Page 7 of 340
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
BURNS
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
a
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
These symbols have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
RUNNING
*':**o
DAYTIME LAMPS
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
;II% 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 I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
n
HORN )b(
SPEAKER
b
FUEL m
V
ProCarManuals.com
Page 61 of 340

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, 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
2-8
2-
13
2- 14
2- 14
2- 15
2-
16
2- 17
2-18
2-20
2-24
2-25
2-27 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
Trunk
Theft
Passlock@
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P) 2-27
2-28
2-28
2- 29
2-30
2-3
1
2-38
2-40
2-43
2-46
2-49
2-50 2-55 Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior
Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Power Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1
ProCarManuals.com
Page 75 of 340

During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off after the engine is started.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the
START position as soon as the engine starts.
If you
are driving and the SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine
if you turn the
engine
off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your retailer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your retailer
for service.
If the SECURITY light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your retailer for service.
In
an emergency, call the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance Center at
1-800-442-OLDS (6537).
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle 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
2-15
ProCarManuals.com
Page 80 of 340

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has
a shift lever on the
console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles, when you’re in PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline components from
improper operations.
There are several positions for your shift lever.
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 engine 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. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
2-20
ProCarManuals.com
Page 81 of 340

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has a
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI). You must
fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while
keeping the brake pushed down. Then move the shift
lever out
of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever
button. See “Shifting Out
of PARK (P)” in the Index.
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
“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 “racing” (running at high
speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could 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:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com
Page 83 of 340

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you
go down steep
mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use
your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles
(40 km) at speeds over 55 mph (88 kmk), or you
can damage your transaxle. Use DRIVE
(D) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECOND
(2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
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
shift lever is put
in FIRST (l), 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 could 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.
2-23
ProCarManuals.com
Page 84 of 340
-
---king Brake
To set parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your
left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
released position.
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.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com
Page 85 of 340
Shifting Into PARK (P)
It can be 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.
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, use the steps that
follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
0 Hold in the button on the lever and push the lever all
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
2. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave with the ignition key in your hand, your
vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-25
ProCarManuals.com