1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE key

To open or close the sliding door, press and release one
of two power door switches.
/ Y
0
0
0
I
One is mounted on the wall, just in front of the right side
sliding door. The other switch is located
in the overhead
console switchbank.
The sliding door must be unlocked
for it to operate. The
key does not have to be in
the ignition. To help avoid
accidental operation
of the sliding door, disable the
power sliding door by pushing the power sliding door
override switch. When
the key is
in the ignition in the RUN position,
the power sliding door will only open if
the transaxle is
in PARK (P). The transaxle does not have to be in
PARK (P) to close the door.
If the override feature is not enabled and the power
sliding door
is open or in the process of closing when
you shift out
of PARK (P), a buzzer will sound. This is
a warning that the sliding door is not completely closed.
I
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) and
accelerate before the power sliding door latches
closed, the door may reverse to the open position.
A child or others could fall out of the vehicle and
be injured. Always make sure the power sliding
door is closed and latched before you drive away.
ProCarManuals.com

You should let adults and older children know how the
security lock works, and how to cancel
the lock. If you
don’t, adults or older children who ride in the rear won’t
be able to open the sliding
door from the inside when
the security lock feature is in use.
Liftgate
Canceling the Sliding Door Security Lock
1. Unlock the sliding door and open the door from the
outside.
2. Move the security lock lever all the way down.
The sliding door lock will now work normally.
To unlock the liftgate from the outside, turn the key in
the cylinder clockwise.
To lock the liftgate using the
key, turn the key counterclockwise.
Open the liftgate using
the handle above the license
plate. Once slightly opened, the liftgate will rise by
itself. Lamps
in the rear of the vehicle will come on,
illuminating the rear cargo area (see “Interior Lamps”
in the Index).
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system.
A light located on top of your instrument panel (near the
center
of the vehicle, next to the windshield) will flash
slowly to let everyone
know that the system has
been armed.
While armed, the doors will not unlock
with the power
lock switch. Once armed,
the alarm will
go off if someone tries to
enter the vehicle (without using the key chain
transmitter or a key), breaks a window, tries
to damage
the vehicle or turns the ignition on. The horn will sound
and your vehicle’s park lamps will flash for up to
two
minutes. The system will also cut off the fuel supply,
preventing the vehicle from being driven.
When the alarm is armed, the liftgate may be opened
with the key chain transmitter or with a key.
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
Your alarm system will arm when you use either power
lock switch to lock
the doors while any door or the
liftgate is open and the key is removed from the ignition
(if you would like to turn off power lock switch arming,
see “Locks and Lighting Choices”
in the Index).
The security light flashes quickly to let you know when
the system
is ready to arm with the power door lock
switches. The security light will stop flashing and stay
011, when you press the rear of the power lock switch, to
let you know the system is arming. After all doors and
the liftgate are closed and locked, the security light will
begin flashing
at a very slow rate to let you know the
system is armed.
2-23
ProCarManuals.com

Arming with the Key Chain Transmitter
Your alarm system will arm when you use your key
chain transmitter to lock the doors
if the key is not in the
ignition. The security light will turn on to let you know
the system
is arming. After all doors and the liftgate are
closed and locked, the security light will begin flashing
at a
very slow rate to let you know the system is armed.
Arming with Your Key
Your alarm system will arm when you use your key to
lock the doors. The security light will turn on to let you
know the system is arming. After all doors and
the
liftgate are closed and locked, the security light will
begin flashing at
a very slow rate to let you know the
system is armed.
If you would like your key not to arm
the system, see “Locks and Lighting Choices”
in
the Index.
Arming Confirmation
If remote unlock confirmation is on (see “Locks and
Lighting Choices” in the Index), your park lamps will
flash briefly
to let you know when your alarm system
has armed.
Disarming with the Key Chain Transmitter
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key
chain transmitter to unlock the doors. The security light
will stop flashing to let you know the system is no
longer armed.
Disarming with Your Key
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key
to unlock the doors. The security light will stop flashing
to let you know the system is no longer armed. If
you
would like your key not to disarm the alarm system, see
“Locks and Lighting Choices”
in the Index.
Nuisance Alarms
If you experience nuisance alarms (alarms which are not
caused by the opening
of a door or the liftgate and are
not desirable), you may need to reduce the damage
detection sensitivity. Try programming the Content
Theft Deterrent to Mode
1. See “Locks and Lighting
Choices’’
in the Index.
If you continue to experience nuisance alarms, you
may want to
try turning off damage detection by
programming your Content Theft Deterrent to Mode
2.
See “Locks and Lighting Choices” in the Index.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com

If you are still having trouble with nuisance alarms, you
can turn off the Content Theft Deterrent system by
programming your Content Theft Deterrent to Mode
3.
See “Locks and Lighting Choices” in the Index. See
your Retailer
or qualified technician for service.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Oldsmobile has a number of
theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we
put on
it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are
ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Oldsmobile and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove
your
key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always
do this. Your steering wheel will be locked,
and
so will your ignition and transaxle. And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them
in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
1.f you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle,
it’s best to lock it up and take your key.
But what
if you have to leave your key? What if you
have
to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
2-25
ProCarManuals.com

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Oldsmobile doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better
in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you ILA turn
the switch
to five positions.
E
ACCESSORY (A): An on position in which you can
operate your electrical power accessories. Press in the
ignition switch
as you turn the top of it toward you.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

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

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in three seconds (or starts
but then stops), push
the accelerator pedal about
one-quarter
of the way down for 12 more seconds,
or
until it starts.
2-28
ProCarManuals.com