service OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1996, Model line: AURORA, Model: OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1996Pages: 388, PDF Size: 20.24 MB
Page 3 of 388

Seats and Kestraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts prop\
erly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Oldsmobile.
’ This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Oldsmobile running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Oldsmobile for assistance and how to get s\
ervice and owner publications.
It
also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on pag\
e 8-7.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
Service and Appearance Care
............................................................ 6-1
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
i
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Page 4 of 388

mn- Oldsmobile pi
GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
OLDSMOBILE and the OLDSMOBILE Rocket
Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors
Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right
to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice.
For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Oldsmobile
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Oldsmobile,
so it will
be there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If
you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the
new owner can use it.
4
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fraqais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T 1C7
Litho
in U.S.A. ‘Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995
Part No. 22640081 A First Edition All Rights Reserved
ii
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Page 30 of 388

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute
the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But
air bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the
air bag.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than
a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate
to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components
of the air bag module in
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot
for a short time. The part of the bag that comes
into contact with you may be warm, but it will never be
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma
or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air
bag system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there
to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
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Page 31 of 388

0
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the sensors
are activated and driver’s safety belt usage at
deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system won’t work properly. See your retailer for Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Aurora
Air bags affect how your Aurora should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Aurora retailer and the Aurora Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
service.
NOTICE:
~
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, they may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers. For up to
10 minutes after the
ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service.
You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for
you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Page 64 of 388

Remote Lock Control
You can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your
trunk from up to
30 feet
(9 m) away using the key
chain transmitter supplied
with your vehicle.
Your Remote Lock Control operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Should interference to this system
occur, try this:
0 Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary.
See
the instructions on battery replacement.
0 Check the distance. You may be too far from your
0 Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
vehicle. This product has
a maximum range.
be blocking the signal.
See your Aurora retailer or a qualified technician
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
for
service.
2-8
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Page 71 of 388

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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Page 73 of 388

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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Page 74 of 388

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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Page 76 of 388

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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Page 120 of 388

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more infoimation on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes
on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Battery Warnlng Light
VOLTS
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to show
you it is working, then it
should
go out. If it stays on,
or comes on while
you are
driving, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system.
A warning chime and the message CHECK CHARGE
SYSTEM may also come on. 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 climate control.
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