1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS warning

Check Oil Light Passlock Warning Light
CHECK
OIL
If the light
comes on and
you hear a chime or stays on after starting your vehicle,
your engine oil level should
be checked.
THEFT
SYSTEM
This light will come on
briefly when
you turn
the ignition on. The light
will stay on until the
engine
starts.
Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has
been shut
off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring
it to the proper level. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
NOTE:
A false CHECK OIL light may be generated
when parking on steep grades.
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank.
It does not monitor engine oil level when the
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned
off for a
considerable period
of time allowing the oil normally in
circulation
to drain back into the oil pan.
If the light flashes for several seconds, the Passlock
system has entered a tamper mode.
If the vehicle fails
to start, see “Passlock” in the Index.
If the light comes on continuously while driving and
stays on, there may be a problem with the Passlock
system.
Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock,
and you should see your retailer.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people dnve in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster
if you
do
a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down.
If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you
will use it when you, brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system,
this
warning light will stay on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in
the Index.
4-7
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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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City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount
of traffic on them. You'll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your
trip into an
unknown part
of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You'll save time and energy. (See the
next
part, "Freeway Driving.")
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner
is busy enough to
need it. When a light turns green, and just before you
start to move, check both ways
for vehicles that have
not cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.
4-19
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
0 Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk. Include an
ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red cloth and a
couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items
in your vehicle.
4-24
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-8
5- 10
5-11
5-12 5-13
How to Use Warning Flashers
Other Types of Warning Devices
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting
Information
You Should Know Before Towing
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
If Your Engine is Overheating
If Steam is Coming From
Your Engine
5- 16
5-20
5-2
1
5-30
5-32
5-33
5-33
How to Add Coolant
What to do if a Tire Goes Flat
How to Change a Flat Tire
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools
Information on the Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice
How to Rock Your Vehicle
5-1
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and
off.
Press the switch once to
turn your hazard flashers
on. The switch will flash
when activated.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even
if the key isn’t in.
To turn
off the flashers, press the switch again.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won’t work.
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Other Warning devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up
at the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumoer cables to start
your Oldsmobile.
But please ,110~ the steps here
to do it safely.
I NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be
covered
by your warranty.
Trying to
start your Oldsmobile by pushing or
pulling it could damage
your vehicle. An
automatic transaxle won’t start that way.
1 a CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or a1
of these things can hurt you.
you.
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