1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS parking brake

Section 2 Features and Controls
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-8
2-11
2-13
2-13
2- 14
2-
15
2- 17
2-2
1
2-21
2-25
2-26
Here
you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsmobile, and infomation on starting,
shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
Important Information About Keys
Door Locks Operation of Child Security Locks
Remote Lock Control
Battery Replacement for Remote
Lock Control
Preventing Theft of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Second-Gear Start
Parking Brake Guidelines Important Information on Engine Exhaust
Operation of Your Windows 2-27
2-28
2-29
2-30
2-32
2-35
2-36
2- 37
2-39
2-41
2-45
2-46
2-50 Adjusting
the Tilt Steering Wheel
Functions of the Multifunction Lever
How to Use the High/Low-Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (Dm) and
Automatic Light Control
(ALC)
Interior Lamps
Rearview Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sunroof
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
2-1
~
ProCarManuals.com

Second-Gear Start
Your vehicle is equipped with a second-gear start
feature. Place the shift lever in SECOND
(2) gear to
provide more traction when you are starting on ice
or other slippery surfaces. The transaxle will be in
SECOND
(2) gear when the vehicle begins to move.
After starting in SECOND
(2) gear, place the shift lever
in THIRD
(3) or DRIVE (D).
This feature is only for improved traction only when
the road surface is slippery and
is not intended for
continuous use or when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice, snow
or gravel.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning
light will come on. To
release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down on the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the parking
brake
is not released when you begin to drive, a chime
will sound warning you that the parking brake is still on.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could
also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting-Into PARK (P)
I
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
even when you’re on fairly level ground, use the
steps that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
0 Hold in the button on the lever.
0 Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK
(P).
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And,
if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be
sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever-away from PARK (P) without
first
pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
z ~- -bther
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of tne
pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK
(P).
2-23
~~
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Oldsmobile has a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You have to apply your regular brake before you can
shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in ON. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P)
-- as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
Shift QUt
Of PARK (P) , try this
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the key to OFF.
Apply and hold the regular brake until the end
of Step
4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
1 CAUTION:
Ih
I
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass
or other things that
can burn.
I
2-24
ProCarManuals.com

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set, Your vehicle can roll,
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You
or others could be injured, To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parkink brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Windows
Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If
you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer,
also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
The power window switches
are located on the mest
of the driver’s door.
In addition, each passenger door has
a switch for its own window.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. If it
doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed
so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s
a
problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer
to the
floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come
on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
ProCarManuals.com

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. Ths
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
You can tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for use
at your destination. Be sure to use the proper towing
equipment designed for recreational towing. Follow the
instructions for the towing equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front
There are two ways to tow your vehicle from the front.
€
m
To tow your vehicle with a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
ProCarManuals.com