1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE steering wheel

Side Window Latches
The rear of each side window swings open.
To open, push the latch
forward to release it, then
swing the window outward.
Press the center of the latch
to secure the window in the
open position.
To close, pull the center of the latch forward and then
close the latch. Press the center of the latch to secure the
window in the closed position.
Power Rear Quarter Windows
This button, located in the
overhead console
switchbank, is used for
opening and closing the
rear quarter windows.
Press the top ribbed side of the button to open the
windows; both windows will open. The windows can be
opened fully
or only a portion depending on how long
the button is pushed.
Press the bottom symbol side of the button to close
both windows.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbols on
your steering wheel.
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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering
wheel to a comfortable
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
1
Icr
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The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer
Windshield Wiper and Washer Control
0 Cruise Control
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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 SignalMultifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
E. Instrument Cluster
F. 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 (Option)
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
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systc-;
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
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3-3
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-8
3-9 3-10
3- 14 Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
Heating
Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Rear Climate Control (If Equipped)
Ventilation System
Setting the Clock for All Systems
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control
(If Equipped) 3-18
3 -20
3-21
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3 -25
3 -25
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3-27 Rear Seat
Audio
(If Equipped)
Remote Compact Disc Player (If Equipped)
Theft-Deterrent Feature Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
Integrated Windshield Antenna
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
VOL: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio
is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again to
turn on the sound. This button may be used when
listening to the radio,
a cassette tape or a compact disc.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to a higher radio
station and the down arrow to tune to a lower radio
station. The sound will mute while seeking. When
playing
a cassette tape or compact disc, press SEEK to
hear the next selection.
AM-FM: Press this button to choose AM or FM.
PRESET Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset buttons.
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This light should come
on briefly when you start
the engine.
If it stays
on
or comes on while you
are driving, there’s a
problem with your traction
control system.
See “Traction Control System Warning Light” in the
Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To
limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off
if you ever need to. (You
should turn the system
off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
c the TCS symbol on the
C bottom of the button in the
C center console switchbank.
The indicator light on the
traction control button will
c
go off.
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If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the indicator light will go
off, but the system will
not turn
off until there is no longer a current need to
limit wheel spin. You can turn the system back on at any
time by pressing the button again. The traction control
system warning light should go
off.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the
very best braking.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us
is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition
of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve
is banked, and your speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through
a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you
do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle
the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed.
Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to
go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front
of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking in
Emergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available. An
emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible
is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
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