battery OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual
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Vehicle Symbols 
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. 
For example, 
these symbols  are  used  on  an 
original battery: 
POSSIBLE A 
CAUTION 
INJURY 
PROTECT  EYES  BY 
SHIELDING 
CAUSTIC 
ACID  COULD  BAllERY 
CAUSE 
BURNS 
AVOID 
SPARKS 
OR 
FLAMES 
SPARK 
OR ,\I/, 
COULD  FLAME 
EXPLODE  BAllERY 
These  symbols 
are important 
for you and 
your passengers 
whenever 
your 
vehicle is 
driven: 
DOOR  LOCK 
UNLOCK 
FASTEN  SEAT 
BELTS 
These symbols 
have  to do  with 
your lamps: 
SIGNALS e 
TURN 
WARNING 
A 
HAZARD 
FLASHER 
FOG  LAMPS 
$0 
These symbols 
are on some of 
your controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
WINDSHIELD  DEFROSTER 
WINDOW 
DEFOGGER 
These symbols 
are used  on 
warning and  indicator lights: 
ENGINE E* 
COOLANT 
TEMP 
- 
CHARGING I-1 
BATTERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(a) 
COOLANT a 
ENGINE OIL e, 
PRESSURE 
ANTI-LOCK 
(@) 
BRAKES 
Here are some other symbols you  may  see: 
FUSE 
LIGHTER 
m 
HORN )cr 
SPEAKER 
b 
FUEL e3 
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If your vehicle ever gets  into  a  lot of water -- such as 
water up  to the carpeting  or higher 
-- or if water  enters 
your vehicle  and soaks  the  carpet,  the  air bag controller 
can  be soaked  and ruined. 
If this ever  happens, and then 
you  start  your vehicle, the damage could  make  the 
frontal  and side  impact air bags  inflate and safety belt 
pretensioners activate, even  if there’s  no crash.  You 
would  have to replace  the  air  bags,  all the sensors  and 
related  parts,  parts of the  safety belt system  and parts 
of 
the  driver  and right  front  passenger’s seatbacks.  If your 
vehicle is  ever in a 
flood, or if it’s  exposed  to water that 
soaks the  carpet,  you can avoid needless  repair  costs by 
turning  off the  vehicle immediately.  Don’t let anyone 
start  the  vehicle, even  to tow  it, unless  the battery cables 
are  first  disconnected. 
Servicing  Your Air Bag-Equipped  Vehicle 
Air bags  affect  how  your  vehicle should  be  serviced. 
There  are parts  of the air  bag systems  in  several  places 
around  your vehicle.  Your retailer  and the  Silhouette 
Service  Manual have information about servicing your 
vehicle and  the 
air bag systems. To purchase  a service 
manual, see “Service  and Owner Publications”  in 
the Index. 
For  up to 10 minutes  after  the  ignition key is 
, turned off and the battery is disconnected,  an air 
bag  can  still  inflate  during improper  service. You 
can be injured  if  you are close  to an air bag  when 
it inflates.  Avoid wires wrapped  with  yellow  tape 
or  yellow  connectors.  They  are probably  part of 
the  air bag  systems.  Be sure 
to follow  proper 
service  procedures,  and make  sure the person 
performing  work for you  is  qualified  to  do 
so. 
~~  ~~ 
The air bag  systems  do  not need regular maintenance. 
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Remote Lock Control  (Option) 
If your vehicle has this option,  you can lock and unlock 
your  doors  and the  liftgate from about 
3 feet (1 m)  up  to 
30 feet (9 m) away  using  the remote lock control 
transmitter supplied with your vehicle. 
Your  remote lock control system operates  on a radio 
frequency subject  to Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.  This 
device complies with Part 
15 of the FCC Rules. 
Operation  is subject to 
the following two conditions: 
(1) this  device  may not cause harmful interference, 
and 
(2) this  device  must accept  any interference 
received, including interference that  may cause 
undesired operation. 
This  device complies  with RSS-2 
10 of Industry Canada. 
Operation  is subject to the following two conditions: 
(1) this device  may not cause interference, and (2) this 
device must accept  any interference received, including 
interference that  may cause undesired operation 
of 
the device. 
Changes  or modifications to this system  by other than an 
authorized service facility could void authorization to  use  this equipment. 
This  system has  a range 
of about 3 feet (1 m)  up  to 
30 feet (9 m). At times  you  may  notice a decrease in 
range.  This  is normal for any remote keyless entry 
system.  If the transmitter does not work  or if  you  have 
to  stand closer to your vehicle  for the transmitter  to 
work,  try this: 
Check  to determine  if battery replacement or 
synchronization  is necessary.  See the instructions 
that follow. 
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Matching  Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle 
Each remote lock  control  transmitter  is coded to prevent 
another  transmitter  from  unlocking  your vehicle. 
If a 
transmitter  is  lost  or  stolen,  a  replacement  can be 
purchased  through your retailer. Remember to bring any 
remaining  transmitters with  you when  you go 
to your 
retailer. When the  retailer matches  the replacement 
transmitter  to  your vehicle, any remaining transmitters 
must  also be matched.  Once your retailer  has coded  the 
new transmitter,  the  lost  transmitter  will not unlock  your 
vehicle. Each  vehicle  can have only four transmitters 
matched  to  it. 
See  your retailer  to match transmitters 
to 
another  vehicle. 
Battery  Replacement 
Under normal use, the battery  in your remote lock 
control  transmitter  should last  about  two years. 
You  can tell  the battery  is weak  if the  transmitter  won’t 
work at the normal  range  in any location.  If 
you have to 
get  close  to  your vehicle  before  the  transmitter  works, 
it’s  probably  time  to change  the battery. 
I NOTICE: 
When  replacing  the  battery,  use  care  not  to  touch 
any 
of the  circuitry.  Static  from  your  body 
transferred  to  these  surfaces  may  damage  the  transmitter. 
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Replacing  the  Battery in the 
Remote  Transmitter 
1. Insert  a flat  object  like a dime  into the slot on 
the side  of the transmitter and twist  to  separate 
the halves. 
2. Gently pry the battery  out of the transmitter. Do not 
use  the metal flanges  to “pop  out” the battery. 
3. Replace the battery. 
4. Reassemble  the transmitter. Make  sure the halves are 
snapped together tightly 
so water will not  get in. 
5. Check the transmitter operation. If needed, 
follow  the instructions on resynchronizing your 
remote transmitter. 
Resynchronizing  Your  Remote  Transmitter 
Your  remote lock control system uses a continually 
changing code  for increased security. Normally, the 
receiver  in your vehicle will keep track  of this 
changing  code. 
Loss of synchronization will  occur if the transmitter 
is  activated more than 
256 times  while out of range 
of the vehicle. 
Loss of synchronization will occur after the battery 
replacement  if the transmitter  is immediately 
activated more than 
16 times  while out of range  of 
the vehicle. 
If  your  remote  lock  control  transmitter  has  stopped 
working,  you  may  need  to  resynchronize  the  transmitter 
to 
the  vehicle  receiver. To do this, press  the LOCK and 
UNLOCK  buttons  together  and  hold  for  at  least  seven  seconds 
or until  the horn sounds  if  equipped  with  Content 
Theft-Deterrent.  Check  the  transmitter  operation. 
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Resetting  the Power Sliding Door 
The power  sliding  door  may operate  incorrectly  or  not  at 
all because  of the  following  conditions: 
A low  voltage  or  dead battery, 
Disconnecting  the battery  or 
If the IGN 1, B/U LAMP,  RADIO  or  PWR 
SEATPSD  fuse  is removed  or blown. 
See  “Fuse Panel” in the Index  for more  information 
about  your fuse  panel. 
If  any  of these  conditions  occur, the power  sliding door 
will  need  to be  reset. 
To do  this,  follow  the directions 
listed  here.  It will  be  easier  if you read  through them 
once  before  beginning  this  procedure. 
1.  Check  to be  sure  the  power sliding  door  is  unlocked 
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. 
and securely  closed. 
3. Enable  the  power sliding  door  override  feature. 
4. Remove the RADIO fuse  from  the  underhood fuse 
and relay  center.  Leave  it  out  for 
30 seconds. 
5. Reinstall the  fuse and wait 10 seconds. 
6. Disable the power sliding door  override  feature. 
7. Push either  of the  power door buttons  to open the 
power  sliding door. 
8. Wait  five seconds  and close  the door  by pushing 
9. Wait  five  seconds  and repeat  Steps 7 and 8. 
either  power door button. 
If  the door does not rest  in the fully open position after 
repeating  Step 
7, repeat  Steps 7 and 8 again. If the 
door still does not  operate correctly,  see your retailer 
for  service. 
Sliding Door Security Lock 
Your  vehicle  is equipped with  a  sliding door security 
lock that  helps prevent young children  or  other 
passengers  from  opening the sliding door  by using the 
inside  door handle.  This  lock  is on both doors if your 
vehicle  has the dual  sliding  doors. 
If  you  have the  optional power  sliding door,  you can 
override  the security lock  by pressing  either power door 
switch  when the power sliding door  override  feature is 
disabled.  See  “Power Sliding Door” earlier  in 
the  section. 
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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. 
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  Oldsmobile 
is  moving. 
If you  do,  you  could  damage the 
transaxle. Shift to 
PARK  (P) only  when  your 
vehicle  is  stopped. 
1. Without pushing  the accelerator pedal, turn your 
ignition key  to START.  When the  engine starts, let 
go of the key.  The  idle  speed will go down as your 
engine  gets warm. 
I NOTICE: 
Holding  your key in START for longer  than 
15 seconds  at a time  will cause  your battery  to be 
drained  much  sooner.  And  the excessive  heat can 
damage your  starter motor. 
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Battery  Saver Power  Remote  Control  Mirrors 
Your 
vehicle has a  feature  to help prevent  you from 
draining  the battery, 
in case you accidentally  leave  the 
interior 
or underhood lamps  on. If  you  leave any of 
these lamps on while the ignition is in 
LOCK or OFF, 
they  will automatically turn  off after 10 minutes.  The 
lamps won’t come back on again until you: 
turn the ignition  to  RUN  or ACCESSORY, 
turn the interior lamps  dial  all the way  to the  right, 
open (or close and  reopen) a door that  is closed. 
then slightly back 
to  the left; or 
Note that  if your vehicle  has  less than 
15 miles (25 km) 
on the odometer,  the battery  saver will turn  off the lamps 
after  only  three minutes. 
Mirrors 
Inside Daymight  Rearview  Mirror 
To reduce  glare  from lights behind you, pull the lever 
toward  you (to the night  position). 
To return the mirror 
to the day position, push the  lever away from you.  The 
control  on the driver’s 
door  controls  both outside 
rearview mirrors. 
Turn  the control 
to the left to  select  the driver’s  side 
rearview mirror,  or to the  right to select the passenger’s 
side  rearview  mirror. Then use the control  to adjust each 
mirror so that  you can just  see  the side  of your vehicle 
when 
you are  sitting in a comfortable  driving  position. 
If  you  are not adjusting  either mirror,  leave the control 
in  the  center  off position.  This prevents moving the 
mirrors accidentally once  you have them adjusted. 
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Accessory  Power Outlet 
The  rear power outlet  is located in  the  rear compartment 
on  the  driver’s  side.  To remove the cover, pull the  tab on 
the  cover and pull  it 
off. 
The  front power outlet  is  located  next to the  ashtray  and 
lighter.  Pull the cover down  to  use  the power outlet.  The 
power outlets 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. 
When  not in use, always cover the  rear  outlet with the 
protective  cap. 
To  replace  the cover on  the rear  outlet,  line  up the tabs at 
the  back 
of the cover  and put the  cover in place. Push 
down the  tab  to  secure  the cover. 
NOTICE: 
When  using  the  accessory  power  outlet: 
Maximum  load of any  electrical  equipment 
should  not  exceed 
20 amps. 
Be  sure  to  turn off any  electrical  equipment 
when  not  in  use.  Leaving  electrical 
equipment  on  for  extended  periods  can 
I drain  your  battery. 
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Charging  System  Indicator  Light 
The charging system  light 
will  come  on when  you turn 
on  the  ignition  as a check to 
show you  it  is working.  It 
will remain on  as  long as 
the  engine  is not running. 
It  should  go out once  the  engine  is  running. 
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 problems with a  generator  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 
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. 
BRAKE 
United  States  Canadian 
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. 
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