If the Light Is Flashing 
The  following may prevent more serious damage to 
your vehicle: 
0 Reducing  vehicle speed. 
0 Avoiding hard accelerations. 
0 Avoiding  steep uphill grades. 
0 If you are towing  a trailer, reduce the amount  of 
cargo being  hauled as soon as it  is possible. 
If  the light stops flashing and remains  on steady,  see 
“If 
the Light Is On Steady”  following. 
If the light continues to flash,  when it is safe to  do so, 
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to  park your vehicle. 
Turn  the  key 
off, wait at least 10 seconds  and restart the 
engine. 
If the light remains on steady, see  “If  the Light 
Is On Steady”  following.  If the light  is  still flashing, 
follow the previous steps,  and drive  the vehicle to  your 
retailer  or qualified service center  for  service. 
If the Light Is On Steady 
You may  be  able to correct the emission system 
malfunction  by considering  the following: 
Did  you  recently put fuel into your vehicle‘? 
If so, reinstall  the fuel  cap,  making  sure to fully install 
the  cap. 
The diagnostic system can determine  if the  fuel 
cap  has been  left  off  or improperly installed.  A loose  or 
missing fuel  cap will allow  fuel to evaporate into the 
atmosphere. 
A few driving trips with the  cap properly 
installed should turn  the light  off. 
Did you just  drive through a deep  puddle  of water? 
If so, your electrical system  may  be wet. The condition 
will usually be corrected  when the electrical system 
dries out. 
A few  driving  trips should turn the light off. 
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        Be careful not to spill gasoline, Clean gasoline from 
painted  surfaces  as  soon 
as possible. See “Cleaning  the 
Outside 
of Your  Oldsmobile” in the Index. 
When  you  put 
the cap back on, turn it to the right 
(clockwise)  until 
you hear a clicking sound. Make sure 
you fully install the cap.  The diagnostic system can 
determine 
if the  fuel  cap has been left off or improperly 
installed. 
This would allow fuel to evaporate into  the 
atmosphere.  See “Malfunction  Indicator Lamp” in 
the  Index. 
I I 
I NOTICE: 
If you  need a new  cap,  be  sure  to  get  the  right 
type.  Your retailer  can  get  one  for  you. 
If you  get 
the  wrong  type,  it  may  not  fit  properly.  This  may 
cause  your  malfunction  indicator  lamp  to  light  and  your  fuel  tank  and  emissions  system  may  be 
damaged.  See  “Malfunction  Indicator  Lamp’’  in 
the  Index. 
Checking Things Under the Hood 
To  open the hood, first pull 
the handle  inside  the vehicle 
on  the lower driver’s side 
of 
the  instrument panel. 
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