Page 83 of 363

2-19 Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your
ignition key?
If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
Be sure to close and lock the storage area.
Close all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver's.
Then take the remote keyless entry transmitter
with you.
Page 84 of 363

2-20
Passlock
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft
-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft
-deterrent system. Passlock
enables fuel to go to the engine if the ignition lock
cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not
used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel
flow is disabled.
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will
go off approximately five seconds after the key is turned
to START.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from START
as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock system is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle
is not protected by Passlock at this time. You may also
want to check the fuse. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº
in the Index. See your dealer for assistance.
In an emergency, contact Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index
for more information.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Page 85 of 363

2-21
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to four different positions.
Your ignition switch is located on the instrument panel.
A (OFF): This position locks your ignition and
transaxle. It's a theft
-deterrent feature. It's also the
only position from which you can remove your key.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY): This position lets you turn off the
ignition. It also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is off. In this position
your steering wheel will unlock. Use ACCESSORY if you
must have your vehicle pushed or towed.
C (ON): This position is where the key returns to
after you start the vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use ON to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
D (START): This position starts your engine.
Page 86 of 363

2-22 Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), the power
windows, audio system and sunroof (option) will
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition key
is turned to OFF and none of the doors are open.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
Page 87 of 363

2-23
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
This time keep the pedal down for five or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0F (-18C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32F (0C), use of the coolant heater is
not required.
Page 94 of 363
2-30
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Press in and hold the shift lever button located on
the left side of the shift lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave with the ignition key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
Page 96 of 363
2-32
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P) into the gear
that you want.If you ever hold the brake pedal down, but still can't
shift out of PARK(P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine, and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
Page 110 of 363

2-46 Illuminated Entry
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after you
close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open a door,
the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is cancelled if you turn the ignition key to ON
so that the lamps will dim out right away. When the
ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive, which
means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless
a door is opened.
Illumination on Door Handle Activation
Illumination on door handle activation is a standard
feature intended to provide enhanced security and
convenience by allowing the driver to activate the
vehicle interior illumination without unlocking or
opening any vehicle door.The ignition must be off and the doors locked for the
illumination on door handle activation to work. The
illumination on door handle activation feature can
function in two ways.
If the driver pulls and releases any front door handle
within one second, the interior lamps will illuminate
until one of the following occurs:
The ignition is turned to ON,
the power door locks are activated or
an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
Or, if the driver pulls and holds any front door handle
for more than one second, the interior lamps will
illuminate until one of the following occurs:
The ignition is turned to ON,
the door handle is released or
an illumination period of 50 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be cancelled, though
the interior lamps will remain on because a vehicle door
is open.