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Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same
speed most
of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on
a freeway as a passing lane. At the
entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads
to the
freeway. If you have
a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along
the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often
as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
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Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Tbms
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a different turn signal flasher (included in the
optional trailering package).
The 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 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.
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that
can occur
on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers
-
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your
front and rear turn signal
lamps will flash on and off.
Your hazard warning flashers switch is on the steering
column, below the ignition switch. Press the button in
to
turn on your flashers.
5-1
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Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key
is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers are
on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Oldsmobile. But please use the following steps listed to
do
it safely.
On vehicles equipped with the optional power sliding
door, a low voltage battery or replacing
a battery may
cause the system to become inoperative. See “Power
Sliding Door’’ in the Index for more information.
I NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Trying to start your Oldsmobile
by
pushing or pulling it won’t work, and it could
damage your vehicle.
5-2
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3. Twist the L-shaped bulb assembly counterclockwise
one-sixth
of a turn until the flanges align with the
slots in the retainer ring.
4. Pull out the bulb assembly.
5. Disconnect the bulb wiring harness from the bulb assembly by lifting the plastic locking tab.
6. Snap a new bulb assembly into the wiring harness.
7. Replace the bulb assembly by reversing Step 3.
8. Replace the bulb housing and the two black knobs.
Front Parking/lbrn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as described in
“Headlamps.”
2. Remove the lamp socket furthest inboard by
pinching the lever
and turning counterclockwise.
3. After replacing the bulb, line up the flanges on the
socket with
the slots in the headlamp capsule.
4. Push and turn the socket one-sixth of a
turn clockwise.
Front Sidemarker
1. From behind the front bumper, remove the lamp
socket
from the lamp assembly by twisting
counterclockwise.
2. With the bulb replaced, insert the lamp socket into
the lamp assembly and turn clockwise.
6-30
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8. Replace the entire taillamp housing and screws. Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
9. Attach the spring clips to the taillamp housing and
secure them.
10. Close the rear side windows and liftgate.
11. Test the bulbs by using your turn signals and taillamps.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section,
contact your Oldsmobile retailer service department. Replacement blades for
your vehicle are
24 inches
(61 cm) in length. They come in different types and are
removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Lift the release clip with a screwdriver and pull the
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
blade assembly off the wiper arm.
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Replacement Bulbs
OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB
Back-up Lamps ......................... 3057
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
............. 577
Front Parkingmurn Signal Lamps
........... 3357
Halogen Headlamps License Plate Lamp
....................... 194
Outer
................................ 9006
Inner ................................ 9005
FogLamps
.............................. H-1
Front Sidemarker Lamps ................... 194
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal Lamps
Upper
Two Positions ..................... 194
Lower Two Positions ................... 2057
Underhood Lamp
......................... 561
BULB INSIDE LAMPS
Dome Lamps
Front
................................. 561
Rear .................................. 561
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FogLamps .................................... 2-49
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-3
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1 - I
FrontDoor ..................................... 2-3
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-30
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-30
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-83
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-3
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-76
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-80
Fuel
....................................... 2-83
Speedometer
................................. 2-71
Tachometer
.................................. 2-71
Voltmeter
................................... 2-74
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-27
GloveBox
.................................... 2-57
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
GAWR
....................................... 4-27
GVWR
....................................... 4-27 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-29
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps
.................................... 2-48
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-29
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-40
OnReminder
................................ 2-48
Wiring
..................................... 6-52
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-40
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-21
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn ......................................... 2-38
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-23
Illuminated Entry
.......................... 2- 1 1. 2-50
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-36
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-66
Injector Fuse
................................... 6-57
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-52
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