ignition Oldsmobile Aurora 2001 s Owner's Guide

2-50
Mirrors
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle has an electrochromic inside rearview
mirror with a compass. Your vehicle's mirror may also
contain OnStar

controls.
This is the on/off button for mirrors equipped
with OnStar controls.
Pressing the MIRROR button (or the on/off button for
mirrors equipped with OnStar controls) located at the
bottom of the mirror, turns the automatic dimming
feature on or off.
The mirror also includes an eight
-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face. When on, the
compass automatically calibrates as the vehicle is driven.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.Mirror Operation
To turn on the automatic dimming feature, press MIRROR
(or press and hold the on/off button for about three seconds
for mirrors equipped with OnStar controls). To turn off
automatic dimming, press MIRROR (or press and hold
the on/off button for about three seconds for mirrors
equipped with OnStar controls) again. The green indicator
light will be illuminated when this feature is active.
The automatic dimming feature will be active each time
the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
Press COMPASS (or the on/off button for mirrors equipped
with OnStar controls) once to turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for approximately
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display the
compass heading.
Compass Calibration
If after two seconds, the display does not show a compass
heading (ªNº for North, for example), there may be a
strong magnetic field interfering with the compass. Such
interference may be caused by a magnetic antenna mount,
magnetic note pad holder or a similar magnetic item.
If the letter ªCº should ever appear in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration.

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NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
The cigarette lighter will only operate when the ignition
is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning the ignition
off. If you would like the lighter to operate regardless of
the ignition position, and for unlimited periods of time,
see ªEngine Compartment Bussed Electrical Centerº in
the Index or see your dealer.
Leaving an accessory on for a long period of time can
drain the vehicle's battery.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also remove them from the center mount and swing
them to the side, while the auxiliary visor remains to
block glare from the front.
To extend the visor at the sides, pull out the extension.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
When you open the cover to the driver or passenger side
visor vanity mirror, the lamps will come on.

2-56
Accessory Power Outlet
The accessory power outlet (12-volt) is located on the
front passenger's side of the vehicle, near the floor on
the console.
The outlet can be used to plug in electrical equipment
such as a cellular telephone, CB radio, etc. Follow the
proper installation instructions that are included with
any electrical equipment you install.
The accessory power outlet will only operate when the
ignition is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning the
ignition off. If you would like the accessory power
outlet to operate regardless of ignition position, and for
unlimited periods of time, see ªEngine Compartment
Bussed Electrical Centerº in the Index or see your dealer.
Leaving an accessory on for a long period of time can
drain the vehicle's battery.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory power outlet, the
maximum load of any electrical equipment
should not exceed 15 amps.
OnStar
System (If Equipped)
Onstar is a vehicle communications service. The
following services are available through a subscription
with OnStar and are available 24 hours a day:
Emergency Services

Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment

Stolen
-Vehicle Tracking

Roadside Assistance with Location

Remote Diagnostics

OnStar MED
-NET

Accident Assist
Convenience Services

Remote Door Unlock

Route Support

Concierge Services

Ride Assist
A complete user's guide is provided with the OnStar
System. For more information contact OnStar
at 1
-888-ONSTAR7.

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Assist Handles
A handle above each rear door and the front passenger's
door can be used to help you get in or out of your vehicle.
Garment Hook
For your convenience, you will find a two-hanger
capacity garment hook on each rear door assist handle.
Garment hooks are not designed to support clothing
bars. Use assist handles for this if possible.
Sunroof (Option)
If you have this feature,
the switches are located
between the sun visors.
There are two switches that operate the sunroof. The
switches will only work when the ignition is on or when
the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active.The OPEN/CLOSE switch has positions for open or
close and express open. The TILT/CLOSE switch has
positions for tilt or close.
Press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE switch to the
first position to open the glass panel and sunshade.
The sunshade can also be opened by hand. To close
the glass panel, press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE or
TILT/CLOSE switch in the close position. As the
glass panel closes, it will open slightly towards the tilt
position to provide a better seal. The sunshade can only
be closed by hand.
Press and release the OPEN/CLOSE switch rearward
to the second position to express open the glass panel.
It will stop in a partially open position. The glass panel
may be fully opened by pressing the OPEN/CLOSE
switch rearward again. When the glass panel is express
opening, pressing either switch in any direction will stop
it. If you press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE switch in
the express open position for more than one and a half
seconds, the express open operation will be overridden
and the sunroof will operate manually.
To tilt open the glass panel, press and hold the
TILT/CLOSE switch. The sunshade must be opened
by hand. To close the glass panel, press and hold
the TILT/CLOSE or OPEN/CLOSE switch in the
close position.

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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)

2-68 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag sensors, the
air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
On the DIC an AIR BAG PROBLEM message will
be displayed when there is a problem with the air bag
system. See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the
Index for more information.

2-69 Battery Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to show
you it is working; then it
should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a generator problem or
another electrical system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control system.
On the DIC a CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM message
will be displayed and a warning chime will sound.
See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index
for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
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 is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This 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 ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.

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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.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set,
a chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
A PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) while the park
brake is set and the vehicle is moving. The message
will not come on if the transaxle is in PARK (P).
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-73 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On
-Board
Diagnostics
-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust or fuel system of your vehicle or the
replacement of the original tires with other than
those of the same Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
can affect your vehicle's emission controls and may
cause the CHECK ENGINE light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.

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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.