OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Workshop Manual

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
e Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
0 Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are. Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same
belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person at
a time.
@ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index.
If the child
is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close
to the child’s face or neck, you might
want
to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.
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Never do this.
Here
a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious
or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But
if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
retailer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle
that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it
is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect
you in a
crash. They can
rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
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Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts. If you
ever see a label on the driver’s or the right front
passenger’s safety belt that says to replace the belt, be
sure to do
so. Then the new belt will be there to help
protect you in a collision. You would see this label on
the belt near the latch plate.
If belts are cut
or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean
you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired
or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after
a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.
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NOTES
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NOTES
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@ Section 2 Features and Controls
m m
Here
you can learn about the many standard and optional
features
on your Aurora, and information on starting,
shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument
panel and the warning systems that tell you
if everyhng is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
I
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The ignition keys are for the
ignition only.
The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks. When
a new Aurora is delivered, the retailer removes
the plugs from the keys and gives them to the first
owner. However, the ignition key may not have a plug.
If the ignition key doesn’t have a plug, there will be a
bar-coded key tag instead.
Each plug or tag has a code on it that tells your retailer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep
the plugs or tags
in a safe place. If you lose your keys,
you’ll be able to have new ones made easily using these
plugs or tags. If your ignition keys don’t have plugs or
tags, go to your Aurora retailer for the correct key code
if you need
a new ignition key.
There are
15 alternative PASS-Key@II blanks, to help
discourage theft. Your retailer can he1 determine which
key code you need. (See “PASS-Key
8 11” in the Index.)
NOTICE:
Your Aurora has a number of features that can help
prevent theft. But you can have a lot of trouble
getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys
inside.
You may even have to damage your vehicle
to get in.
So be sure you have extra keys.
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Door Locks
1
Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and
fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down
or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be
far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key or Remote Lock
Control. From the inside, to lock the door, rotate
the locking
lever forward.
To unlock the door, rotate the locking lever rearward.
There is a red mark on the switch when the door is
unlocked.
Central Door Unlocking System
If the driver’s door key is held in the unlock position for
more than one second, all doors will electronically
unlock.
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Power Door Locks
With power door locks, you
can lock or unlock all doors
of your vehicle from the
driver or front passenger
door lock switch.
Door Aiar Reminder
If a door 1s not fully closed when the transaxle is
in gear, a chime will sound and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display one of these messages:
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Close your doors and turn on the ignition. Every time you
move your shift lever out of
PARK (P) all of the doors
will lock. And, every time you stop and move your shift
lever into
PARK (P), your doors will unlock. If someone
needs to get out while you’re not in PARK (P), have that
person use the manual or power lock. When the door is
closed again, it will not lock automatically. Just use the
manual or power lock to lock the door again. If you need
to lock your doors before shifting out
of PARK (P), use
the manual or power lock button to lock the doors.
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