1995 Oldsrnobile Silhouette Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems .......................................................... 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts\
properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Oldsmobile.\
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..............
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and audio system.
Your Driving and the Road .......................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the
conditions.
Problems on the Road ...........................
.................................... 3-1
comfort controls and how to operate your-
.................................... 4-1
road and how to drive under different
.................................... 5-1
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care.. ....................................................... 6-1
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Oldsmobile running \
properly and looking good.
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information ..................................................... 8-1
This section tells you how
to contact Oldsmobile for assistancc and how to get service publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page
8-4.
Index ........................................................................\
..... 9-1
Here‘s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
i
ProCarManuals.com
L
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAlTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e e3
TURN
WARNING
A
HAZARD
FLASHER
HIGH
LAMPSoR BEAM = zo
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP --
ENGINE
CHARGING BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
RADIATOR COOLANT
a
FUEL
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
w4
TEMP OIL pk;
ANTI-LOCK (a)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
RADIO
VOLUME
CONDITIONING
43
TRUNX~
RELEASE
HORN
)tr
SPEAKER
b
V
ProCarManuals.com
Ignition Switch
ACCE
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACCESSORY An ON position in which you can
operate your electrical power accessories. Press
in the
ignition switch
as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK: The only position in which you can remove the
key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
transaxle.
OFF: This position unlocks the steering wheel, ignition,
and transaxle, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories. Use this position
if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try
to push-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if
you open the
driver’s door when the ignition is off and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN: An ON position to which the switch returns after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in
the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
2-23
ProCarManuals.com
START This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are
ON positions that allow
you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
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.
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.
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.
To Start Your 3.1L V6 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.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com
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, hold your key in
START.
If it doesn’t start in three seconds (or starts
but then stops), push the accelerator pedal about
one-quarter of the way down for
12 more seconds, or
until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try this:
Wait
15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Then push your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor. Hold it there. Then hold the key in START.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. When
the engine starts, let
go of the key and the accelerator
pedal.
If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and repeat this step.
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 3800 V6 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.
2-25
ProCarManuals.com
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, hold your key in
START
for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery.
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. 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. After
waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting
procedure.
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
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.
, properly.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com
Driving Through Deep Standing Water Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
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.
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 "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.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com
I NOTICE: I
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.
~~ ~ ~ - ~
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the weather, the kind of oil you have,
and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything
here, we
ask that you contact your Oldsmobile retailer in the
area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The retailer can \
give you the best advice for
that particular area.
Shifting the Automatic Transaxle
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
R NOD21 1
2-28
ProCarManuals.com