engine OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Owner's Guide

When the remaining oil life or transaxle fluid life is low,
the system will alert you with a message:
CHANGE OIL SOON or
CHANGE TRNS
FLUID SOON
When the oil or transaxle fluid life is down to zero, you
will receive the message:
CHANGE
OIL NOW or
CHANGE TRNS FLUID NOW
To reset the
OIL LIFE reminder after an oil change
or the
TRNS FLUID LIFE reminder after a transaxle
fluid change:
With the ignition on, press the ENG button
so the OIL
LIFE percentage or the TRNS LIFE percentage is
displayed.
Press RESET and hold for five seconds. The word
RESET will appear, then OIL LIFE 100% or TRNS
FLUID 100%.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE or TRNS
FLUID yourself after each oil or transaxle fluid change.
It will not reset itself. Also, be careful not to reset the
OIL LIFE or TRNS FLUID accidentally at any time
other than when the oil or transaxle fluid
has just been changed.
It can’t be reset accurately until the next oil or
transaxle fluid change.
The Driver Information Center does not replace the need
to maintain your vehicle as recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. Also, the oil
change reminder will not detect dusty conditions or
engine malfunctions that may affect the oil.
If you drive
in dusty areas, change your oil after every
3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or three months, whichever occurs first,
unless the DIC instructs you to do
so sooner. Also, the
oil change reminder does not measure how much oil you
have in your engine.
So, be sure to check your oil level
often. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Check Oil Level Warning
When CHECK OIL LEVEL appears, it indicates that the
engine oil level is
1 to 1 1/2 quarts (0.9 L to 1.4 L) low.
The message will appear only if the engine is running
and it’s been at least eight minutes since the engine was
last running. If the message appears, check the oil
dipstick level. If
it reads low, your oil level should be
brought up to the proper level (see “Engine Oil” in the
Index). After bringing the oil to the proper level, the
ignition must be off for eight minutes to allow the
majority of oil to drain into the oil pan.
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Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO-PUSH knob when you want the system
to automatically adjust to changes in the temperature
inside the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun
load on the vehicle. When the system
is set for 4%
automatic operation, air will come from the floor, upper
or the windshield outlets depending on the temperature
inside the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun
load. Fan speed will vary as the system reaches and
.................
maintains the comfort setting you have selected.
. 7* -
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To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
automatic mode by depressing the AUTO-PUSH knob.
Adjust
the comfort setting by using the red and blue
buttons located below the digital display until you reach a
value of
75 OF (24"C), on the display. Give the vehicle
about
20 minutes to stabilize and then adjust the comfort
setting
if necessary, through the use of the red and blue
buttons. The display will show
the comfort setting for five
seconds and then it will show the outside temperature.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the fan
to avoid blowing cold air. The length
of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Rotating the AUTO FAN knob will
override this delay by turning off the automatic fan
mode and changing the fan speed. Your
automatic electronic climate control system has
two sun sensors located on the top of the instrument
panel that detect direct sunlight. To keep you and your
passengers comfortable, the system may supply cooler
air to the
side towards the sun. Be careful not to put
anything over these sun sensors. The automatic
electronic climate control system may not operate
correctly if these sensors are covered.
To change the automatic electronic climate control
display from an English display to a Metric display, hold
down the OFF button located in the Driver Information
Center for five seconds. The display in the Driver
Information Center will also change from an English to
a Metric display.
To return to an English display, repeat
the above procedure.
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Operating the RECIRC mode in cold temperatures or
under high humidity conditions may cause moisture to
form on the inside of the windshield. If this condition
occurs, deselect the RECIRC button.
A/C ON: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. If the system is operating in the automatic
mode, the A/C
ON indicator light will automatically
illuminate.
In the auto mode, the A/C compressor will
only operate when the system determines it is needed.
OFF: Rotate the AUTO-PUSH knob to the OFF
position. Turning the system off will cause the fan to
turn off and the airflow to be directed out the lower floor
outlets. The system will still try to keep the interior of
the vehicle at the previously chosen comfort setting. The
outside temperature will show in the display when the
system is
OFF.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner cools, dehumidifies and filters the
air for the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor is enabled in all
modes unless the A/C
ON button is in the off position
(indicator light will not be illuminated). However, the
air conditioning compressor will not operate when the
outside temperature is below 44°F
(7 "C). When the
air conditioner is on, you may sometimes notice slight
changes in your vehicle's engine speed and power. This
is normal, because the system is designed to cycle the
compressor on and off
to keep the desired cooling and
help fuel economy.
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
the hot
air out. This reduces the time required to cool the
interior of the vehicle to a comfortable level.
If the
system is in the automatic mode (AUTO-PUSH knob
indicator light
is on), during very hot days the system
will automatically
go to the RECIRC mode and the
temperature door will
be positioned at the full cold position
for maximum cooling. You can choose the extreme comfort setting of
60°F ( 16 " C), but the system will not cool any
faster by choosing the extreme comfort setting.
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Heating
In cold weather, if the automatic mode is selected
(AUTO-PUSH knob indicator light is on), the system
will automatically direct the airflow out
of the lower
floor outlets and the temperature door will be positioned
at the full hot position. You can choose the extreme
comfort setting of
90°F (32°C) but the system will
not warm up
any faster by selecting the extreme
comfort setting.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the
fan to avoid blowing cold air. The length
of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. The fan speed will increase as the
temperature
of the engine coolant increases. Rotating the
AUTO
FAN knob will override this delay by turning
off the automatic
fan control mode and changing the
fan speed.
t
Ventilation System
Your Aurora’s flow-through ventilation system always
allows outside air to flow through your vehicle when
it
is moving, even when the system is in the OFF position. The
direction
of the air can be controlled by adjusting or
closing the outlets in the instrument panel. Rotate the
control between the front outlets upward to open the
outlets and downward to close the outlets. Adjust the
direction
of airflow from side to side with the controls in
each outlet.
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Steering Wheel Controls for Climate
Control
Some heating and cooling
controls can be adjusted at
the steering wheel. Other
touch controls also operate some audio controls. See
“Steering Wheel Controls
for Audio System” later in
this section.
Press the upper part of the fan symbol button
to override
the automatic fan control and increase the fan speed.
Press the lower part
of the fan symbol button to override
the automatic fan control and reduce the fan speed. Press
either arrow on the TEMP button once to display
your current comfort setting in the digital display. Press
the upper part
of the TEMP button again to provide a
warmer comfort setting or press the lower part of the
TEMP button again to provide
a cooler comfort setting.
Audio Systems
Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate
easily and give years
of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself
with it first. Find out what your Delco system can do
and
how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re
getting the most out of the advanced engineering that
went into it.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. The
letter
A or P may appear on the display for AM or PM.
Then, press and hold
MN until the correct minute appears.
The clock may be set with the ignition on or
OFF.
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Understanding Radio Reception
FM Stereo
F'M 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.
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.
Tips About Your Audio System
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:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
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 engine, Delco radio or other
systems, and even damage them. 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 can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
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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 faster 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
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent
a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
LOCK
ANT‘- (e)
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this 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 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
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 to limit wheel spin.
TRACTION
ACTIVE
This 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 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
re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in
the Index.)
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Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to.
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering cm help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steerin
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.
:agnasteer
Your vehicle is equipped with GM Magnasteer TM , 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 Tars
Dr ng on Curl
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:
A
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 your speed. While
you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you 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 you 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 you’ll want to go slower.
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Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area
of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types
of skids correspond to your Aurora’s
three control systems.
In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid.
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 you 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
surfaces 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.
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