OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Manual PDF

Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove
box.
0 Move the trunk security override switch to OFF.
Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key and Remote Lock Control
keychain with
you.
Universal Theft-Deterrent
Your Aurora has this feature, it is a theft-deterrent alarm
system. With this system, the SECURITY light will
flash as you open the door (if your ignition is
off).
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
Remote Lock Control System. The SECURITY light
should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The security system is not
armed until the SECURITY light is off.
If the
SECURITY light stays on when the ignition
is
turned on, there is a problem with the system and the
vehicle should be serviced.
If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
Remote Lock Control System, the alarm will go off.
It will also go off if the trunk lock is damaged. Your
vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn will sound for
several minutes, then will go off to save battery power,
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Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t be activated
if you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
only activates if you use a power door lock switch or
Remote Lock Control System.
You should also
remember that you can start your vehicle with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has been set
off, but this
does not shut off the alarm.
Here’s how to avoid setting
off the alarm by accident:
If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked
after the doors
are closed.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the Remote
Lock Control System. Unlocking a door any other
way will set off
the alarm.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by first having the driver’s
window down. ’Activate the system by locking the doors
with the power door lock switch
or the Remote Lock
Control System. Get out
of the car and close the door and
wait for the SECURITY light to
go out. Then reach in
through the window, unlock the door with the manual door
lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown.
To replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with
your key.
You can also turn off the alarm by using the Remote
Lock Control System. The alarm won’t stop if you try
to
unlock a door any other way.
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PASS-hti
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
I1 is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
I1 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
II system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter an\
d
fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter won’t work and fuel won’t go to
the engine. If someone tries to
start your vehicle again or uses another key during this
time, the vehicle will not start.
This discourages someone
from randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets
in an attempt to make a match. The
ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If
the engine does not start and the SECURITY light is
on or
you get the CLEAN KEY...WAIT 3 MINUTES
message on the DIC, the key may be dirty or wet. Turn
the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses
(see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index). If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty.
See your Aurora retailer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
11.
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If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
SECUFUTY light will flash and the CLEAN KEY.. WAIT
3 MINUTES message will appear.
See your Aurora retailer
or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
11 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on or PASS-KEY SYSTEM FAULT appears, you will
be able to restart your engine
if you turn it off. Your
PASS-Key
I1 system, however, is not working properly
and must be serviced by your Aurora retailer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key
I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key I1 ignition key, see
your Aurora retailer or
a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Aurora doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
e Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
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Ignition Positions
A
C
I
E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch
to five positions:
ACC (A): In this position you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition switch
as you
turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature. \
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
LOCK and it doesn’t send any electrical
power to the accessories. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is not running.
RUN (D): This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. This
is the position for driving. 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.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine
starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to
RUN for normal driving.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is
all the way in, If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key
hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the ignition, in the OFF
position, you will hear a warning chime when you open
the driver’s door.
Retained Accessory Power I
After you turn your ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have electrical power to such accessories as the
radio, power windows, and sunroof
(if equipped) for up
to
10 minutes. But if you open a door, power is shut off.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) ,or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that% a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Aurora is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle:Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 4.0 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
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I NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your retailer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual
that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 “C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 IO-volt AC outlet.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungroundea outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Aurora retailer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The retailer can give
you the best advice
for that particular area.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when
you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily. It
is 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 have 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).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in the PARK (P)
range before starting the engine. Your Aurora has a
brake-transaxle shift interlock. You have to fully
apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you
cannot shift out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
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and also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button before moving the
shift lever on floor
shift console models.) See “Shifting Out
of PARK (P)”
in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back
up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index. NEUTRAL
(N): In this position, your
engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running
at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot
is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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