1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS stop start

Passing 0
The driver of a vehicle about to ptiss another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again.
A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway
is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents
-- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
0 “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides and to
crossroads for situations that might affect your passing
patterns.
If you have any doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and lines.
If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a
huzl or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates
it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead
is clear). Never cross a solid
line on your side
of the lane or a double solid line,
even
if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.
0
0
*
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.
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.
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.
4-12
,
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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.
Driving at Night
I
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.
4-14
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or
turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on
dry roads.
And,
if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious
if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even
if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show
signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Oldsmobile retailer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a
turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will
also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers
behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
I NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 kmk) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage.
If the indicator
is in the red area,
turn off the air conditioning (if you
have
this option) to reduce engine load (see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index).
4-38
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Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a
hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
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1'
lul Service and Appearance Care ....................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications
.................... 8-9
Service Publications
.............................. 8-9
Servicing Your
Air Bag-Equipped Oldsmobile ........ 1-27
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-47
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-17
Shifting
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2- 17
Into Park (P)
................................. 2-22
OUtofPark
................................... 2-24
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
..................... 1-15
Signaling Turns
................................ 2-28
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Sound Equipment. Adding
.............. 2-14.3-22. 6-50
Spare Tire. Compact
............................. 5-32
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-57
Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-58
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-4
Speedometer
................................... 2-49
SRS
......................................... 1-21
Stains. Cleaning
............................. ' ... 6-42
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-39
Starting
Your Engine ............................ 2-14
Steam
........................................ 5-12
Steering
...................................... 4-10
In Emergencies ............................... 4- 10
Power
....................................... 4-9
Tips
......................................... 4-9
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-27
Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
...................... 6-29
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-41
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-26
Stuck
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-33 Sunvisors
.................................... 2-43
Sunroof
....................................... 2-45
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-21
Surge Tank Coolant
..................................... 5-14
How to Add Coolant
.......................... 5-16
Pressure Cap
................................. 6-19
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Synchronization. Remote Lock Control
............... 2-9
Tachometer
.................................. 2-50
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-29
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-22
Theft
......................................... 2-11
Theft-Deterrent Feature,
CD Player ................ 3-19
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-19
Thermostat
.................................... 6-19
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-19
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-27
Time, Setting
the ................................ 3-7
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-40
TireLoading
................................... 4-30
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-30
Tires
......................................... 6-32
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-38
BuyingNew
................................. 6-36
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-20
Cleaning
.................................... 6-46
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation
.................................... 6-33
Inflationcheck ............................... 7-37
Inspection and Rotation ........................ 6-34
Chains
..................................... 6-40
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