1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE warning light

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used
on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD
&
BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
These symbols have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
RUNNING
* ' 0
DAYTIME .
LAMPS .**
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING 1'1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
Wb
ANTI-LOCK (@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
P
LIGHTER -
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL B
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsmobile, and information 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.
2-2 2-4
2-7
2-
10
2- 12
2-13 2-15
2-19
2-23
2-26 2-26
2-28 2-29
2-3 1
2-35
2-37
2-4
1
2-50 Important Information About Keys
Door Locks
Remote Lock
Control
Battery Replacement for RKE
Switchbanks
Sliding Door
Power Sliding Door
Operation of Sliding Door Security Locks
Preventing Theft
of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle "Break-In"
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting
Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Guidelines
Important Information on Engine Exhaust
Locks and Lighting Choices
Windows 2-52
2-52
2-53
2-54
2-55
2-59
2-59
2-6
I
2-66
2- 67
2-7
I
2- 84
2-85
2- 86
2-88
2-92 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 (DRL)
Interior Lamps
Rearview Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Driver Information Center
Accessory Power Outlets
S u nroo f
Air Inflator System
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
ProCarManuals.com

~ NOTICE:
Be
sure there are no overhead obstructions, such
as a garage door, before you open the liftgate.
You could slam the liftgate into something and
break the glass.
To close the liftgate, pull down on the handle, then
firmly shut
the liftgate. Don’t drive with the liftgate
open, even slightly. See“Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
A light on your instrument panel will warn you if the
liftgate is not completely closed (see “Door Ajar
Warning Light” in the Index).
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the liftgate:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on bi-level (outside air button
is pressed).
That
will force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls”
in the Index.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-22
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

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake
pedal down
with your right
foot and push down
the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. See “Brake System Warning Light” in
the Index.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down
with your right foot while you push down
on the parking brake pedal with your left foot. (To
release the tension on the parking brake cable, you will
need to apply about the same amount of pressure to the
parking brake pedal as you did when you set the parking
brake.) When you remove your foot from the parking
brake pedal,
it will pop up to the release position.
I 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 any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-35
ProCarManuals.com

Lamps
300: : Turning the dial to this setting turns on:
0 Parking Lamps,
0 Sidemarker Lamps,
0 Taillamps and
0 Instrument Panel Lights.
--
20 : Turning the dial to this setting turns on the
headlamps, together with:
a Parking Lamps,
0 Sidemarker Lamps,
0 Taillamps and
0 Instrument Panel Lights.
0 : Turning the dial to this setting turns off all
the lights.
Lamps On Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened and you turn the ignition
to
the OFF or LOCK position while leaving the lamps
on, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (If Equipped)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful
in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
- 2-59
ProCarManuals.com

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, how much
fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
Refer to the accompanying diagram of your instrument panel
to locate the components listed below.
A. Side Vents
B. Front Vent
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
E. Instrument Cluster
E Center Vents
G. Audio System
H. Side Vents
I. Lamps Switch
J. Hood Release
K. Steering Wheel Touch Controls (Option)
L. Horn
M. Ignition Switch
N. Steering Wheel Touch Controls (Option)
0. Climate Controls
P. Rear Fan Controls
Q. Accessory Power Outlet
R. Storage Bin
S. Remote CD Player (Option)
T. Instrument Panel Switchbank
U. LightedAshtray
V. Glove Box
W. Front Vents
X. Fuse Panel
2-89
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel Cluster
I- -
PRND APPLY BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM PARK
Your cluster includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the following pages.
2-90
ProCarManuals.com