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The 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual
1-1 Seats and Restraint SystemsThis section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the ªSRSº system.
2-1 Features and ControlsThis section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsThis section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
4-1 Your Driving and the RoadHere you'll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
5-1 Problems on the RoadThis section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
6-1 Service and Appearance CareHere the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7-1 Maintenance ScheduleThis section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
8-1 Customer Assistance InformationThis section tells you how to contact Oldsmobile for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on ªReporting Safety Defectsº on page 8-10.
9-1 IndexHere's an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblem
and the name SILHOUETTE are registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
ªGeneral Motors of Canada Limitedº for Oldsmobile
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you're on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri‡taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fran†ais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9
Litho in U.S.A.
Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998
Part No. 22600385 B First Edition All Rights Reserved

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In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you'll need some new parts for your
air bag system. If you don't get them, the air bag
system won't be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the frontal air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system, when
the system commands air bag inflation and driver's
safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag
system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, or the air bag
covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger's air bag, or both the air bag
module and seatback for the driver's and right
front passenger's side impact air bag. Do not
open or break the air bag coverings.

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If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the
frontal and side impact air bags inflate and safety belt
pretensioners activate, even if there's no crash. You
would have to replace the air bags, all the sensors and
related parts, parts of the safety belt system and parts of
the driver and right front passenger's seatbacks. If your
vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it's exposed to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs by
turning off the vehicle immediately and disconnecting
the battery cables. Don't let anyone start the vehicle
under any circumstances. See your dealer for service.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the
air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see
ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. You'll find
them on the buckle end of the safety belts for the driver
and right front passenger. They help the safety belts reduce
a person's forward movement in a moderate to severe
crash in which the front of the vehicle hits something.
Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash,
you'll need to get new ones, and probably other new
parts for your safety belt system. See ªReplacing
Restraint System Parts After a Crashº in the Index.

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6. Select only one side of the harness. Place the harness
over the child's shoulder.
7. Push the latch plate (B) into the buckle until it clicks.
Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects that
may prevent you from securing the latch plates. If
you can't secure a latch plate, see your dealer for
service before using the child restraint.8. Place the other side of the harness over the
child's shoulder.
9. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
10. Pull up on both latch plates to make sure they
are secure.

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Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
This system has a range of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.Operation
Remote Driver's Door and All Door Unlock
When you press UNLOCK on the remote lock control
transmitter, only the driver's door will unlock. If you
press UNLOCK again within five seconds, all the doors
and the liftgate will unlock. If you would like all the
doors to unlock the first time you press UNLOCK, see
ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº in
the Index.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Content
Theft
-Deterrent system, the UNLOCK button on the
remote lock control transmitter will disarm the system.
See ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index for
more details.
Remote All Door Lock
To lock all doors, press LOCK on the remote lock
control transmitter (see ªPower Door Locksº in the
Index for more details on the power door lock features).
If your vehicle is equipped with the Content
Theft
-Deterrent system, the LOCK button may arm the
system. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index for
more details.

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If you want to open the sliding door when the security
lock is on, unlock the sliding door and open the door
from the outside.
You should let adults and older children know how the
security lock works, and how to cancel the lock. If you
don't, adults or older children who ride in the rear won't
be able to open the sliding door from the inside when
the security lock feature is in use.
Resetting the Power Sliding Door
The power sliding door may operate incorrectly or not at
all because of the following conditions:
A low voltage or dead battery,
Disconnecting the battery or
If the IGN 1, B/U LAMP, RADIO or PWR
SEAT/PSD fuse is removed or blown.
See ªFuse Panelº in the Index for more information
about your fuse panel.
If any of these conditions occur, the power sliding door
will need to be reset. To do this, follow the directions
listed here. It will be easier if you read through them
once before beginning this procedure.1. Check to be sure the power sliding door is unlocked
and securely closed.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
3. Enable the power sliding door override feature.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse from the underhood fuse
and relay center. Leave it out for 30 seconds.
5. Reinstall the fuse and wait 10 seconds.
6. Disable the power sliding door override feature.
7. Push either of the power door buttons to open the
power sliding door.
8. Open the door.
9. Wait five seconds and close the door by pushing
either power door button.
10. Wait five seconds and repeat Steps 7 through 9.
If the door does not rest in the fully open position after
repeating Step 7, repeat Steps 7 through 9 again. If the
door still does not operate correctly, see your dealer
for service.
NOTE: If your audio system is equipped with
THEFTLOCK and a code has been set to secure the
radio, the code must be unlocked when resetting the
power sliding door. See ªTHEFTLOCKº in the Index.

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Disarming with the Remote Lock
Control Transmitter
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your
remote lock control transmitter to unlock the doors.
The security light will stop flashing to let you know the
system is no longer armed.
Disarming with Your Key
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key
to unlock the doors. The security light will stop flashing
to let you know the system is no longer armed. If you
would like your key not to disarm the alarm system, see
ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº in
the Index.
Nuisance Alarms
If you experience nuisance alarms (alarms which are not
caused by the opening of a door or the liftgate and are
not desirable), you may need to reduce the damage
detection sensitivity. Try programming the Content
Theft
-Deterrent to Mode 1.
If you continue to experience nuisance alarms, you may
want to try turning off damage detection by
programming your Content Theft
-Deterrent to Mode 2.If you are still having trouble with nuisance alarms, you
can turn off the Content Theft
-Deterrent system by
programming your Content Theft
-Deterrent to Mode 3.
See ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº
in the Index for more information. See your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
PASS-Key III
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS
-Key III
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft
-deterrent system.
PASS
-Key III is a passive
theft
-deterrent system. This
means you don't have to do
anything different to arm or
disarm the system. It works
when you insert or remove
the key from the ignition.
Your PASS
-Key III system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.