1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme traction control

A CAUTION:
0
0 Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely
at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
I Setting Cruise Control
A CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit
a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep
the cruise control switch
OFF until you want
to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button
at the end
of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
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Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get
in a curve depends on the
condition
of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which
the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want
to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a
truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right
in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking
-- if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time \
for
evasive action
-- steering around the problem.
Your Oldsmobile can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking in
Emergencies” earlierin this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then ste.er around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
4-9

A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
4-13

, .. .. .. .. I I
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial .and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly,'and you could have
a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use
on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United',States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger
I 6-46

Traction --,A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions
’
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the rriinimum required by law.
. representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of Warning:
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall Performance.
In most cases, you will not.need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
6-47

Sound Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-26
Spare Tire. Compact
.............................. 5-33
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-69
Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-69
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-3
Speedometer
................................... 2-44
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-50
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-38
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2- 12
Steam
........................................ 5-13
Steering
....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-39
In Emergencies ................................ 4-9
. Power ....................................... 4-8
Tips
......................................... 4-8
Variable Assist
................................ 4-8
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-25
Steering Wheel Touch Control
................. 3-9. 3-25
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-37
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-29
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-34
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-40
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1 - 19
Symbols. Vehicle
................................... v
Tachometer .................................. 2-44
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
.................. 6-38. 6-39
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-27
Temperature Knob. Automatic and Auxiliary
Temp Control
.............................. 3-4. 3-5
Temperature Knob. Climate Control System
........... 3-1
SRS
......................................... 1-19
Sunroof
....................................... 2-41 Theft
.......................................... 2-8
Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player
................ 3-23
Thermostat
.................................... 6-24
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-16
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-25
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-9
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-49
TireLoading
................................... 4-27
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-27
Tires
......................................... 6-42
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-47
BuyingNew
................................. 6-45
Chains
..................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat
............................... 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-56
Compact Spare
............................... 5-33
Inflation
.................................... 6-42
Inflation Check
............................... 7-36
Loading
.................................... 4-27
Pressure
.................................... 6-42
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-47
Treadwe ar
................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-45
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-45
TopStrap
..................................... 1-39
TorqueLock
................................... 2-21
Torque. Wheel
Nut .............................. 5-30
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-29
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-7
THEPrZOCK"
................................. 3-23
Inspection and Rotation
.................... ... 6-44