North  American  Export  Sales  (NAES) 
1908 Colonel  Sam  Drive 
Oshawa,  Ontario 
L1H 8P7 
6-4 .I