1997 Oldsmobile Achieva mirror

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.
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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
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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

Front Reading Lamps (If Equipped) Front Map Lamps (If Equipped)
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps will come on when
you open the doors.
To turn on a reading lamp when the doors
are closed,
press the button. Press it again to turn the lamp off. If
your vehicle has a
sunroof, it will have a rearview
mirror and lamps. The lamps go on when you open the
doors. When the doors are closed,
turn the lamps on and
off with the switch.

Mirrors
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.
Power Remote Control Mirror
(If Equipped)
This selector knob, located
on the driver’s side door,
controls both outside
rearview mirrors.
Select the mirror you want to adjust by rotating the knob
to the left or right. Adjust each mirror
so that you can
just see the side
of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position..
Turn the knob to the center to turn the remote control
mirror off.
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Convex Outside Mirr-r
Your passenger’s side mirror 1s c%rR&X. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
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A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle
on your right. Check your
inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use one of the vehicle’s keys to lock and unlock the
glove
box. To open, pull the glove box handle
toward
you.
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Sunvisors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Open the visor cover to expose the vanity mirror.
Accessory Power Outlet
The accessory power outlet is located in the front storage
armrest. You can use it to plug
in an additional electrical
accessory. Just open the armrest lid and remove the plug
from the outlet. Be sure to follow the proper installation
instructions that are included with any electrical accessory
you
install. The accessory power outlet is protected by a
fuse and has a maximum current level.
Garment Hook
Push down on the tab
marked with a hanger
symbol to fold down the
garment hook.
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Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially
if you’re following a larger vehicle.
Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
0 When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And
if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait
for another opportunity.
0 If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying
to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and
check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start
your left lane change signal before moving out
of the
right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the
passed vehicle to see its front
in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal and move back into
the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from
you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting
to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you
can ease a 1itt.le to the right.
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Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road
to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek
an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
Oldsmobile’s three control systems. In
the braking skid,
your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering
skid, too much speed or steering in
a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember:
It helps avoid only
the acceleration skid.
If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System, or if
the system is off, then an acceleration skid is also 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.
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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. Here are some tips on night
driving.
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Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview
mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
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