1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass engine

Automatic ’hansaxle Operation
k Tour automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the
console between the seats.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is 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 e&&e
is
running unless you have to. 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. I€
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Oldsmobile has a
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to
apply your regular brake before you can shift from
PARK
(P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
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 lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
“Shifting Out of PARK
(P)” later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle,
see “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racings’ (running
at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal; your vehicle cdd move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE: I
Do not shift out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine racing. Your transaxle can be
damaged
by doing this and will not be covered by
your warranty. Shift your transaxle according to
the instructions in this manual.
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NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for m,ore than
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) ‘or
THIRD (3) as much as possible. Don’t shift into
SECOND (2) unless you are going slower than
65 mph (105 kmk) or you can damage
your engine.
SECOND (2) will select either first or second gear
depending on vehicle speed. If your vehicle is slowing,
the transaxle will downshift to first gear at
20 to
25 miles per hour (32 to 40 km/h) for engine braking.
You may notice some variation in shift speed in
SECOND
(2) when accelerating or braking.
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 (1)’ the transaxle
won’t
shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly 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 can 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.

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
.;Engine Running
I
~ , . .. . - ~~~ ~ ,.-‘.“~‘,’7 ,2-- .v7.! jT.-<--. , . ~ , -
2. Move the shift lever into PARM (P) lilce this:
. . Hold jn the button on the lever.
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
veKcle
is in PARK (P).
It cm 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.
I
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).

Parking Over Things That Burn
Things that can E TI 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
Engine Exhaust
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smen. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in
if:
0
0
0
0
0
0
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in
a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
blow
out any
CO; and

Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are
some things to know.
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is
a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See “Blizzard”
in the Index.)
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
ove. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
JI you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
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Tachometer
RPM
x 1000
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
1 NOTICE:
Do not run your engine at speeds in the red area,
or engine damage may occur.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement, Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to
let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you
are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
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Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. 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 sensor, the
air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the
air bag
system, see
“Air Bag” in the Index.
I
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds. This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This mans
the svstem is rea
, ..
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on. 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 ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
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