
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 
CAUSTIC 
BURNS AVOID 
SPARKS 
OR 
FLAMES 
SPARK 
OR ,\I/, 
COULD  FLAME 
EXPLODE  BATTERY 
These  symbols are  important 
for you  and 
your  passengers 
whenever  your 
vehicle 
is 
driven: 
DOOR  LOCK 
UNLOCK 
4 
BELTS 
n 
POWER 
WINDOW 'tl 
These  symbols  have 
to do wilh 
your lamps: 
SIGNALS e e 
TURN 
RUNNING 
.'****o 
DAYTIME  LAMPS 
'** 
FOG  LAMPS $0 
These  symbols 
are 
on some of 
your controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
WINDSHIELD  DEFROSTER 
WINDOW 
DEFOGGER 
VENTILATING  FAN 
These symbols 
are used on 
warning and 
indicator 
lights: 
COOLANT - 
TEMP - 
CHARGING I-1 
BAlTERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(@) 
ENGINE  OIL w, 
PRESSURE 
ANTI-LOCK 
(@) 
BRAKES 
Here  are  some  other  symbols 
you may  see: 
FUSE -%- 
LIGHTER n 
HORN )tr 
SPEAKER 
b 
FUEL e3  

It is  extremely  dangerous  to  ride  in a cargo  area, 
inside  or  outside  of 
a vehicle. In a collision, 
people  riding  in  these  areas  are  more  likely to be 
seriously  injured  or killed. 
Do not  allow  people  to 
ride  in  any  area 
of your  vehicle  that  is  not 
equipped  with  seats  and  safety  belts. Be sure 
everyone  in  your  vehicle  is  in 
a seat  and  using a 
safety  belt  properly. 
I Your vehicle has a light that 
comes on as a reminder to 
buckle  up. (See “Safety 
Belt Reminder Light” 
in the Index.) 
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to 
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. 
You  never know if you’ll be in a crash.  If you do have a 
crash,  you  don’t  know if it will be a bad one. 
A  few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be 
so 
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. 
But most crashes are 
in between.  In many  of them, 
people who  buckle up can survive and sometimes walk 
away.  Without  belts they could have been badly hurt 
or killed. 
After more  than 
25 years of safety belts  in vehicles, 
the facts are  clear.  In most crashes buckling up does 
matter 
... a  lot!  

r - 
Air bags  inflate  with  great  force,  faster  than  the 
blink  of an  eye. 
If you’re  too  close to  an  inflating 
air  bag,  it  could  seriously  injure  you. Safety  belts 
help  keep  you in position  before 
and during a 
crash.  Always  wear  your  safety  belt,  even  with air 
bags. The  driver  should  sit as far back  as  possible 
while  still  maintaining  control  of the  vehicle. 
/d CAUTION: 
An inflating  air bag  can  seriously  injure  small 
children. 
Always secure  children  properly in your 
vehicle.  To read  how,  see the  part  of this  manual 
called  “Children”  and  the  caution  label  on the 
right  front  passenger’s  safety  belt. 
AIR 
BAG 
There is an air bag readiness 
light 
on the instrument 
panel, which shows 
AIR BAG. 
The system  checks the air bag electrical system  for 
malfunctions. The light tells  you  if there is  an electrical 
problem.  See “Air 
Bag Readiness  Light” in the Index 
for more information.  

Safety Belt Extender 
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten  around you,  you 
should  use  it. 
But 
if a  safety  belt isn’t  long  enough  to  fasten,  your 
retailer  will .order 
you an extender.  It’s free.  When  you 
go  in 
to order  it, take the  heaviest  coat  you will wear, so 
the extender  will be  long  enough for you. The extender 
will  be  just  for  you,  and just  for  the seat in your  vehicle 
that  you choose.  Don’t let someone  else use it, and  use it 
only  for the  seat  it is made  to  fit. 
To wear it,  just  attach  it 
to the  regular  safety  belt. 
Checking Yo--- Restraint Systems 
Now and then,  make  sure  the  safety belt reminder  light 
and all your  belts,  buckles,  latch plates,  retractors and 
anchorages  are working properly. 
Look for any  other 
loose  or  damaged  safety belt system  parts. 
If you see 
anything  that might keep  a safety belt system from 
doing  its  job,  have  it repaired. 
Torn or  frayed safety belts  may not protect  you in a 
crash.  They can rip  apart  under impact  forces. If a belt  is 
torn  or  frayed,  get a new  one  right  away. 
Also look  for any opened  or broken  air bag  covers,  and 
have them repaired  or  replaced.  (The  air  bag  system 
does  not need  regular  maintenance.) 
Replacing Restraint System Parts 
After  a Crash 
If you’ve had a crash,  do you  need  new belts? 
After 
a very  minor collision, nothing may  be necessary. 
But 
if the  belts  were  stretched,  as  they would be  if worn 
during  a  more  severe  crash,  then you need  new belts. 
If  belts  are  cut  or  damaged, replace them. Collision 
damage  also  may mean  you will  need 
to have safety  belt 
or  seat  parts  repaired  or replaced.  New parts and  repairs 
may  be necessary even  if the belt wasn’t  being used at 
the  time  of the  collision. 
If your seat  adjuster won’t work after  a  crash, the special 
part 
of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the 
adjuster  may need  to  be  replaced. 
If  an  air  bag  inflates,  you’ll  need to  replace  air  bag 
system parts.  See the part on  the  air bag system  earlier  in 
this  section. 
~ 1-47  

Section 2 Features  and  Controls 
Here you can learn about  the many standard  and optional  features  on your Oldsmobile,  and information on starting, 
shifting  and braking. 
Also explained  are the  instrument  panel  and the warning systems that tell you if everything is 
working properly -- and what  to  do if you have a  problem. 
2-2  2-4 
2-7 
2-10 
2-12 2-12 
2-13  2-14 
2- 
16 
2-19 
2-2 
1 
2-25  2-28  2-29 
2-3 
1 
Keys 
Door  Locks 
Remote Lock  Control (If Equipped) 
Trunk 
Theft  Passlock 
TM 
New  Vehicle  “Break-In” 
Ignition  Positions 
Starting  Your Engine 
Engine  Coolant Heater  (If Equipped) 
Automatic  Transaxle Operation 
Manual  Transaxle  Operation 
Parking  Brake 
Shifting  Into  PARK (P) (Automatic  Transaxle 
Models Only)  Shifting  Out 
of PARK  (P) (Automatic 
Transaxle)  2-3 
1 
2-32 
2-32 
2-33 
1 2-34 
1, 2-35 
2-35 
2-43 
2-46 
2-49 
2-50 
2-54 
2-55 
2-56 
2-60  Parking 
Your  Vehicle 
(Manual Transaxle) 
Parking  Over Things  That Burn 
Engine Exhaust 
Running  Your Engine While  You’re Parked 
(Automatic Transaxle) 
Windows 
Tilt Wheel 
Turn  SignalMultifunction  Lever 
Exterior  Lamps 
Interior  Lamps 
Mirrors 
Storage  Compartments 
Accessory Power  Outlet 
Sunroof (If Equipped) 
Instrument  Panel 
Warning  Lights, Gages and  Indicators  

Theft Parking Lots 
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching 
your vehicle,  it’s best  to lock  it  up  and take your keys. 
But  what 
if you  have to  leave your ignition key? What if 
you have to  leave something valuable  in your vehicle? 
Put your valuables  in a storage area, like your trunk 
or  glove box. 
Lock the glove box. 
Vehicle  theft  is 
big business,  especially  in  some  cities. 
Although  your  Oldsmobile  has  a number  of  theft-deterrent 
features,  we  know  that  nothing  we  put  on  it  can  make 
it 
impossible  to steal.  However,  there  are  ways  you  can  help. 
Key in  the  Ignition 
If you  leave  your vehicle with the keys  inside, it’s an 
easy target  for  joy riders or professional thieves 
-- so 
don’t do it. 
When  you  park your Oldsmobile and open the driver’s 
door, you’ll hear  a chime reminding  you to remove your 
key from the ignition and  take  it with you. Always  do 
this.  Your  steering wheel will  be locked, and 
so will 
your ignition.  If  you have an  automatic  transaxle, taking 
your  key out also locks your transaxle.  And remember 
to  lock the doors. 
Parking at Night 
Park  in a lighted  spot,  close  all windows and lock your 
vehicle. Remember  to keep your valuables  out  of sight. 
Put  them in  a  storage  area, or take them  with you. 
0 Lock  all  the  doors except  the driver’s. 
0 Then take the door key with  you. 
Passlock TM 
Your vehicle is equipped with  the Passlock 
theft-deterrent  system. 
Passlock is  a passive theft-deterrent  system. The system 
is  armed once the  key is removed from the ignition. 
Passlock  enables fuel 
if the ignition lock cylinder  is 
turned  with a valid  key. 
If a correct  key  is  not  used. 
fuel  is disabled. 
2-12  

During normal operation, the SECURITY  light will go 
off after the engine  is started. If the  engine  stalls  and the 
SECURITY  light  flashes,  wait until the light  stops 
flashing  before trying  to restart the  engine. Remember  to 
release the key from  the 
START position  as soon as the 
engine  starts. 
If you  are  driving  and the SECURITY 
light  comes  on, you 
will be able  to  restart the  engine if 
you turn the  engine  off.  However, your Passlock  system 
is  not  working properly  and must be  serviced by your 
retailer.  Your vehicle  is not  protected  by Passlock  at this 
time.  You may  also want 
to check the  fuse  (see “Fuses 
and  Circuit  Breakers”  in the  Index).  See  your 
Oldsmobile  retailer  for  service. 
If the SECURITY  light comes on  while the engine  is 
running,  a  problem has been  detected and the system 
may  need  service.  See  your dealer  for  service. 
In an emergency,  call  the Oldsmobile Roadside 
Assistance  Program 
at 1 -800-442-OLDS (6537). 
New  Vehicle  cCBreak-InSS 
NOTICE: 
Your  modern  Oldsmobile  doesn’t  need  an 
elaborate  “break-in.”  But  it  will perform  better 
in  the  long  run 
if you  follow  these  guidelines: 
Don’t  drive at any  one  speed -- fast  or 
slow 
-- for  the  first 500 miles (805 km). 
Don’t  make  full-throttle  starts. 
200 miles (322 km)  or so. During  this  time 
your  new  brake  linings aren’t yet broken 
in.  Hard  stops  with  new  linings  can  mean 
premature  wear  and  earlier  replacement. 
Follow  this  breaking-in  guideline  every  time  you  get  new brake linings. 
See  “Towing 
a Trailer”  in the  Index  for 
more  information. 
0 Avoid  making  hard  stops  for  the  first 
Don’t  tow a trailer  during  break-in.  

Ignition Positions 
c 
I 
1 
D 
B 
i 
A i E 
With the ignition key in the ignition  switch, you can turn 
the  switch  to  five positions. 
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets  you  use things 
like  the radio  and windshield wipers  when the engine  is 
off. 
To use  ACCESSORY,  push in the key  and turn  it 
toward 
you. Your  steering wheel will stay  locked. 
LOCK (B): Before you put the key  into the ignition 
switch,  the switch is in 
LOCK. It is also the only 
position 
in which you can remove the key.  This  locks 
your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle  (on 
automatic transaxle models). 
OFF (C): This  position unlocks the steering wheel and 
ignition, but  does not send electrical power  to any 
accessories.  Use this position  if your vehicle must be 
pushed  or towed, but never  try 
to push-start  your 
vehicle. A warning chime  will sound  if  you open the 
driver’s door  when 
the ignition is off and the key is in 
the  ignition. 
RUN (D): This  position is where the key returns  after 
you start your  engine  and release the  switch. The switch 
stays  in the RUN position when the  engine is running. 
But even when the  engine  is  not running, you can use 
RUN  to  operate  your electrical power accessories,  and 
to display some instrument panel warning lights. 
2-14