2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manuals

1-77
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a
lap
-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should
not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,
which could cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can't properly spread the impact forces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must be
used by only one person at a time.

1-78
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
ªRear Safety Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child's face or neck, you might
want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt,
if your vehicle has one.

1-79
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.
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.

1-80
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 the frontal air bags inflate, you'll also need to replace
the driver's and right front passenger's safety belt
buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new buckle
assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.
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-
2-1
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 Windows
2
-5 Keys
2
-7 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-16 Multifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choices
2
-26 Dual Sliding Doors
2
-28 Power Sliding Door (Option)
2
-35 Liftgate
2
-36 Theft
2
-37 Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
2
-40 PASS-Key
III
2
-42 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-42 Ignition Positions
2
-44 Starting Your Engine
2
-45 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-47 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-51 Parking Brake
2
-52 Shifting Into PARK (P)2
-54 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-55 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-55 Engine Exhaust
2
-56 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-57 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-64 Exterior Lamps
2
-67 Interior Lamps
2
-72 Storage Compartments
2
-85 Accessory Inflator System (Option)
2
-87 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-88 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-91 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-94 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-99 Warning Lights, Gages, Messages
and Indicators
2
-108 Message Center
2
-115 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)
2
-118 Rear Parking Assist (Option)

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially
with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3
Power WindowsThe switches on the driver's door armrest control
the front windows when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in
the Index. The left switch controls the driver's window.
The right switch controls the passenger's window.
The driver's power window switch has two down
positions. Push the switch to the first position to
lower the window normally.
To raise the window, pull up the front of the switch.
Express
-Down Windows
To activate the express
-down feature, push the switch
all the way down, to the second position, then release it.
The window will lower completely. To stop the window
from lowering all the way, pull up the front of the switch.

2-4 Side Window Latches
The rear of each side window swings open.
To open, push the latch
forward to release it,
then swing the window
outward. Press the center
of the latch to secure
the window in the
open position.
To close, pull the center of the latch forward and then
close the latch. Press the center of the latch to secure
the window in the closed position.
Power Rear Quarter Windows
(If Equipped)
This switch, located
in the overhead console
switchbank, is used
for opening and
closing the power
rear quarter windows.
Press the top ribbed side of the switch to open the
windows; both windows will open. The windows can
be opened fully or partway depending on how long the
switch is pushed.
Press the bottom of the switch to close both windows.
The windows can be closed fully or partway depending
on how long the switch 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.