2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette ignition

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Fuel Gage
United States Canada
When the indicator nears EMPTY (E), you still have a
little fuel left, but you should get more soon.
If your fuel is low, the warning message in the message
center will go on. See ªLow Fuel Warning Messageº
later in this section.Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. All
these things are normal and do not indicate that anything
is wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads FULL (F).

It takes a little more (or less) fuel to fill up than the
gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but
it took more (or less) than half of the tank's capacity
to fill it.

The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.

The gage may not indicate EMPTY (E) when the
ignition is turned off.

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Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument
panel cluster. It gives you important safety and
maintenance facts.
Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message center
when you turn on the
ignition as a check to show
you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Service Traction System Warning
Message (Option)
If your vehicle has the
traction control system and
this message is displayed
when you're driving, there
may be a problem with your
traction control system.
Your vehicle may need service.
When this message is displayed, the traction control
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The message may appear for the following reasons:

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning message will come on.
If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning message will
come on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning message will come on.

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If the traction control system warning message comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Traction Active Message (Option)
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
the TRACTION ACTIVE
message will appear when
the traction control system
is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message also comes on
briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
message doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be there to tell you when the traction control
system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message
This message will come
on when your engine gets
too hot.
If this message comes on, it means that your engine
coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
In ªProblems on the Road,º this manual shows what to
do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

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Low Engine Oil Level Message
If this message comes on, it
means your engine is low
on oil.
You need to check the oil level right away. Have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
Change Engine Oil Message
If the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message comes on
and stays on after you
start the engine, have the
oil changed.
For additional information, see ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index. After changing the engine oil the
system must be reset. See ªHow to Reset the Change
Engine Oil Messageº in the Index.
Power Sliding Door Warning Message
This message will come on
if the power sliding door is
not completely closed and
the ignition is turned to
RUN or START.
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) while the
power sliding door is open or in the process of closing,
and the power sliding door is turned off, a buzzer will
sound. This is a warning that the power sliding door is
not completely closed.
CAUTION:
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) and
accelerate before the power sliding door latches
closed, the door may reverse to the open position.
A child or others could fall out of the vehicle and
be injured. Always make sure the power sliding
door is closed and latched before you drive away.

2-100 Door Ajar Warning Message
This message will come on
when the ignition is turned
to RUN or START and the
driver's or passenger's door
is open.
It may also come on if a sliding door is not in the fully
latched position.
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message
This message will come on
when the ignition is turned
to RUN or START and the
rear hatch is open.
PASS-Key
III Security Message
If you are ever driving and
this message comes on and
stays on, you will be able to
restart your engine if you
turn it off.
Your PASS
-Key III system, however, is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS
-Key III system at
this time.
Low Fuel Warning Message
If your fuel is low, the
warning message will come
on and stay on until you
add fuel.
If the warning message is still on after adding fuel, you
need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning
message, turn the ignition to OFF then to ON. If the
message stays on, see your dealer right away.

2-102 Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between magnetic
north and geographic north. In some areas of the
country, the difference is great enough to cause the
compass to give false readings. If this occurs, the
compass variance must be set.
Setting the Variance
Turn the ignition on and cycle the DIC to the
compass/temperature mode. Press both the E/M and
MODE buttons simultaneously for approximately five
seconds. The last entered variance zone number will be
displayed. Press the E/M button until the proper
variance number, as shown on the map, is showing.
Press the MODE button to set the new variance zone
and resume normal operation.
The display will show all the display segments briefly to
acknowledge the change in zone number.
Automatic Compass Calibration
The compass is self
-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the calibration process may not be complete. In
these cases the calibration symbol ªCº will be displayed
where the compass reading is normally displayed.
To calibrate the compass, in an area free from large
metal objects, make three 360
turns. The calibration
symbol will turn off and the compass reading will
be displayed.

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Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the calibration
symbol does not appear, you must manually put the
compass into the calibration mode.
Turn the ignition on and cycle the DIC to the
compass/temperature mode. Press both the E/M and
MODE buttons simultaneously for at least 10 seconds
until the calibration symbol appears. Release both
buttons and complete three 360
turns in an area free
from large metal objects. The calibration symbol will
turn off and the compass reading will be displayed.
Error Displays

An error of the vehicle's speed sensor or fuel sender
will cause
-E- to be displayed.

In the absence of vehicle communications, a double
dash ª
--º is displayed.
If one of these error messages appear, see your dealer.
Trip Computer
There are five trip computer displays which may be
stepped through by pushing the MODE button. The
information will appear in the following order:

AVG ECON (Average Fuel Economy): This shows
the average fuel economy since the last reset.

INST ECON (Instantaneous Fuel Economy):
This shows fuel economy for the most recent
second of driving.

RANGE (Trip Range): This shows the estimated
distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel.
The fuel economy used to calculate range is based on
the last few hours of driving.

FUEL USED (Trip Fuel Used): This shows the
accumulated fuel used since the last reset.

AVG SPEED (Average Speed): This shows the
average speed since the last reset.
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold the MODE and E/M buttons for at least
two seconds. The reset is acknowledged with the display
showing all segments on briefly. A reset can only be done in
AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG SPEED displays.
AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG SPEED can be reset
independently. Only the mode that is displayed will be reset.

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Operating the HVAC system in the RECIRCULATION
mode may cause fogging of the vehicle's windows when
the weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch
the HVAC system to either the DEFOG or DEFROST
mode and increase the fan speed. To avoid re
-fogging of
the windows, operate the HVAC system in the
OUTSIDE AIR mode.
For additional information, refer to ªRECIRCULATIONº
earlier in this section.
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
Press the REAR button
(the light will glow) to
warm the defogger grid
on the rear window and to
turn on the heated outside
rearview mirrors.
The system will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes. You can also turn
the defogger off by turning off the ignition or by
pressing the button again.Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Rear Climate Control (Option)
If you have the optional rear climate control, the rear
seat passengers can control the temperature and the
amount of air directed to the rear of the vehicle. You can
also adjust the amount of air directed to the rear of the
vehicle using the front fan control knob.
When it's cold outside, set the main climate control
knob to LOWER, DEFOG or DEFROST, to send air
to the rear of the vehicle through the lower vents.
Set the main climate control mode knob to UPPER or
BI
-LEVEL to send air to the rear of the vehicle through
the headliner outlets.