1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass ignition

Exterior Lamps
Rotate the turn signal lever end cap up one position to
turn on:
Parking Lamps
Side Marker Lamps
Taillamps
0 License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights Rotate the
turn signal lever end cap up two positions to
turn on:
Headlamps
0 Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch to
OFF to turn all of the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you
will hear a
warning chime.
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Daytime Running Lamps
Daytune 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.
The
DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
The ignition is on,
The headlamp switch is in the OFF position or you
have turned
on your parking lamps
The light sensor detects daytime light,
0 The parking brake is released and
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated.
The
DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle
is in
PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

Fog Lamps
The button for your fog.
lamps is on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
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steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
intensity control.
When using fog lamps, the ignition must be on, as well
as the parking lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Ish the top of the button to turn the fog lamps on. An
indicator light on the button will glow when the fog
.lamps
are on. Push the top of the button again to turn the
The fog lamps will
turn off whenever the high-beam
-headlamps
are turned on. When the high-beams are
turned
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
fog
lamps
off.
Interior Lamps . ..
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel cluster
lights by rotating the switch,
located to the left
of the
steering wheel.
Illuminated EntryExit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside your
vehicle will
go on. These lamps will fade out after about
40 seconds, or when the ignition is turned on after all
doors have been closed. If the ignition was recently
turned
off, the lamps will fade out after four seconds.
These lamps will
also go on when you press the vehicle
symbol or
UNLOCK button on the optional remote lock
control transmitter.
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If the ignition has been off for less than two minutes, the
lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
15
seconds after your key is removed from the ignition to
provide
an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamp. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the'lamp off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened. The
OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp
(trunk, reading, footwell or
glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned
off, the
battery saver system will automatically shut the lamp
off
after 20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, either:
The ignition must be turned on,
The activated lamp switch must be turned off and
A front door must be opened.
The battery saver feature will also be activated when
any door of your vehicle is left open.
then
on or
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Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll k\
now how fast
you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive \
safely and economically.
The main components of your instrument panel
are:
A. Fog Lamp Switch
B. Instrument Panel Intensity Control
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped)
E. Horn
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
H. Ignition Switch
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
J. Fuse Panels
K. Climate Control System
L. Accessory Power Outlets
M. Gear Shift Lever
N. Audio System
0. Park Brake Pedal
P. Tilt Wheel Lever
Q. Hood Release Lever
R. Trunk Release Button
S. Instrument Panel Cupholder
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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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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
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. With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you
turn your
ignition on or start your engine and it
will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on and the chime sounds 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 vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes,
but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular
brake system warning light
is also on, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light” earlier
in
this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
2-53

Low Coolant Warning Light
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.
m
This light comes on briefly
when you
turn your
ignition to
ON.
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible
signs of steam, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
before opening
the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.