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.
Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle) Starting Your Engine
The key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the Automatic Transaxle
key release button is used.
Move your shift lever to PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N),
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
To remove the key, turn the key to the OFF position.
While pressing the key release button in, turn
the key to
the
LOCK position. Pull the key straight out. safety
feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
~ use NEUTRAL (N) only.
~ I NOTICE:
I I I
~ Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold
the clutch pedal
to the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine
1, Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter
of the way down
while you turn the key to START.
Do this until the
engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key
in
START for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter
of the way down
for five or
six seconds.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your retailer.
If you
don’t, your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Starting Your 3100 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets
warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for
up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline
from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your retailer.
If you don’t,
your engine might
not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual
that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
2-18
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine.
You Oldsmobile has a brake-trmsaxle
shift interlock. You have to apply your regular brake
before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
key
is in the RUN position. 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
wish. (Press the shift lever button before moving the
shift lever.) See
“Shifting Out of PARK (P)” later in
this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
r
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running
at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out of
PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
2-22
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then
slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for
SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up
on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and
the brake pedal, and shift into
NEUTRAL
(N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
2-26
Sunglasses Storage
Place your sunglasses in the open area located above
you in the overhead console, or front compartment in
the center console.
Rear Seat Cupholder
The rear seat cupholder is located on the back of the
center console.
To access the rear seat cupholder, pull
the door down.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during
sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in
the
trunk as far forward as you can. You
can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when
you’re not using it.
2-52
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system indicator light will come on
when you start the engine,
then it should go out.
+I
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain
to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part
can still work and stop
you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If
the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem or the brake fluid level could be low. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
I II
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
2-62