1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE service

LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove
the key, This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and transaxle.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition, and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off
and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D):This is an on position to which the switch
returns after
you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays
in the RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when
the engine is not
running, you can use the
RUN position to operate your
electrical power accessories, and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to the
RUN position for normal driving.
Note that
even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is all the
way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while
you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key
or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right
away. Until then,
you can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving
less than
35 mph (55 kmh) and THIRD (3) for
higher speeds.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If
the selector lever is put in FIRST (I), the transaxle
won’t downshift into first gear
until the vehicle is
going
slow enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against
a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle.
Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
2-34
ProCarManuals.com

To use your air inflator system, attach the appropriate
nozzle adapter,
if required, to the end of the hose that
has the pressure gage. Then attach that end of the hose
to
the object you wish to inflate. Remove the protective
cap covering the outlet. Attach
the other end of the hose
to
the outlet. Press the ON switch. The ON switch will
work even with the ignition off.
If the air inflator system does not turn on, the fuse may
be blown or installed incorrectly. See “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers’’
in the Index or see your retailer for service.
Your air inflator will automatically shut off after about
10 minutes. To reset, press the ON switch again.
Don’t run your air inflator for longer than
30 minutes at
one time. If
you do, you may damage the system. After
30 minutes, wait at least 10 minutes before restarting the
air inflator.
To turn off the inflator, press OFF and detach the hose,
first from the inflated object, then from the outlet.
Replace the protective cap. Place the inflator kit tools
in
the pouch, and store in the glove box.
To replace the cover, line up the tabs at the back of the
cover and
put it in place. Push down the tab to secure
the cover.
2-87
ProCarManuals.com

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows a deployed 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.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will tlash 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 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
1+1
The charging system light
will come on when you turn
on the ignition as a check to
show you it is working. It
will remain on as long as
the engine is
not running.
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

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 or the brake fluid level could be low. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition
key to RUN. 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 comes
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, or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “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 or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing
after you’ve pulled
off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
. UTIO--:
4
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.
2-95
ProCarManuals.com

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system,
this light will come
on when you start your
engine and
it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly if the anti-lock brake system warning
light is flashing. Driving with the anti-lock
brake system warning light flashing can lead
to an accident. After you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes. 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.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.) If
the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition
off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Oldsmobile needs service. If
the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake
system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
2-96
ProCarManuals.com

Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
#-I
This warning light should
come on briefly
as you start
the engine.
If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn
you if there’s
a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be
a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. The
traction control system warning light may come on
for
the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the traction
control button located
in the instrument panel
switchbank, the warning light will come
on and stay
on. To
turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go off. (See
“Traction Control System”
in the Index for
more information.)
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system
will turn off and the warning light will come
on
until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn
off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
2-97
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light will come on
when your engine gets
too hot.
If this light comes on, it means that your engine coolant
has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions,
you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon
as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual
shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Low Coolant Light
If this light comes on,
your system
is low on
coolant and the engine
1+1
may overheat.
To prevent damage to your engine, immediate action .- IS requlred.
See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
2-99
ProCarManuals.com