
J 
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 
Q 
CAUSTIC 
BURNS AVOID 
SPARKS 
OR 
FLAMES 
SPARK 
OR ,\I/, 
COULD  FLAME 
EXPLODE  BAllERY 
These symbols are important 
for  you  and 
your passengers 
whenever your 
vehicle  is 
driven: 
UNLOCK w. 
FASTEN 
SEAT 
BELTS 
POWER 
WINDOW 
These symbols 
have to  do with 
your lights: 
SIGNALS e e3 
TURN 
RUNNING 
* 0 
DAYTIME 
LAMPS 
FOG  LAMPS 
# 0 
These symbols 
are on some 
of 
your  controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
WINDOW 
DEFOGGER 
These symbols  are  used  on 
warning and 
indicator lights: 
COOLANT 
TEMP 
- 
CHARGING I-1 
BAllERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(a) 
COOLANT a 
ENGINE OIL w, 
PRESSURE 
ANTI-LOCK 
(@) 
BRAKES 
Here are some 
other symbols 
you  may  see: 
FUSE 
LIGHTER 
m 
HORN )tr 
SPEAKER 
I@ 
FUEL la  

PASS-Key I1 uses  a resistor pellet  in the  ignition  key 
that  matches  a decoder  in  your vehicle. 
When  the PASS-Key  I1  system senses that  someone  is 
using  the wrong  key,  it shuts down  the  vehicle’s  starter 
and  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 or 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 
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 11. 
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 
I1 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  I1  system, however,  is 
not  working  properly  and  must  be serviced by  your 
Oldsmobile  retailer. Your vehicle is  not  protected  by 
the  PASS-Key  I1  system. 
If  you  lose or damage a  PASS-Key  I1 ignition key,  see 
your  Oldsmobile retailer or 
a locksmith  who  can service 
PASS-Key 
11 to  have a  new  key  made. 
2-9  

Yneine  Coolant  Heater  (Option) 
In very  cold weather, 
0°F (- 18 O C) or  colder, 
the engine  coolant  heater 
can  help.  You’ll  get 
I 
easier  starting  and better 
fuel  economy  during 
engine  warm-up. 
A CAUTION: 
Plugging  the 
could  cause  an electrical  shock.  Also,  the  wrong 
kind 
of extension  cord  could  overheat  and  cause 
a  fire. 
You could  be  seriously  injured.  Plug  the 
cord  into  a  properly  grounded  three-prong 
110-volt  AC  outlet. 
If the  cord  won’t  reach,  use a 
heavy-duty  three-prong  extension  cord  rated for 
at  least 15 amps. 
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  AC  outlet. 
4. 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  outside  temperature,  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.  

AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE (0): This  position is for 
normal  driving.  It is  the  ovetdrive  position.  If  you  need 
more  power  for passing,  and  you’re: 
- Going  less  than 35 mph (56 km/h), push  your 
accelerator  ppdal  about  halfway  down. 
- Going  about 35 mph (56 km/h) or  more,  push  the 
accelerator  pedal  all  the  way  down. 
You’ll  shift  down  to  the next  gear  and  have 
more  power. 
i 
NOTICE: 
If  your  vehicle  seems  to 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  AUTOMATIC 
OVERDRIVE 
(a) for  higher  speeds. 
THIRD (3): This  position  is also  used  for normal 
driving,  but  it offers  more  power  and  lower  fuel 
economy  than  AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE 
(0). 
Here are some  times  you  might  choose  THIRD (3) 
instead of AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE (0)): 
- 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 
your  brakes  off  and  on. 
between  gears. 
6  

NOTICE: 
Don’t drive  in  SECOND (2) for more  than 
25 miles (41 km) at speeds  over 55 mph 
(88 km/h), or you  can damage your transaxle. 
Use  AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE 
(@) or 
THIRD 
(3) as  much as possible. 
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.  You could  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. 
2-17  

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  

Malfunction  Indicator  Lamp (Service  Engine  Soon  Light) 
I 
SERVICE 
ENGINE SOON 
Your  Oldsmobile  is 
equipped  with  a  computer 
which  monitors  operation 
of  the  fuel,  ignition  and 
emission  control systems. 
This  system  is called  OBD 
I1 (On-Board 
Diagnostics-Second  Generation)  and  is intended 
to  assure  that  emissions 
are at acceptable  levels  for 
the  life  of  the  vehicle,  helping  to produce  a  cleaner 
environment.  (In  Canada, 
OBD I1 is  replaced  by 
Enhanced  Diagnostics.)  The SERVICE  ENGINE SOON 
light  comes  on  to indicate  that  there  is a  problem  and 
service 
is required.  Malfunctions  often will be indicated 
by  the system  before  any  problem  is apparent,  which 
may  prevent  more serious  damage to your  vehicle. This 
system  is also  designed  to assist  your  service  technician 
in  correctly  diagnosing  any  malfunction. 
NOTICE: 
If  you  keep  driving  your  vehicle  with  this  light 
on,  after  a  while,  your  emission  controls  may  not 
work  as well,  your  fuel  economy  may  not  be  as 
good  and  your  engine  may  not  run  as smoothly. 
This  could  lead  to costly  repairs  that  may  not  be 
covered  by  your  warranty. 
This  light  should  come on, as a  check  to show you it is 
working,  when  the  ignition  is on  and  the  engine  is not 
running.  If  the  light  doesn’t  come on,  have  it repaired. 
This  light  will  also come  on  during  a  malfunction  in  one 
of  two  ways: 
Light  Flashing -- A misfire  condition  has been 
detected. 
A misfire  increases  vehicle  emissions  and 
may  damage  the  emission  control  system  on  your 
vehicle.  Retailer  or  qualified  service  center  diagnosis 
and  service  is required. 
Light  On  Steady -- An  emission  control  system 
malfunction  has been  detected  on  your  vehicle. 
Retailer  or qualified  service  center  diagnosis  and 
service  may  be  required. 
2-51  

0 Reduce  vehicle  speed. 
0 Avoid  hard  accelerations. 
Avoid  steep  uphill  grades. 
I 0 If towing  a  trailer,  reduce  the  amount  of  cargo  being 
hauled  as soon  as  it is  possible. 
If  the  lightstops  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 
1 previous  steps,  and  drive  the vehicle  to your  retailer  or 
qualified  service  center  for service. 
1 
If the Light Is On Steady 
You  may  be  able  to  correct  the  emission  system 
malfunction  by  considering  the.following: 
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  .evap.orate  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. 
Are  you  low  on  fuel? 
As  your  engine  starts  to  run  out  of  fuel,  your  engine  may 
not 
run as  efficiently  as  designed  since  small  amounts  of 
air are  sucked  into  the  fuel line causing  a  misfire. 
The 
system  can  detect  this.  Adding  fuel should  correct  this 
condition.  Make  sure  to  install  the  fuel cap  properly.  It 
will  take  a  few  driving  trips  to  turn  the  light  off.