New Vehicle LLBreak-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Oldsmobile doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better
in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five
different positions.
C
D
A E
ACCESSORY (A): ACCESSORY lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine
is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was
before you inserted the
key.
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Starting Your 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.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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-:
2.
3.
If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, or until it starts.
If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), wait
15 seconds and start over.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
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 engine 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.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
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 -- press the button on the shift lever and
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. See “Shifting Out of PARK
(P)”
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
I NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transmission.
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 transmission, see
“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.
I
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
~~~
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@): This position is for
normal driving. If
you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@) should not be used
when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving
on
steep hills or for off-road driving. Select THIRD (3) when
operating the vehicle under any
of these conditions.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power but lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
((LO). You
should use THIRD
(3) when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or winding roads or
for off-road driving.
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
your brakes off and
on.
You can also use SECOND (2) for starting your vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
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
selector lever is put
in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into
FIRST (1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
I NOTICE:
If your rear 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. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transmission. Use
your brakes or shift into PARK
(P) to hold your
vehicle in position on
a hill.
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Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol
on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band t.o
MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one wipe. If
you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful
in light rain or
snow. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The
closer to
LOW, the shorter the delay. For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away
from you to the LOW position. For high-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to
HIGH. To stop the wipers,
move the band
to the OFF position.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do becomc
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle
marked with the windshield washer symbol and
PUSH.
To spray washer fluid on the windshield, press the
paddle. The wipers will clear
the window and then
either stop
or return to your preset speed.
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
2-26
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Door Storage
You will find a storage compartment on each of the
doors. Cupholders are
on the rear doors.
Convenience Net
Front Storage Area
Lift the armrest cover of the console compartment to
reveal a coinholder and additional storage. Ribs have
been provided for convenient storage of cassette tapes
and compact discs.
A storage compartment under your radio may be used to
hold small items. Front cupholders are also provided
on
the console. Both have liners that are easily removed
for cleaning.
A convenience net in the rear of your vehicle helps keep
small items, like gloves and light clothing
in place
during sharp turns or quick stops and starts.
The net
is not designed to retain these items during
off-road use. The net is not for larger, heavier items.
The convenience net
is anchored to the endgate door.
Attach the upper loops to the retainers
on either side of
the endgate opening (the label should be
in the upper
passenger’s side corner, visible from the rear of vehicle).
Attach the lower hooks to the rear cargo tie-downs on
the floor.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That‘s normal.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, your engine is
too hot!
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your Oldsmobile needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes.
See “Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this part.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem. It
means that your engine coolant has overheated.
Tf you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,”
this manual shows you what
to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction
by considering the following:
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If
the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady’’ following.
If the light continues
to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle
to your retailer or
qualified. service center for service. Did you
just put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This
will
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries
out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
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