engine OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 Owner's Guide

Using Your Radio Properly
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting
the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help
avoid hearing loss or damage:
1. Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
2. Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle-like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone
or two-way radio-be sure you can add
what you want.
If you can, it’s very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s
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I NOTICE: (Continued)
engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even
damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation
of sound equipment
that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your retailer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly is subject to
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes that are not properly stored
in their plastic cases away from contaminants, direct
sunlight, and extreme heat may not operate properly and
could cause premature failure of the tape player.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always verify that the cassette tape is
in
good condition before obtaining service on your tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned with every
50 hours of
use to provide optimum perfornxmce. Your radio may
display “Cln” to remind you that you have used your tape
player for
50 hours without re-setting the tape clean timer.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear
out much fdster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot
of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes.
If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up,
it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your Aurora has an advanced electronic braking system
that
will help prevent a braking skid.
ANT’- (I)
LOCK
This light on the
instrument panel
will
come on briefly when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away,
you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And
you may even notice that your brake pedal moves
a little
while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing
itself.
If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake
system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will
stay
on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light“ in the
Index.
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Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your
foot up to the brake pedal. 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 01-
stops. Always leave enough 1-0om up ahead to stop. even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
a motor or
clicking noise during a hard stop. but this is normal.
Traction Control System
Your vehicle has 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 (by shutting off
fuel injectors and managing engine spark) to
limit wheel
spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE light will come on when
your traction control system
is limiting wheel spin. See
"Traction Control System Active Light"
in the Index.
You may feel the system working, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
If yo~~r 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 re-engage the cruise control. (See
"Cruise Control"
in the Index.)
TRACTION
OFF
When the system is on, the TRACTION OFF warning
light
will come on to let you know if there's a problem
with your traction control system. See "Traction Control
System Warning Light"
in the Index. When this warning
light is on, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnasteer TM
Your vehicle is equipped with GM Magnasteer”, a
steering system that continuously adjusts
the effort you
feel when steering at all vehicle speeds.
It provides ease
when parking yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s
why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction
of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels.
If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going
in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried
to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this. The
traction
you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and yo~lr speed. While
you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor YOLI can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
--
steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where
the tires meet the road. Unless your traction control
system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can
demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
What should
Y~LI do if this ever happens‘? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed
limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions
YOLI’II want to go slower.
If YOLI need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do
it before YOLI enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust YOLI~ speed so you can “drive“ through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate
until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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If your traction control system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to
go. If yo11 start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to
slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions.
It is important to slow down on slippery
surfices because stopping distance
will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking (including engine braking by shifting
to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
--
such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to
make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember:
Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
m
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
--
by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Wi~~clsl~ield Wcuher F11,fid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blcrdes: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other. Fluicls: Have YOLI checked
all levels?
Lunlps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure'?
Weatl?er Forecnsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Mcrps: Do you have up-to-date maps'?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as "highway nypnosis"?
Or is
it just plain fdling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the
hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road
in less tlml u second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service,
or parking area and take
a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and
also the brakes, tire.s, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain
roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know
is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to
a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
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Winter Driving
0 Know how to go uphill. Shift down to THIRD (3).
This will help cool your engine and transaxle, and
you can climb the hill better.
POWER mode for better performance.
0 In hilly terrain, you may want to switch to the
@ Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your
own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
0 You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no-passing
zones, a falling rocks area. or
winding roads. Be alert to these- and take appropriate
action. Here
are some tips fix winter driving:
0 Have
your Aurora in good shape for winter. Be sure
your engine coolant mix is correct.
0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
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If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help
and
you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things
to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers
safe: Turn
on your hazard flashers. Tie a red
cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been
stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing or wrap a
blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap
bags, rags, floor mats
-- anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
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Run your engine only as long as YOLI must. This saves
fuel. When you
run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This
o
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery t
restart the vehicle. and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
--
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortabl e
from the cold.
But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm? you can get
out of the vehicle and
do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
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