1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass lock

Ignition Positions
A
hB
ACC (Accessory) (B): This position unlocks the
transaxle. It also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is not running.
To
use ACC, push in the key and turn it to the right. Use
this position
if your vehicle must be pushed or towed,
but never try to push-start your vehicle.
ON (C): This position unlocks the ignition and
transaxle. This position is also where the key returns
after you
start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in
ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to
operate your electrical power accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to
ON for normal driving.
With
the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to four positions.
OFF (A): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is
off. It is the only position from
which you can remove the key. This position locks your
ignition and transaxle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key is in the ignition.
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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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Leaving Your Vehicle With the
.;Engine Running
I
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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).

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transaxle.
You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(p). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a
little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you
can
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Oldsmobile has a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You have to apply your regular brake before you can
shift
from PARK (P) when the ignitian is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
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 into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the
shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but
still can’t
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the key to ON, to start the vehicle.
5. Shift to the drive gear you want.
6. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
shift out
of PARK
(P), try this:
Step 5.

Windows
Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The power window switches are located on the armrest
of the driver’s door.
In addition, each passenger door has
a switch for its own window.
Auto-Down switch
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Push the switch back
partway, and the driver’s window will open a small
amount.
If the switch is pushed all the way back, the
window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it
is lowering, move the
switch forward. To raise the window, move and hold the
switch forward.
Lock Out Switch
The driver’s power window controls also include a lock
out switch. Press
LOCK OUT to stop front and reat
passengers from using their window switches. The
driver can still control all the windows with the lock
on. Press the LOCK OUT button again for normal
window operation.
P .. ,.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
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Fog Lamps
The button for your fog.
lamps is on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
I
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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Power Remote Control Mirror
(If Equipped) Convex Outside Mirror Your
passenger’s side rnirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface
is curved so you can see more from the
diver’s seat.
A canvex mimor can make things (like other
vehicles)
look farther away thaa they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit
a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or gl’ance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
This switch is located on the armrest of the driver’s
door. Move
this switch to the left or right depending on
which mirror you need to adjust (center
is the off
position.) Then adjust the direction of the mirror
using the paddle marked with
arrows just below the
selector switch.
Storage ComDartments
Glove Box
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle toward you.
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