2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette tow

2-101
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States CanadaThis light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº and ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.

2-105
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has
a flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Air Conditioning with Temperature Control
Fan Knob
The left knob is the fan knob and is used to select the force of
air you want. Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed
and counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. The fan must be
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.Temperature Knob
The center knob controls the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn the knob clockwise
toward the red area for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob is used to select the direction of the air
flowing into the vehicle.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the front instrument panel outlets,
while warmer air is directed through the floor ducts.
(Floor): This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. This setting is also used to send
air to the rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the
front seats free of objects that could obstruct airflow to
the rear of the vehicle.

3-4
Driver's Side Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on the
driver's side independent of the temperature set by the
passenger. Slide the D lever upward to raise the
temperature. Slide the D lever downward to lower the
temperature.
Passenger's Side Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on
the passenger's side independent of the temperature
set by the driver. Slide the P lever upward to raise
the temperature. Slide the P lever downward to lower
the temperature.
Mode Knob
The right knob is used to select the direction of the air
flowing into the vehicle.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets and the rear console outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the instrument panel outlets and the
rear console outlets, while warmer air is directed
through the floor ducts.
(Floor): This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. This setting is also used to send
air to the rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the
front seats free of objects that could obstruct airflow to
the rear of the vehicle.
(Defog): This setting directs air to the windshield
and through the floor ducts. This mode is particularly
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.

3-5
Mode Buttons
(Outside Air): Press this button to send outside
air into your vehicle. The light in the button will glow
when outside air is in use. Using this setting while trying
to defrost or defog the windows will help clear the vents
of moisture. While floor, defog or defrost mode is
selected, the system will automatically go to outside air
mode.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. The light in
the button will glow when recirculation is in use. You
may use this setting to limit odors entering your 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.
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn
the air conditioning compressor on and off. The light in
the button will glow when the air conditioning is in use.
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 control 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 and
move the temperature control 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 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.

3-6 Heating
Move the temperature control toward the red area to
warm the air.
In the floor mode, 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, move the temperature control 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
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, move the temperature
control 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 floor 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.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the bi
-level setting and adjust the fan to the highest
speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument panel
toward the side windows. For increased airflow to the
side vents, close the center vents.
Operating the 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.
For additional information, refer to ªRecirculationº
earlier in this section.

3-44 Audio Speakers
Only one audio source can be heard through the
speakers at one time.
Audio from the radio, cassette or CD player will be
heard through all speakers when the front audio system
is being used and the rear seat audio system is off.
Sound from the DVD player or an auxiliary device can
be heard through all speakers when the front audio
system and rear seat audio are off and a DVD or
auxiliary device is playing.
When the front audio system is on, to hear the DVD,
auxiliary device or the rear seat audio system you must
use the headphones. With the rear seat audio system on,
the speaker in the overhead console and the rear
speakers are muted.
The speaker in the overhead console is set at a low level
and is not intended to be heard at a high volume.
Video Screen
The video screen is located in the overhead console.
To use the video screen, do the following:
1. Push forward on the release button and the screen
will fold down.
2. Pull the screen toward you and adjust its position
as desired.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Control System (Option)
4
-11 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System (Option)
4
-11 Steering
4
-13 Off-Road Recovery
4
-14 Passing
4
-15 Loss of Control
4
-16 Driving at Night4
-18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-20 City Driving
4
-21 Freeway Driving
4
-22 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-23 Highway Hypnosis
4
-24 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-25 Winter Driving
4
-30 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-32 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-34 Towing a Trailer