
.
The 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
............................................. 1-22
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-45
Air Bag Systems
...................................... 1-69
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-77
Features and Controls
..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
................................................. 2-24
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-27
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-32
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-45
Onstar@ System
...................................... 2-47
HomeLink@ Transmitter
......................... 2-49
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-54
Vehicle Personalization
............................. 2-62
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-25
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
......... 3-39
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-60
Instrument Panel
............................................. 3-1
Messaye Center 5-3L n r~ .......................................
Audio
System(s) ....................................... 3-63
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-32
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................ 5-50
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-58
Tires
...................................................... 5-60
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-87
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-95
Electrical System
...................................... 5-96
Capacities and Specifications
................... 5-1 03
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
...... 5-1 05
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information
.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Driving Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-1
Service and Appearance Care
.......................... 5-1
Maintenance Schedule
..................................... 6-1
Index
................................................................ 1

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead
of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Warm-up Shift
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. See
Climate
Control System on
page 3-25 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
When going down a steep hill. between gears).
SECOND
(2): This position gives you more power,
but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes
off and on.
Notice: Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h),
or you can damage your transaxle. Use THIRD
(3) or
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) as much as possible.
Don’t
shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage
your engine.
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 THIRD (3) for higher speeds.
FIRST
(1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift
lever is put in FIRST
(I), the transaxle won’t downshift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.
Notice: If your front wheels won’t turn, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very
deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transaxle. Also, if you stop
when going
uphill, don’t hold your vehicle there with
only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and
damage the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a
hill.
2-38

Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from
the driver’s seat.
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
I
Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has the outside rearview mirrors, they are
heated when you activate the rear window defogger.
See “Rear Window Defogger” in
Climate Control System
on page 3-25.
2-46

Section 3 Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview ........................... 3.4
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................ 3.6
Other Warning Devices
............................... 3.6
Horn
............................................................. 3.7
Tilt Wheel
..................................................... 3-7
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
......................... 3.7
Exterior Lamps
............................................. 3.14
Interior Lamps
.............................................. 3.17
Switchbanks
................................................. 3.21
Instrument Panel Switchbank
.......................... 3-21
Overhead Console Switchbank
....................... 3.21
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
............ 3.22
Accessory Power Outlets
............................... 3.24
Climate Controls
............................................ 3.25
Climate Control System
................................. 3.25
Dual Climate Control System
.......................... 3.28
Rear Climate Control System
Rear Climate Control System (With Entertainment System)
...................... -3-34
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
................... 3.37
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
............. 3.39
Instrument Panel Cluster
................................ 3.40
Outlet Adjustment
......................................... 3.31
ilAlM-.nr I+ lZmtnwtq;n-mnt Ctrctnm \VUiLllWUL LIIL~ILUIIiIII~.. . Vy~L~..., .... ....... " "L 4-49
Speedometer and Odometer ........................... 3.41 Safety
Belt Reminder Light
............................. 3.42
Air Bag Readiness Light
................................ 3-43
Brake System Warning Light
.......................... 3-44
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
............. 3-45
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
...... 3-46
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
.................. 3-47
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............................. 3-47
Fuel Gage
................................................... 3-51
Message Center
............................................. 3-52
Service Traction System Warning Message
...... 3-52
Traction Active Message
................................ 3-53
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
.................................................. 3-53
Charging System Indicator Message
................ 3-54
Low Oil Pressure Message
............................ 3-54
Low Engine Oil Level Message
....................... 3-55
Change Engine Oil Message
.......................... 3-56
Power Sliding Door Warning Message
............. 3-56
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message
.................. 3-58
PASS-Key@
I II Security Message ................... -3-58
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message
....... 3-59
Low Fuel Warning Message
........................... 3-59
Driver Information Center (DIC)
....................... 3-60
Eee: P, jar '!!s:n?!g !!esss;e .......................... ... Iz-c;7 v .
3- 1

A. Side Outlets
B. Front Outlets
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
E. Instrument Panel Cluster
F. Center Outlets
G. Audio System
H. Side Outlets
I. Exterior Lamps Control
J. Hood Release
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
L. Horn
M. Ignition Switch
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
0. Climate Controls
P. Rear Fan Controls
Q. Cupholder Tray
R. Accessory Power Outlet
S. Instrument Panel Switchbank
T. Glove Box
U. Front Outlets
V. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
3-5

Switchbanks
There are two sets of switchbanks located in the front of
the vehicle. The switches will vary with the options
that are
on your vehicle.
Instrument Panel Switchbank
This switchbank is located in the instrument panel below
the comfort controls. The switchbank may include the
rear fan knob, the rear window wiper/washer, the fog
lamps, the traction control and the heated seats. If your
vehicle does not have some of these options, there will be
a biank.
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.
Overhead Console Switchbank
This switchbank is located in the overhead console.
The switchbank may include the interior lamps override,
the power sliding door(s)/override, the power rear
quarter windows and the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Aid
(URPA) disable switches. If your vehicle does not have
szme e! ?hese q??lzns, there !vi!! !E E? S!mk.
For more information, see each of these features in
the Index.
3-21

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airflow inside of your vehicle. To
change the current mode, select one of the following:
2 (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
+2 (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining
air to the floor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.
tg (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets. Use this mode 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.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging and
Defrosting” later in this section.
8f? (Fan): Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
?-c!rn the knnh tn OFF tn tL!!-!-! nfF the f3.n. The ?E!!? FLlSt he
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.
3-25