wheel Oldsmobile Aurora 2001 s User Guide

2-16
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
With the ignition off and the driver's door open, you'll
hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and so will your ignition
and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
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 keys. But what if you have to leave your
ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Move the trunk release lockout switch to ON.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all doors except the driver's.

Give the valet key to the valet. Then take the
master key with you.

2-21
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to four different positions.
LOCK (A): This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It's a theft
-deterrent feature.
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. But 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.
ACCESSORY (B): This position lets you use your
electrical power accessories such as power windows,
power sunroof (option), radio and the windshield wipers.
RUN (C): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. This is the
position for normal driving. Even when the engine is not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (D): This position starts your engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.

2-22 Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the LOCK ignition position,
you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver's door.
Always leave your key in LOCK. If you leave it in any
other position, you will drain the battery power.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have electrical power to accessories such as the
power windows, audio steering wheel controls, clock,
sunroof (option), accessory power outlet and the radio
for up to 10 minutes. The instrument panel cluster lights
will stay on for a few seconds, then go out. Once you
open a door, the power will shut off.
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.

2-26
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.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.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. 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 key is in RUN.

2-27
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-28
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than approximately 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.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, 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, or

when going down a steep hill.SECOND (2): This position gives you more power
but lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3). 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.
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 selector
lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift into
FIRST (1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can'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 or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

2-34
CAUTION:
It can be 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've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Press on the center area of the steering wheel to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull
the lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.

2-41 Windshield Washer
The lever on the right side of your steering column also
controls your windshield washer. To spray washer fluid
on the windshield, push the button on the end of the
lever. The wipers will clear the window and then either
stop or return to your preset speed. For more washer
cycles, push and hold the button.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Ice build up can block washer nozzles. Remove ice for
proper operation.
If the fluid level in the windshield washer bottle is low,
the message LOW WASHER FLUID will appear in the
Driver Information Center. See ªWindshield Washer
Fluidº in the Index.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.

2-42
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Push the cruise control switch located at the end of
the lever in to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push the lever down to SET
-CST and release it.
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-63
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Air Outlet
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Steering Wheel Controls for Climate Control System
D. Steering Wheel Controls for Audio System
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
F. Driver Information Center (DIC)
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
H. Climate Control System
I. Instrument Panel Brightness ControlJ. Trip Odometer Buttons
K. Hood Release
L. Parking Brake
M. Cruise Control Lever
N. Ignition Switch
O. Audio System
P. Accessory Power Outlet
Q. Glove Box (Trunk Release Lockout Switch inside)