1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manuals

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
wer have to,
here are some things to know.
CA, TIO, 4:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
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
the 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.)
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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 are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
2-33

Windows Auto-Down Feature
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled
AUTO. Tap the switch back, and
the driver’s window will open a small amount.
If the
switch
is moved all the way back, the window will go all
the way down.
Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
lwer Windows (If Equipped)
Switches on the driver’s
armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition
is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a switch
for its own window.
To stop the window while it is lowering, move the
switch forward.
To raise the window, move and hold the
switch forward.
Lock-Out Switch
On four-door models, the driver’s power window
controls also include a lock-out switch. Press
LOCK to
stop front
and rear passengers from using their window
switches.
The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock
on. Press the other side of the LOCK
button for normal window operation.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
2-34

Tilt Wheel Turn
Signal/Multifunction 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 located on the left side of the steering column.
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 High/Low Beam Changer
0 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
2-35

Turn and Lane Change Signals
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
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 flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your
turn signal. If a signal bulb is
burned out, replace
it to help avoid an accident. (See
“Bulb Replacement”
in the Index).
If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a turn, check
the fuse
(see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index) or
contact your Oldsmobile retailer service department).
Turn Signal On Chime
A warning chime signal will come on if you have left
your turn signal on for more than
3/4 mile ( 1 km).
2-36

Headlamp High/Low Beam
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high or
high to low, pull the turn
signal lever all
the way
toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel also will be on.
The headlamp high/low beam indicator may flash if the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) system is experiencing
a problem or if a headlamp is malfunctioning.
Windshield Wipers
'ti.
You control the windshield wipers by moving the stalk
with the
wiper symbol on it up or down.
For a single wiper cycle, push
the stalk down to MIST, then
release
it. For more cycles, hold the stalk down longer.

For steady wiping at low speed, move the stalk up to
the
(1) position. For high-speed wiping, move the stalk
up further, to
(2). To stop the wipers, move the stalk
to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow.
Move the stalk to
DELAY? then rotate the inner band and
choose the delay you want. Rotate the inner band
up for
shorter delay times between wiper cycles. Rotate the band
down for a longer delay time between wiper cycles.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them.
If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your
blades do become damaged, get new blades or
blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow
or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk toward you until
the washers begin.
2-38

I I'ION: It
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
In freezing . :eather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form
ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
When you release the stalk, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will either stop or will resume the delay
speed
you were using before.
With cruise control,
you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work
at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h).

When you apply your brake or the clutch pedal, the
cruise control shuts off.
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.
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.
Cruise control can be dangerous on Setting Vruise Contra]
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.