2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering

2-53
Power Rear Quarter Windows
(If Equipped)
This button, located in
the overhead console
switchbank, is used
for opening and
closing the power 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 part way depending on how long
the button is pushed.
Press the bottom symbol side of the button to close both
windows. The windows can be closed fully or only part
way depending on how long the button is pushed.
The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY or when
retained accessory power (RAP) is active to use the
power rear quarter windows. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index .
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbols on
your steering wheel.
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 located on the left
side of the steering
wheel console.
Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-54
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Windshield Wiper and Washer Control

Cruise Control

Flash
-to-Pass
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.

2-83
The main components of the instrument panel are:
A. Side Vents
B. Front Vents
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
E. Instrument Panel Cluster
F. Center Vents
G. Audio System
H. Side Vents
I. Lamp Switch
J. Hood Release
K. Steering Wheel Touch Controls (Option)
L. HornM. Ignition Switch
N. Steering Wheel Touch Controls (Option)
O. Climate Controls
P. Rear Fan Controls (Option)
Q. Accessory Power Outlet
R. Storage Bin
S. Instrument Panel Switchbank
T. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
U. Glove Box
V. Front Vents
W. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
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.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-3 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-5 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
3
-5 Rear Climate Control (Option)
3
-8 Ventilation System
3
-9 Audio Systems
3
-9 Setting the Clock
3
-9AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
with Radio Data Systems (RDS) and
Automatic Tone Control
3
-16 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Radio Data Systems (RDS) and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)3
-23 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
Systems (RDS) and Automatic Tone Control
(If Equipped)
3
-33 Rear Seat Audio (If Equipped)
3
-35 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-35 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-36 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-36 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-37 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-38 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-38 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-38 Integrated Windshield Antenna

3-35
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. The feature works automatically by learning a
portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
If the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it will not
operate and LOCKED will be displayed.
With THEFTLOCK activated, your radio will not
operate if stolen.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio and remote playback functions using the buttons
on your steering wheel.VOLUME: 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, or any other radio button, to turn
on the sound.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to the next radio
station and the down arrow to tune to the previous radio
station. If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the
player will advance to the next selection with the up
arrow and go to the previous selection with the
down arrow.
PRESET: Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset buttons. When a
cassette tape is playing, press this button to change
tape sides.
AM FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, it will stop
and the radio will play.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions.
We've also included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Control System (Option)
4
-11 Steering
4
-13 Off-Road Recovery
4
-13 Passing
4
-15 Loss of Control
4
-16 Driving at Night4
-17 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-20 City Driving
4
-21 Freeway Driving
4
-22 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-23 Highway Hypnosis
4
-23 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-25 Winter Driving
4
-29 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-29 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-31 Towing a Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. (Also see ªTraction Control Systemº in
the Index.)
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up
your foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
But that's only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
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.
Traction Control System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on when
the traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See
ªTraction Active Messageº in the Index. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. (See ªCruise Controlº
in the Index.)