1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme instrument panel

MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel
outlets.
The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below
40°F (4.5 "C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
,+ e
fl VENT This setting brings in outside air and
directs
it through the instrument panel outlets.
+fl BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
directs it two ways. Half
of the air is directed through
the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents.
+H FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes
out of
the defroster and side window vents.
+e
e
w.
+' DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go
to the
floor ducts and half to the defrost and: side
window vents.
DEFROST This setting directs most of the air
through the defrost and side window vents. Some
of
the air goes to the floor ducts. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in
this setting unless
the outside temperature is below
40°F (4.5"C).
(Even when the compressor is running, you can control
the temperature.)
Air Conditioning Compressor Button
Press the A/C button to operate the air conditioning
compressor.
The indicator light above the button will
glow when the button
is pressed. You don't have to
press the button to run the compressor in
MAX
or DEFROST.

Passenger Temperature Knob
The knob on the
passenger's door adjusts
the air temperature
on
the passenger's side so
it is warmer or colder
than the temperature set.
by the driver.
Push the PASS button on the system face
so the light
on it is lit. Turn the knob on the door toward red
(clockwise) to raise the temperature. Turn it toward blue
(counterclockwise) to lower the temperature.
Mode Buttons
The center panel has several settings to control the direction \
of airflow when the system is not in AUTO. The indicator
light on the button will glow when the button is pressed.
RECIRC: This setting can recirculate either the air
inside of your vehicle or outside air and send it through
the instrument panel outlets. Press this button once and
it will recirculate outside air. Press it again and it will
recirculate the air inside
of your vehicle. This setting is
available in LOWER, DEFOG, UPPER and BI-LEV.
UPPER: This setting brings in outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV: This setting brings in the outside air and
directs it two ways. Half of the air is directed through
the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defrost
and side window vents.
LOWER: This setting sends most of the air through the
ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the defrost
and side window vents.
DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defrost and side window vents.
DEF: This setting directs most of the air through the
defrost and side window vents. Some of the air goes to
the floor ducts. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40°F (4.5"C).
Automatic Control
For the most efficient operation, you should press the knob
and set the system temperature. The system will select the
best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you comfortable.
The
air conditioning compressor will run if the outside
temperature is above 40°F
(4.5 "C). You may notice a delay
of three to four minutes before the fan comes on.
3-5

Thrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Oldsmobile retailer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash !whenever you signal a
turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs
are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you ,start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to. around
45 mph (70 krn/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating. If you
have overdrive, you may prefer to drive in
THIRD
(3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear).
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 damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
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).
5. Release the regular brakes. PARK
(P) yet.
4-34

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel.
See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index. You
also have a LOW COOLANT light on your instrument
panel.
See “Low Coolant Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you ’
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
~
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-13

Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. At a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM D4814 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) for better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA
-specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared to
other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when you’re
accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal, and you d\
on’t
have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’\
s the
heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem. If your vehicle
is certified to meet California Emission
Standards .(indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to .operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting .California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return
to your authorized Oldsmobile retailer for diagnosis
to determine the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return to your authorized Oldsmobile dealer for service.

it Fiy.
Engine Oil
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
LOW OIL
LEVEL
,If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot and the vehicle must
be on level ground.
i
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ1 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is- the yellow loop near
the front
of the engine.
6-10

Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain
if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean
cloth and a GM Vinymeather Cleaner or an
equivalent product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
0 .For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinymeather Cleaner
or an equivalent product.
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
0 Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt is
allowed to work into the finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
I A CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with-mild soap and
lukewarm water.
6-53

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER SIZE DESCRIPTION USAGE
1050004 2.75
sq. ft. Chamois Shines vehicle without scratching
1052929 16
oz. (0.473
L) Wheel Cleaner
Spray on wheel cleaner
1052930
8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture Dry Spot Remover Attracts and absorbs soils
12345002** 16
oz. (0.473 L) Armor All Cleaner Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725 12
oz. (0.354 L) Silicone Tire Shine Shines tires
See your General Motors
Parts Department for these products. , I I See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
**Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.