warning light Oldsmobile Achieva 1997 Owner's Manuals

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
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
4
BELTS
n
POWER
WINDOW 'tl
These symbols have
to do wilh
your lamps:
SIGNALS e e
TURN
RUNNING
.'****o
DAYTIME LAMPS
'**
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator
lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BAlTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(@)
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some other symbols
you may see:
FUSE -%-
LIGHTER n
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL e3

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsmobile, and information on starting,
shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2 2-4
2-7
2-10
2-12 2-12
2-13 2-14
2-
16
2-19
2-2
1
2-25 2-28 2-29
2-3
1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)
Trunk
Theft Passlock
TM
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) Shifting Out
of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) 2-3
1
2-32
2-32
2-33
1 2-34
1, 2-35
2-35
2-43
2-46
2-49
2-50
2-54
2-55
2-56
2-60 Parking
Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

Ignition Positions
c
I
1
D
B
i
A i E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off.
To use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in
LOCK. It is also the only
position
in which you can remove the key. This locks
your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle (on
automatic transaxle models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try
to push-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door when
the ignition is off and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But 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.
2-14

Rotate the turn signal lever middle ring up two positions
to turn on:
Headlamps
Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch to
OFF to turn all of the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps
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.
The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
The engine is running,
The headlamp switch is in the OFF position,
0 The light sensor detects daytime light,
0 The parking brake is released and
0 The shift lever is not in PARK (P) on an
automatic transaxle.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker,
park lamps and instrument panel lights will not be
illuminated.
The DRL and the ALC systems will remain off any time
your automatic transaxle vehicle is
in PARK (P) and the
parking brake
is engaged.
The DRL and the ALC systems will remain off any time
your manual transaxle vehicle is in NEUTRAL
(N) and
the parking brake is engaged.
2-44

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your Oldsmobile is equipped with this cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read them.
2-58

Tachometer
The tachometer shows your
Q‘ 000
d 8
engine speed in revolutions
o 5 6 7% per minute (rpm).
\3
NOTICE:
Do not run your engine at speeds in the red area,
or engine damage may occur.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is
wrong before
it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one
of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see
in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one
of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s
a problem with your vehicle.
When one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be
a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting
to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re
a big help.
2-60

Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system indicator light will come on
when you start the engine,
then it should go out.
+I
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 loose 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
Your Oldsmobile’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 or the brake fluid level could be low. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
I II
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.
2-62

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 “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
-: 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
it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
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 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 Oldsmobile
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 “Brake
System Warning Light” 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.
2-63

Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
ETS
OFF
With the Enhanced Traction System
(ETS), this warning
light should come on briefly
as you start the engine. If
the warning light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem.
If
it 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. When this warning
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly. The Enhanced Traction System warning light
may come
on for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the button on
the instrument panel, 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.)
0 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 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.
2-64

Low Coolant Warning Light
--I If this light comes on and
LOW
COOLANT
stays on, the vehicle should
promptly be pulled off
the road and the coolant
level checked.
See “Engine Coolant’’ in the Index. If there are visible
signs
of steam, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine
Light)
CHECK
ENGINE
Your Oldsmobile is
equipped with a computer
which monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition and
emission control systems.
This system
is called OBD I1 (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.
(In Canada, OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) 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.
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