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v
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com
2-
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2-1
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 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Lock Control
2
-14 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Universal Theft-Deterrent
2
-18 PASS-KeyII
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-31 Engine Exhaust
2
-33 Windows
2
-34 Tilt Wheel
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-44 Interior Lamps
2
-47 Mirrors
2
-51 Storage Compartments
2
-54 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-54 OnStar System (Option)
2
-55 Sunroof (Option)
2
-56 Universal Transmitter
2
-60 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-64 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-75 Driver Information Center
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2-19
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS
-Key II to have a new key made.
If you're ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on or PASS
-KEY SYSTEM FAULT appears, you will
be able to restart your engine if you turn it off. Your
PASS
-Key II system, however, is not working properly
and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not
protected by the PASS
-Key II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS
-Key II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key II
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Center at
1
-800-442-OLDS (6537). In Canada, call
1
-800-268-6800.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º 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.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
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
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for more
information.
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2-27
Press the button on your shift lever so that it's either in
the NORMAL or POWER position. When it's in the
NORMAL position, the line on the button will be
showing. When in POWER, the line is not showing.
In the NORMAL position, the transaxle shifts at lower
engine speeds. For increased performance, you may
choose the POWER mode.
Parking Brake
Setting the parking brake: Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the
parking brake indicator light will come on.Releasing the parking brake: You will need to use the
PUSH TO RELEASE parking brake pedal. Hold the
regular brake down and push the parking brake pedal
with your left foot. This will release the parking brake
pedal. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will follow it to the released position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the parking
brake indicator light stays on. The PARK BRAKE SET
message will appear in the Driver Information Center,
and a chime will sound until you release the parking
brake or recycle the ignition.
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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That part shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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2-42
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or
Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light
will also go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
See ªTurn Signal/Multifunction Leverº in the Index.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime 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.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.The DRL system will make your low
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:
the ignition is on,
the headlamp switch is off and
the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your low
-beam headlamps will
be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your low
-beam headlamps
will change to full brightness. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also come on. When it's
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
your low
-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the
transaxle into PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are in
PARK (P), turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control, located to the left of the steering
column, all the way toward MIN. See ªTwilight
Sentinelº in the Index.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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2-66 Battery Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to show
you it is working, then it
should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
A warning chime and the message CHECK CHARGE
SYSTEM may also come on. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
This light should come on
when you turn the ignition
key to START.
If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's a problem. If this warning
light stays on after you start the engine, there could be
a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
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2-67
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake 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.
Parking Brake Indicator Light
When the ignition is on, this
light will come on when
you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if
your parking brake doesn't
release fully.
If you try to drive off with the parking brake set,
a chime will also come on until you release the
parking brake.
This light should also come on when you turn the
ignition key to START. If it doesn't come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to remind you if the parking
brake is applied or hasn't released fully.
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2-68 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on 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 ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you're driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
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