2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette light

2-106
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine
may not run as efficiently as designed since small
amounts of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a
misfire. The system can detect this. Adding fuel should
correct this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap
properly. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
It will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
See ªFuelº in the Index. Poor fuel quality will cause
your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or may
begin programs to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent you from getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to
help your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light
is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.

2-118 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 only be reset independently. Only the mode that is
displayed will be reset.
Rear Parking Assist (Option)
Rear parking assist can help you to determine how close
an object is to your rear bumper within a given area,
making parking easier. It is not intended to be used
primarily as a rear obstacle detection system.
The rear parking assist display is located inside the
vehicle, above the rear window. It has three color
-coded
lights that can be seen through the rearview mirror.
Rear parking assist can be
turned off by pressing the
rear park aid disable switch
located in the overhead
console switchbank.
How the System Works
If the rear park aid disable switch is not on, the rear
parking assist will turn on automatically when the shift
lever is moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle
speed is less than 3 mph (5 km/h). When the system
turns on, the three lights on the display will illuminate
for 1.5 seconds to let you know that the system is
working. Rear parking assist senses how close your
vehicle is to an object. The distance is determined by
the four ultrasonic sensors located on the rear bumper.

2-119
When shifting into REVERSE (R) and an object is
detected, one of the following will occur:
A chime will sound the first time an object is detected,
if the object is between 20 inches (0.5 cm) and
5 feet (1.5 m) away.
Rear parking assist can detect objects 3 inches (7.6 cm)
and wider, and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall, but it
cannot detect objects that are above liftgate level.
In order for the rear sensors to recognize an object,
it must be within operating range.If the rear parking assist system is not functioning
properly, the display will flash red, indicating that there
is a problem unless, the disable switch is on. The light
will also flash red when shifting into REVERSE (R)
if a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or if a bicycle
or an object was on the back of, or hanging out of
your liftgate during your last drive cycle. The light will
continue to flash, whenever in REVERSE (R), until the
vehicle is driven forward at least at 15 mph (25 km/h)
without any obstructions behind the vehicle.
It may also flash red if the ultrasonic sensors are not
kept clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free
of mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush or the system may
not work properly. If after cleaning the rear bumper and
driving forward at least 15 mph (25 km/h), the display
continues to flash red, see your dealer.
It will also flash red if your vehicle is moving in
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Other conditions that may affect system performance
include things like the vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
As always, drivers should use care when backing up
a vehicle. Always look behind you, being sure to
check for other vehicles, obstructions and blind spots.
For cleaning instructions, see ªCleaning Your Vehicleº
in the Index.

3-3
DEFOG: This setting directs air to the windshield
and through the floor ducts. This mode is useful during
cold or inclement weather because of your vehicle's
larger windshield area.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the
air to the windshield and side window vents.
Mode Buttons
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button (the light
will glow) to send outside air into your vehicle.
Using this setting while trying to defrost or defog the
windows will help clear the vents of moisture. Press the
RECIRCULATION button (the light on the OUTSIDE
AIR button will go off) to limit outside air entering the
vehicle. When the LOWER, DEFOG or DEFROST
setting is selected, the system will automatically go to
OUTSIDE AIR mode.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button
(the light will glow) to limit the amount of outside air
entering your vehicle by recirculating much of the air
inside your vehicle. You may use this setting to limit
odors entering your vehicle. Press the OUTSIDE AIR
button (the light on the RECIRCULATION button will
go off) to let outside air circulate into the vehicle.Operating the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
(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.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows
long enough to let hot, inside air escape. For all
settings, adjust the temperature knob and fan speed
as desired.
To get maximum cooling or a quick cool
-down on
very hot days, press the A/C and RECIRCULATION
buttons (the lights will glow) and turn the temperature
knob counterclockwise (toward the blue area). Adjust
the mode knob to direct the air to the desired location.
This setting should not be used for long periods of time
because the air may become too cold and dry. Push the
A/C button again (the light will go off) to turn off the
air conditioning.

3-4
When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air,
so you may sometimes notice water dripping from
under your vehicle's engine compartment when it is
idling or after it has been turned off. This is normal.
Heating
Turn the temperature knob clockwise (toward the
red area) to warm the air.
In the LOWER setting, outside air will be brought in
and sent through the floor outlets. The heater works
best if you keep your windows closed while using it.
The BI
-LEVEL setting is designed for use on sunny
days when the air is only moderately warm or cool.
On days like these, the sun may adequately warm your
upper body, but your lower body may not be warm
enough. For the best results, turn the temperature knob
to the middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35
F (2
C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed
until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal
condition designed to provide heat to the passenger's
compartment and defrost the windows more quickly.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use
it during cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) or lower, your
heating system will provide heat more quickly because
the engine coolant is already warmed. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
knob all the way clockwise (to the red area) and turn
the mode knob to DEFROST. Adjust the fan to the
highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air through
the heater ducts, turn the mode knob to DEFOG.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.

3-7
Mode Buttons
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button (the light
will glow) to send outside air into your vehicle.
Using this setting while trying to defrost or defog the
windows will help clear the vents of moisture. Press the
RECIRCULATION button (the light on the OUTSIDE
AIR button will go off) to limit outside air entering the
vehicle. When the LOWER, DEFOG or DEFROST
setting is selected, the system will automatically go to
OUTSIDE AIR mode.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button (the light
will glow) to limit the amount of outside air entering
your vehicle by recirculating much of the air inside your
vehicle. You may use this setting to limit odors entering
your vehicle. Press the OUTSIDE AIR button (the light
on the RECIRCULATION button will go off) to let
outside air circulate into the vehicle.
Operating the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
(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.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows
long enough to let hot, inside air escape. For all
settings, adjust the temperature knob and fan speed
as desired.
To get maximum cooling or a quick cool
-down on very
hot days, press the A/C and RECIRCULATION buttons
(the lights will glow) and move the temperature lever
down (toward the blue area). Adjust the mode knob to
direct the air to the desired location. This setting should
not be used for long periods of time because the air may
become too cold and dry. Push the A/C button again
(the light will go off) to turn off the air conditioning.
When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air, so
you may sometimes notice water dripping from under
your vehicle's engine compartment when it is idling or
after it has been turned off. This is normal.

3-9 Rear Window Defogger
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 knob.
When it's cold outside, set the main climate control mode
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.
To send conditioned air to the rear of the vehicle, press
the A/C button (the light will glow) on the main climate
controls. If you do not select A/C, air directed to the rear
of the vehicle will be cabin temperature.

3-34
When a traffic announcement comes on the tuned
radio station or a related network station, you will
hear it, even if the volume is muted or a compact disc is
playing. If the compact disc player was being used, the
compact disc will stay in the player and resume play at
the point where it stopped.
INFO: If the current station has a message, INFO
will appear on the display. Press this button to see the
message. If the whole message does not appear on the
display, parts of the message will appear every three
seconds until the message is completed. To see the parts
of the message faster than every three seconds, press this
button again. A new group of words will appear on the
display. Once the complete message has been displayed,
INFO will disappear from the display until another new
message is received.
P
-TYPE: This button is used to turn on and off
Program Type (PTY) selections. PTY and the light next
to the button will turn on. The last selected PTY will
appear on the display for five seconds. Turn the P
-TYPE
knob to select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the
SEEK SCAN arrows to find radio stations of the PTY
you want to listen to. The last PTY selected will be used
for seek or scan modes. If a station with the selected PTY is not found, NONE
FOUND will appear on the display. If both P
-TYPE and
TRAF are on, the radio will search for stations with
traffic announcements and the selected PTY.
To use the P
-TYPE interrupt feature, press and hold
the P
-TYPE button until you hear a beep on the PTY
you want to interrupt on. When you are listening to a
compact disc, the last selected RDS FM station will
interrupt play if that selected PTY format is broadcast.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite Program Types (PTYs).
These buttons have factory PTY presets. You can set up
to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the
following steps:
1. Press P
-TYPE, if it is not already on.
2. Press AM FM to select FM1 or FM2.
3. Turn the P
-TYPE knob to select a PTY.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the PTY you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.