1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Owner's Manuals

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?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove
box.
Move the trunk security override switch to OFF.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key and Remote Lock Control
keychain with you.
Universal Theft-Deterrent
Your Aurora has a theft-deterrent alarm system. With
this system, if your ignition
is off, the SECURITY light
will flash as you open the door. This light
reminds you to
1.
2.
3.
SECURITY
Open the door.
Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
Remote Lock Control System. The SECURITY light
should come on and stay on.
Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go
off
after about 30 seconds. The security system is not
armed until the SECURITY light is off.
If the
SECURITY light stays on or flashes when the
ignition is turned on, there is a problem with the
system and the vehicle should be serviced.
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If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
Remote Lock Control System, the alarm
will go off. It
will also go
off if the trunk lock or door locks are
damaged. Your vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn
will sound for several minutes, then will go off to save
battery power.
Remember,
the theft-deterrent system won’t be activated
if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
only activates
if you use a power door lock switch or
Remote Lock Control System. You should also
remember that you can start your vehicle with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off, but this
does not shut off the alarm.
Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, lock the door either using a key, or
the
manual door lock switch.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the Remote
Lock Control System. Unlocking a door any other
way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your key.
You can also turn off the alarm by using the Remote
Lock Control System. The alarm won’t stop if
you try to
unlock
a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by fist having the driver’s
window down. Activate
the system by locking the doors
with the power door lock switch or the Remote Lock
Control System. Get out of the car and close the door and
wait for the
SECURITY light to go out. Then reach in
through the window, unlock the door with the manual door
lock, and open the door. This should set
off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check
to see
if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
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PASS-K~~~ 11
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
I1 is a passive
theft-deterrent system. It
works when you insert or
remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key I1 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
I1 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
,
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match. The
ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start.
If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light is on
or
you get the CLEAN KEY. ..WAIT 3 MINUTES message
on the DIC, the key may be dirty or wet. Turn the
ignition
off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to
check the fuses
(see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index). If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Aurora retailer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work. The
SECURITY light will flash and the CLEAN
KEY. ..
WAIT 3 MINUTES message will appear. But you don’t
have to wait three minutes before trying another
ignition key.

See your Aurora retailer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on or PASS-KEY SYSTEM FAULT appears, you will
be able to restart your engine if you
turn it off. Your
PASS-Key
I1 system, however, is not working properly
and must
be serviced by your Aurora retailer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key I1 system.
If
you lose or damage a PASS-Key I1 ignition key, see
your Aurora retailer or
a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made.
New Vehicle CCBreak-InSS
NOTICE:
Your modern Aurora 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.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
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Ignition Positions
C
D
1 I
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
LOCK and it doesn’t send any electrical
power to the accessories. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is not running.
RUN (D): This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. This
is the position for driving. 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.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to
RUN for normal driving.
ACCESSORY (A): In this position you can operate
your electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition
switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none
of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the ignition, with the engine off,
you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver’s door.
Retained Accessory Power
After you turn your ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have electrical power
to such accessories as the
radio, power windows, and sunroof
(if equipped) for up
to 10 minutes. But if you open a door, power is shut off.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever tu PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Aurora is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 4.0L 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.
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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 it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds betwcsn each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
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. If
the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing.
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.
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Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
A r ~UTIO: :
I- -
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
In very cold weather,
0 “F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Aurora retailer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The retailer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
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