2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette warning

2-107
Fuel Gage
United States Canada
When the indicator nears empty, 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 come 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.

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 when the ignition
is turned off.

2-108
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)
United States Canada
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.

2-109
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.
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)
United States Canada
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.

2-110 Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message
United States Canada
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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Low Oil Pressure Message
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a low oil pressure
warning message.
Your oil pressure message lets you know when you may
have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also be
another problem causing low oil pressure.

2-112 Change Engine Oil Message
United States Canada
If this 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
United States Canada
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.

2-113
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.
Door Ajar Warning Message
United States CanadaThis 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
United States Canada
This message will come on when the ignition is turned
to RUN or START and the rear hatch is open.

2-114 PASS-Key

III Security Message
United States Canada
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. See ªPASS
-Key IIIº in the Index
for more information.
Low Fuel Warning Message
United States Canada
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.

4-7
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your anti
-lock brake system will check
itself. You may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a little.
This is normal.
If there's a problem with
the anti
-lock brake system,
this warning light will stay
on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº
in the Index.