brake OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1998 User Guide

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 “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If
you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a switch for its own window.
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down fe.ature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the switch back, and
the driver’s window will open a small amount.
Tf the
switch is moved all the way back, the window will go all
the way down.
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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 can really help 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.
A CAU‘ [ON:
I
Setting Cruise Control
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.
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.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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 it.
I I
1. Push the cruise control
button on the instrument
panel to turn it on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
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3. Push the COAST/SET
button on your steering wheel and release it. Once
you’re going about
25 rnph (40 km/h)or more,
press the RES/ACCEL
button on your steering
wheel. You’ll go right back
up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on after the cruise control has been set to the
desired speed.
It will go off when you:
step lightly on the brake pedal,
0 press CLEAR on the steering wheel or
0 press the CRUISE button on the instrument panel.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset
it.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the COAST/SET button on the steering wheel,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Press the RES/ACCEL button on the steering wheel.
Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want
and then release the switch. (To increase your speed
in very small amounts, press the RES/ACCEL
button for less than half a second and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will
go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.)
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The accelerate feature will only work after you set the
cruise control speed by pressing the COAST/SET button
on the steering wheel.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press the COAST/SET button on the steering wheel
until
you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
COASTBET button on the steering wheel for less
than a half second. Each time you do this, you’ll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot
off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to cancel the cruise control:
0 Step lightly on the brake pedal,
0 Press CLEAR on the steering wheel or
Press the CRUISE button on the instrument panel.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
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Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off and
0 The parking brake is released.
When the
DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t
be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will turn off and your headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on.
When it’s bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go
off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in
OFF. Then start your
vehicle. The DRL, headlamps and parking lamps will
stay off until
you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
To turn the fog lamps on,
press the fog lamp switch.
A light will glow on the
switch
to let you know that
they are on. (Your parking
lamps must be on, or your
fog lamps won’t come on.)
Press the switch again to
turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go
off whenever you change to
high-beam headlamps. When you return to low beams,
the fog lamps will come on again.
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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 modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
This light will come
on
when you start your engine.
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
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition
as
a check to show you it’s
working. Then it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes
on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system.
It could
indicate that you have a loose drive belt or another
electrical 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 air conditioner.
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.
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BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. 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
gehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
.n the Index.)
A 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 waming 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 it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
A warning chime will sound if your parking brake is set
and the gear shift is not in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and
it will
stay on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes. 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.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.)
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Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
TRAC
OFF
If the warning light stays
on, or comes on when
you’re driving, there may
be a problem with your
Enhanced Traction System
and your vehicle may
need service. The
Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:
e
0
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
0
If you turn the system off by pressing the button on
the console, the warning light will come on and stay
on.
To turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should
go off. (See
“Enhanced Traction System” in the Index
for
more information.)
The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if
your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If
the system is turned on and the warning light stays
on after your parking brake is
fully released, it
means there’s a problem with the system.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn
off and
the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period
of time when the
system is turned on and the parking brake is fully
released, your vehicle needs service.
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Low Traction Light
LOW
TRAC
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on.
If you have
the Enhanced Traction System, this light will
also come on when the system is limiting wheel spin. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if the low traction light
comes on,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The light
will stay
on for a few seconds after the anti-lock system
stops adjusting brake pressure or the Enhanced Traction
System stops limiting wheel spin.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will
be there to tell you when the anti-lock brake system or
Traction Control System is active.
Slippery road conditions may exist
if the low traction
light comes on,
so adjust your driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
\C
You have a gage that shows
the engine coolant
temperature. If
the gage
moves into the red area,
your engine
is too hot.
The low traction light also comes on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If the light doesn’t come on
then, have
it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the
anti-lock brake system or Enhanced Traction System
is active.
For the optional Traction Control System, the low
traction light comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition to ON. That
reading means the same thing
as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in
your Oldsmobile: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in
the Index.) Defensive
driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver,
in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle
in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on
the
floor -- makes proper defensive driving more
difficult and can even cause
a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or
pull off the road in a safe place to do them yourself.
These simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.
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