2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manuals

1-75
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.

1-76
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.
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 or LATCH
system parts?
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 parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system 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
-55 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-55 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-56 Engine Exhaust
2
-56 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-58 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-65 Exterior Lamps
2
-67 Interior Lamps
2
-73 Storage Compartments
2
-84 Accessory Inflator System (Option)
2
-86 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-87 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
-116 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)
2
-119 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. The first position lowers the window
normally. The second position activates the
express
-down feature. 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 Window
To activate the express
-down feature, push the AUTO
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 textured part of the switch to open the
windows; both windows will open. The windows can
be opened fully or part way depending on how long
the switch is pressed.
Press the part of the switch with the symbol to close
both windows. The windows can be closed fully or part
way depending on how long the switch is pressed.
The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must be active,
to use the power rear quarter windows. See ªRetained
Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.

2-5
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-6
This key can be used for the
ignition as well as all door
locks, the liftgate lock and
the storage compartments.
If you need a new key, contact your dealer, who can
obtain the correct key code.
Your vehicle has the PASS
-Key
III vehicle theft
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that
matches a decoder in the vehicle's steering column. If a
replacement key or any additional key is needed, you
must purchase this key from your dealer. The key will
have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that
came with the original keys. Give this tag to your
dealer if you need a new key made.Any new PASS
-Key III key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. See ªPASS
-Key
IIIº
in the Index for more information on programming your
new key.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an
extra key.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index for more information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar system with
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside the
vehicle, OnStar may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. See ªOnStar

º in the Index for
more information.