2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette window

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.

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Overhead Console Switchbank
This switchbank is located in the overhead console. The
switchbank may include the interior lamps override, the
power sliding door, the power sliding door override, the
power rear quarter windows and the rear parking aid
disable. If your vehicle has the optional dual power
sliding doors, the switchbank will have both power
sliding door switches. The power sliding door override
switches will be integrated on the power sliding door
switches. If your vehicle does not have some of the
options controlled by these switches, there will be a
blank switch in its place.
For more information, see each of these features in
the Index.
Instrument Panel Switchbank
This switchbank is located in the instrument panel below
the comfort controls. The switchbank may include the
rear fan knob, rear window wiper/washer, the fog lamps,
the traction control and the heated seats. If your vehicle
does not have some of the options controlled by these
switches, there will be a blank button in its place.
For more information, see each of these features in
the Index.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the optional rear
climate control system, there will be a storage space in
this switchbank. The rubber mat can be removed for
cleaning. Snap the mat into place after cleaning.

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Liftgate
To unlock the liftgate from the outside, turn the key in
the cylinder clockwise or use the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter. To lock the liftgate using the
key, turn the key counterclockwise.
Open the liftgate using the handle above the license
plate. Once slightly opened, the liftgate will rise by
itself. Lamps in the rear of the vehicle will come on,
illuminating the rear cargo area. See ªInterior Lampsº
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Be sure there are no overhead obstructions, such
as a garage door, before you open the liftgate.
You could slam the liftgate into something and
break the glass.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the liftgate:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on vent and the outside air button pressed.
That will force outside air into your vehicle.
See ªComfort Controlsº
in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

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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 key. But what if you have to leave your
key? What if you have to leave something valuable in
your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.
Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system.
A light located on top of your instrument panel (near the
center of the vehicle, next to the windshield) will flash
slowly to let you know that the system has been armed.
While armed, the doors will not unlock with the power
door lock switch.

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Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to
enter the vehicle (without using the remote keyless
entry transmitter or a key), breaks a window, tries to
damage the vehicle or turns the ignition to ON. The
horn will sound and the parking lamps will flash for up
to two minutes.
When the alarm is armed, the liftgate may be opened
with the remote keyless entry transmitter or with a key.
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
Your alarm system will arm when you use either power
door lock switch to lock the doors while any door or the
liftgate is open and the key is removed from the ignition.
If you would like to turn on power door lock switch
arming, see ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index.
When the security light flashes quickly the system is
ready to arm with the power door lock switches. Then
the security light will stop flashing and stay on when
you press the rear of the power door lock switch, to let
you know the system is arming. After all doors and the
liftgate are closed and locked, the security light will
begin flashing at a very slow rate to let you know the
system is armed.
Arming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
Your alarm system will arm when you use your remote
keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors, if the key is
not in the ignition. The security light will turn on to let
you know the system is arming. After all doors and the
liftgate are closed and locked, the security light will
begin flashing at a very slow rate to let you know the
system is armed.
Arming with Your Key
Your alarm system will arm when you use your key to
lock the doors. The security light will turn on to let you
know the system is arming. After all doors and the
liftgate are closed and locked, the security light will
begin flashing at a very slow rate to let you know the
system is armed. If you would like your key not to arm
the system, see ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choicesº in the Index.

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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. 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.
C (OFF): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send power to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try to push
-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver's door when the ignition is off and the key is in
the ignition.D (RUN): This is the position to which the switch
returns after you start the engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in RUN when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical accessories, and to
display some instrument panel warning lights.
E (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and RUN
are positions that allow you to operate the electrical
accessories, such as the radio.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, the power windows, the power rear quarter
windows (if equipped), audio system and electronic
level control (ELC) will continue to work up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
OFF and none of the doors are opened.

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35F (2C) 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.
See ªComfort Controls, Heatingº in the Index for
more information.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer (so there is less shifting
between gears).

When going down a steep hill.

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Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.