1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Owner's Manuals

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CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won't work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.

2-
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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
-6 Remote Lock Control (Option)
2
-10 Trunk
2
-12 Theft
2
-13 Passlock

2-13 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-14 Ignition Positions
2
-16 Starting Your Engine
2
-17 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-24 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-27 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-28 Engine Exhaust
2
-28 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-29 Windows
2
-30 Horn
2
-30 Tilt Wheel
2
-31 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-38 Exterior Lamps
2
-40 Interior Lamps
2
-42 Mirrors
2
-44 Storage Compartments
2
-47 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-48 The Instrument Panel-Your
Information System
2
-50 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-52 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

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Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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One key is used for the
ignition, the doors and all
other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has a
bar
-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before it is delivered.
Each tag has a key code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have one made easily using this tag.If you need a new key, go to your dealer for the correct
key code.
In an emergency, call the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance Program at 1
-800-442-OLDS (6537).
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.

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Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or remote lock control
transmitter, if your vehicle is equipped with it.
From the inside, to lock the door, move the locking
lever forward.
To unlock the door, move the locking lever rearward.

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2-5 Power Door Locks
With the power door locks,
you can unlock or lock all
of the doors of your vehicle
from the driver or front
passenger door lock switch.
Pull up on the switch to unlock all the doors. Push down
on the switch to lock the doors.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors of your vehicle is not closed
properly, the ignition is on and you shift from PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N), you will hear a chime. Also, a door
ajar light on the instrument panel will come on and stay
on until the doors are closed and completely latched.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors of your
vehicle from the inside.
The switch is located on the inside of the rear door. To
use one of these locks:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.

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The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use. If you want to
open a rear door when the security lock is on:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
If you don't cancel the security lock feature, adults or
older children who ride in the rear won't be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door lock:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open it from
the outside.
2. Move the switch down.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear doors will now work normally.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and lock
the doors from the inside, then get out and close
the door.
Remote Lock Control (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote lock control
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
In addition, the system
illuminates the interior
lights for a set period of
time. The remote lock
control system consists of a
receiver, which is located in
the vehicle, and two
hand
-held transmitters.
Your remote lock control operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.