2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette key

2-44
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 warms up.
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 the engine doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one
-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START. Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key.

2-45
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 a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine
still won't start or starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on temperature.
When the engine starts, release the key and the
accelerator pedal.
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 (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) 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 32
F (0
C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.

2-47
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when you're in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This gear position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. 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 key is in RUN. As you step on the
brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you may hear a click
from the solenoid of the system. This ensures that the
system is operating properly.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in this section.
CAUTION:
It is 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.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-53
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Pull the lever toward you.

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-55
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P), when the
ignition is in RUN.
As you step on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P),
you may hear a click from the solenoid of the system.
This ensures that the system is operating properly.
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)
as you maintain brake application. Then try to move the
shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever hold the
brake pedal down but still can't shift out of PARK (P),
try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-68 Interior Lamps Override Switch
This switch is located
in the overhead
console switchbank.
Press the symbol on the switch to override control of the
interior lamps and turn off power to the reading lamps,
visor vanity lamps and glove box lamp. This feature
allows you to have the lamps off when any door is open.
Press the textured part of the interior lamps override
switch to turn power back on to the interior lamps. This
will allow the lamps to stay on when any door is open.
Illuminated Entry
With illuminated entry, the interior of your vehicle is
illuminated so that you can see inside before you enter
your vehicle. The lamps will come on for 40 seconds if
you unlock your door using your key or the optional
remote keyless entry transmitter and the ignition is in
LOCK or OFF. After 40 seconds have passed, the
interior lamps will slowly fade out. The lamps will turn
off before the 40 seconds if you:

Lock all the doors using the key,

press LOCK on the power door lock switch, or

press LOCK on the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter.
When any door is opened, illuminated entry is cancelled.
The interior lamps will stay on while any door or the
liftgate is open, and slowly fade out when all doors and
the liftgate are closed.
The interior lamps may stay on for up to 25 seconds
after all doors have been closed if they have not been
locked. See ªDelayed Illuminationº later in this section.
To turn the exit lighting feature off or on, see
ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº
in the Index.

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Delayed Illumination
The delayed illumination feature will continue to
illuminate the interior for 25 seconds after all doors have
been closed so that you can find your ignition and
buckle your safety belt at night. Delayed illumination
will not occur while the ignition is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. After 25 seconds have passed, the
interior lamps will slowly fade out. The lights will fade
out before the 25 seconds have passed if you:

Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY,

lock all doors using the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter, or

lock all the doors using the power door lock switch
or the key.
To turn the delayed illumination feature off or on, see
ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº
in the Index.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on
for about 25 seconds whenever you remove the key
from the ignition. If you turn the ignition key to RUN
or ACCESSORY, the lamps will fade out. The lamps
will also fade out if you lock the doors with the power
door lock switch or the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter.
When any door is opened, exit lighting is cancelled. The
interior lamps will stay on while any door or the liftgate
is open, and slowly fade out when all doors and the
liftgate are closed.
The interior lamps may stay on for up to 25 seconds
after all doors have been closed if they have not been
locked. See ªDelayed Illuminationº earlier in
this section.
To turn the exit lighting feature off or on, see
ªMultifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choicesº in
the Index.

2-73
Storage Compartments
Your vehicle's large carrying capacity can store many
items. You can carry things as large as a 4
x 8
piece of
plywood. You can also use the floor pins that are used to
attach the seats, to secure larger loads.
Glove Box
Your vehicle has a glove box below the instrument
panel. To open the glove box, lift the latch release.
Use the key to lock or unlock the glove box.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need it
fully open. To close the glove box, the door must be
pushed up past the detent.
In the door of the glove box, you will find a tissue pack
holder and clip for a pen or pencil.
Compact Overhead Console (Canada Only)
The front overhead console includes two reading lamps,
a storage compartment and a switchbank.