1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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I
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave
it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).
-1
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight
of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours
a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Oldsmobile has Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P), when the ignition
is
in the RUN position. See “Automatic Transaxle
Operation”
in the Index.
As you step
on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you
may hear a click from the solenoid of the
BTSI. This
ensures that the BTSI
is operating properly.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of
PARK
(P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
I
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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Engine Exhaust
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
0 Your exhaust system sounds strange
0 Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
0 Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
0 Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
0 Repairs weren’t done correctly.
0 Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
0 Drive it only with all the windows down to
0 Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or
different.
modified improperly.
blow out any CO; and
Running Your Engine While
You’re
Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if th
fan switch is at the highest setting. One place this
can happen
is a garage. Exhaust -- with CO -- can
come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the
engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in the Index.)
2-36
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A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the manual crank to open and close the front windows.
Power Windows (Option)
2-37
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If you have power windows, the switches on the driver's
door armrest control the front windows (when the ignition
is on). The left switch controls the driver's window. The
right switch controls
the passenger's window.
The driver's power window switch has two down
positions. Hold the rear
of the switch in the first position
to lower the window normally.
To activate the auto-down feature, fully press the rear of
the switch, then release. The window will lower
completely.
To stop the window from lowering all the
way, press the front
of the switch.
To raise the window, press and hold the front of the switch.
,atches
The rear of the side windows swings open.
To open, pull the latch forward to release
it, then swing
the window outward. Press the center
of the latch to
secure the window
in the open position.
To close, pull the center of the latch forward and then
close the latch.
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbols
on
your steering wheel.
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Tilt Steering Wheel Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel
allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move
the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel
in place. The
lever on
the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer
0 Cruise Control (Option)
2-39
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Ttrrn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn
is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t
flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won’t
see your turn signal.
If a bulb
is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If
the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check the
fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers’’ in the Index).
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps,
a different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash
even
if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they
are working.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps
from high to low beam, or
low to high, simply pull the
turn signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, a light on the instrument
cluster will also be on.
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