
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only
if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.’’
If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
14 to 18 mph (23 to 29 ktdh). The threshold level
can vary, however,
with specific vehicle design, so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that
will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed to inflate
in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of
the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and
near-frontal impacts.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road
Driving“
in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. The sensing
system triggers
a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware
are all part of the air bag module inside the
steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel.
The air bag supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
But air bags would not
help you
in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything more
than
a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
ProCarManuals.com

Driver Information System
This system displays the outside air temperature, compass
direction and trip information in the overhead console.
The USNET (United States/metric) button allows you to
switch the display between the English and metric system.
The MODE button can be used to toggle between three
modes of operation:
OFF, COMPREMP and TRIP.
OFF: This turns the system off.
COMP/TEMP: The display provides the outside
temperature and one of eight compass readings to
indicate the direction the vehicle is facing.
Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on. If the outside
temperature is
37 "F (3 " C) or lower, the display will
toggle between the word ICE and the current
temperature every eight seconds. This is a warning to
the driver that road conditions may be icy, and that
appropriate precautions should be taken. The
compass is self-calibrating,
so it does not need to be
manually set. However,
if C (Calibration) is displayed, the
compass will need to
be calibrated. You may also place the
compass in a noncalibrated mode by pressing and holding
the MODE and USMET buttons simultaneously while
in
the COMPmEMP mode. After about 10 seconds, the
compass will display
C and you can release the buttons.
Drive the vehicle in a complete 360" circle three times at
a speed of less than
5 mph (8 km/h), and the compass will
function normally. Once the calibration is complete, the
display will return to
a compass reading.
2-37
ProCarManuals.com

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes
the air bag sensors, the air bag module,
the wiring and the diagnostic module.
For more
information on the air bag system, see
“Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may
not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The air
bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check
to show you it
is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes
on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that
you have problems with a 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Your Oldstnobile is
equipped
with a computer
which monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition and
emission control systems.
This system is called
OBD IT (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and
is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping
to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is
also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
I NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work
as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on! as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a mal.function in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
2-57
-. -
ProCarManuals.com

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your Oldsmobile.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4 3-5
3-5
3-6
3-6 Comfort Controls
Air
Conditioning
Heating
Ventilation System and Tips
Tips for Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Setting the Clock
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
and Equalizer 3-9
3- 13
3-15 3-15
3- 15
3-16
3-
16
3-16
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Automatic Tone Control
Theft-Deterrent Feature
Adding Sound Equipment to Your Vehicle
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Antenna
ProCarManuals.com

Comfort Controls Temperature Knob
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation
in your vehicle.
Climate Control System
Fan Control
The switch with the fan symbol changes the fan speed.
To increase the fan speed, move the switch upward
toward
HI. To decrease the fan speed, move the switch
downward toward
LO.
The upper knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn the
knob clockwise for
warmer air. Turn the knob counterclockwise for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The lower knob allows you to choose the direction of
air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off. Some outside air
will still enter the vehicle whenever the vehicle is
moving forward.
MAX A/C: This setting provides maximum cooling
with the least amount of work. MAX A/C recirculates
much of the air inside your vehicle
so it cools quickly.
A/C: This setting cools the air entering your vehicle and
directs
it through the instrument panel outlets.
+’ BI-LEVEL A/C: Air is delivered through the
heater
floor outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
/J VENT This setting directs airflow through the
instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning
compressor is not working when
VENT is selected.
+*
+e
3-2
ProCarManuals.com

e
+# HEATER: This setting directs warmed air through
the heater floor outlets and windshield defroster outlets.
we
+# BLEND: Airtlow is divided equally between the
heater floor outlet and the windshield defroster outlets.
%? DEFROST This setting directs most air through
the windshield defroster outlets and some through the
heater outlets.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX A/C
with the temperature knob turned counterclockwise.
This setting should be used to keep odors and/or dust
from entering the vehicle. For normal cooling on hot
days, use A/C with the temperature knob turned
counterclockwise.
On cool but sunny days, use BI-LEVEL A/C to deliver
warm air to the floor and cooler air to the instrument
panel outlets.
When the air conditioner is on,
you may sometimes
notice slight changes
in your vehicle‘s engine speed and
power. This is normal because the system is designed to
cycle the compressor on and off to keep the
desired temperature.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using
it. On cold days, use HEATER with the
temperature knob turned clockwise.
BLEND is useful in
cool weather when you have fog or ice on the
windshield or side windows.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer
air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Tndex.
3-3
ProCarManuals.com

Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid, days use BLEND to keep the
windshield and side windows clear.
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly
in extreme humid or cold conditions.
Turn the temperature knob clockwise and move the fan
control toward
HI.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window has lines that warm the glass. For best
results, clear the window of as much snow or ice as
possible before using the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window defogger, find the switch
marked REAR
DEFOG on your instrument panel below
the headlamp switch. Press
ON until the light in the
switch comes on, then release it.
It will only work if the
ignition switch is turned to
RUN.
The rear window defogger will stay on for five to seven
minutes, then turn off. If you need additional warming
time, turn it on again. You can turn the defogger
off at
any time by pressing OFF.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut
or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
3-5
ProCarManuals.com