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1-14
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn't long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you'd be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there's a sudden stop or crash.
Shoulder Belt Tightness Adjustment
Your car has a shoulder belt tightness adjustment
feature. If the shoulder belt seems too tight, adjust it
before you begin to drive.
1. Sit well back in the seat.
2. Start pulling the shoulder belt out.
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2-17
If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and then
shuts off while the ignition is on, the security system has
detected a problem. See your dealer for service.
If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
remote lock control transmitter, the alarm will go off. It
will also go off if the trunk lock or door locks are
damaged. Your vehicle's lamps will flash and the horn
will sound for several minutes, then will go off to save
battery power.
Remember, the theft
-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
only activates if you use the power door lock switch or
remote lock control transmitter. You should also
remember that you can start your vehicle with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off, but this
does not shut off the alarm.
Here's how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you don't want to activate the theft
-deterrent
system, lock the door either using a key, or the
manual door lock switch.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
lock control system. Unlocking a door any other way
will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your key.You can also turn off the alarm by pressing UNLOCK
on the remote lock control transmitter. The alarm won't
stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the driver's
window and open the driver's door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote lock control transmitter.
3. Get out of the car, close the door and wait for the
SECURITY light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, but the
vehicle's lamps flash, check to see if the horn works.
The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see
ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
If the alarm does not sound, or the vehicle's lamps do
not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by an
authorized service 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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2-22
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 4.0L V8 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
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2-25
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
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº 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.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (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.
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2-37 Lamps On Reminder
If the headlamp switch is left on you'll hear a warning
chime when you turn the ignition off, remove the key
from the ignition and open the driver's door.
Flash-To-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
If your headlamps are off, your high
-beam headlamps
will turn on. They'll stay on as long as you hold the
lever there. Release the lever to turn them off.
If your headlamps are on, but on low beam, the system
works normally. Just pull the lever until it clicks. Your
headlamps will shift to high beam and stay there. To
return to low beam, just pull the lever toward you.
If your headlamps are on, and on high beam, your
headlamps will switch to low beam. To get back to high
beam, pull the lever toward you.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of your steering column
controls your windshield wipers.
For a single wiping cycle, move the lever up to MIST.
Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more
cycles, hold the lever to MIST longer.
For steady wiping at low speed, push the lever down to
the LO position. For high
-speed wiping, push the lever
down further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move the lever
to OFF.
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2-52 Convenience Net
Your vehicle has a convenience net just inside the back
wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can. You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when you're not using it.
Two positions exist for the convenience net, depending
on the size of the cargo.
Use this position for small loads.
Use this position for slightly larger loads.
When installing the net in either position, be sure the
ªup labelº (A) is pointing up.
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2-57 Programming the Transmitter
Do not use the Universal Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the ªstop and reverseº
safety feature. This includes any garage door opener
model manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door you are programming.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. If you have previously programmed a Universal
Transmitter channel, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise,
hold down the two outside buttons on the Universal
Transmitter until the indicator light begins to flash
rapidly (after 20 seconds). Then release the buttons.
This procedure initializes the memory and erases any
previous settings for all three channels.2. Decide which one of the three channels you want to
program. Hold the end of the hand-held transmitter
about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) away from the
surface of the Universal Transmitter so that you can
still see the indicator light.
3. Using both hands, press the hand
-held transmitter
button and the desired button on the Universal
Transmitter. Continue to press both buttons
through Step 4.
4. Hold down both buttons until you see the indicator
light on the Universal Transmitter flash slowly and
then rapidly. The rapid flashing indicates that the
Universal Transmitter has been programmed.
Release both buttons once the indicator light starts
to flash rapidly.
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