steering Oldsmobile Silhouette 2002 s User Guide

2-57
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're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbols on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the wheel is located on
the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the wheel to a comfortable position and
release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-58
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane
-Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-to-Pass Feature

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.

2-65
Exterior Lamps
The control on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
(Off): Turning the control to this setting will activate
the automatic headlamp control when it is dark enough
outside and turn off all of the lamps and lights during
the day, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this
setting turns on the parking lamps together with the
following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this setting
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

2-88
Emergency Button: In an emergency situation,
press the emergency service button. Upon receiving the
call, an advisor at the center will locate your vehicle and
assess the situation. If necessary, the advisor will alert
the nearest emergency service provider.
Communication Button: Press this button
at the end of a call. Also press this button to answer
a call from the center, or cancel a call if one of the
other buttons is accidentally pressed. This button is
also used to access OnStar Personal Calling and Virtual
Advisor services. See the OnStar owner package for
more information.
Volume Control: You can control the volume of the
OnStar System using either the volume knob on the
radio or, if equipped, the steering wheel volume control.
Telltale Light: This light will indicate the status of
the system. A solid green light will come on when you
start the vehicle to let you know that the system is on
and is ready to make or receive calls.
If the light blinks green it means that an incoming or
outgoing call is in progress. Press the Communication
button if you notice the light blinking and you are not
on a call.The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system
malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar Services
button to attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection
is made, the advisor will assist you with steps to take to
make sure that the system is functioning properly. If you
cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your
dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Cellular Antenna: The cellular antenna on the outside
of your vehicle is critical to effective communications
using the OnStar system. Optimum cellular reception
can be obtained when the mast is straight up and down.
OnStar Services
The following services are available within OnStar
service plans. Your vehicle comes with a specific
one
-year service plan than allows use of some or
all of the following services.

Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment:
If an air bag deploys, a priority emergency signal is
automatically sent to the center. An advisor will
locate your vehicle's position, try to contact you
and assist you in the situation. If the center is
unable to contact you, an emergency service
provider will be contacted.

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The main components of the instrument panel are:
A. Side Vents
B. Front Vents
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
E. Instrument Panel Cluster
F. Center Vents
G. Audio System
H. Side Vents
I. Exterior Lamps Control
J. Hood Release
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
L. HornM. Ignition Switch
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
O. Climate Controls
P. Rear Fan Controls (Option)
Q. Cupholder Tray
R. Accessory Power Outlet
S. Storage Bin
T. Instrument Panel Switchbank
U. Glove Box
V. Front Vents
W. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Air Conditioning with Temperature Control
3
-3 Air Conditioning with Dual Temperature
Control (Option)
3
-5 Air Conditioning
3
-6 Heating
3
-6 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-7 Rear Window Defogger
3
-7 Rear Climate Control (Vehicles without the
Entertainment System) (Option)
3
-9 Rear Climate Control (Vehicles with the
Entertainment System) (Option)
3
-11 Ventilation System
3
-12 Audio Systems
3
-12 Setting the Clock
3
-13 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Radio Data Systems (RDS) and
Automatic Tone Control3
-21 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
Systems (RDS) and Automatic Tone Control
(If Equipped)
3
-32 AM-FM Stereo with Six-Disc Compact Disc
Player with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data Systems (RDS) (If Equipped)
3
-42 Entertainment System (Option)
3
-49 Rear Seat Audio (Vehicles without the
Entertainment System) (If Equipped)
3
-51 Rear Seat Audio (Vehicles with the
Entertainment System) (Option)
3
-53 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-54 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-54 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-55 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-56 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-57 Care of Your Compact Discs and DVDs
3
-57 Care of Your Compact Disc and DVD Player
3
-57 Fixed Mast Antenna

3-54 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to a higher radio
station and the down arrow to tune to a lower radio
station. The sound will mute while seeking. When
playing a cassette tape or compact disc, press SEEK
to hear the next selection.
PROG: Press this button to choose AM or FM.PRESET: Press this button to play a station you
have programmed on the radio preset buttons.
VOL: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a loaded cassette tape
or compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system.
Press it again to turn on the sound. This button may
be used when listening to the radio, a cassette tape or
a compact disc.
Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Control System (Option)
4
-11 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System (Option)
4
-11 Steering
4
-13 Off-Road Recovery
4
-14 Passing
4
-15 Loss of Control
4
-16 Driving at Night4
-18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-20 City Driving
4
-21 Freeway Driving
4
-22 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-23 Highway Hypnosis
4
-24 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-25 Winter Driving
4
-30 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-32 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-34 Towing a Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. Also see ªTraction Control Systemº in
the Index.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up
your foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
But that's only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on
when the traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
See ªTRACTION ACTIVE Messageº in the Index.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.