mirror Oldsmobile Aurora 1997 s User Guide

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also remove them from the center mount and swing
them to the side, while the auxiliary visor remains to
block glare from the front.
To extend the visor at the sides, pull out the extension.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
When you open the cover to the driver or passenger side
visor vanity mirror, the lamps will come
on. You can
adjust the brightness of the lamps with the switch by
sliding the lever up or down.
2-58

The Aurora instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
The main components
of your instrument panel are:
1. Power Mirrors Control Switch
2.
Fog Lamp Switch
3. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
4. Instrument Cluster/Gages
5. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
6.
Horn
7. Windshield Wipermasher Control
8. Driver Information Center
9. Climate Controls
10. Audio System
11. Glove Box (Trunk Security Override Switch inside)
12. Passenger Side Air Bag
13. Accessory Power Outlet
14. Gearshift Lever
15. Selectable Shift
16. Traction Control Button
17. Ashtray and Lighter
18. Fuel Door Release Switch
19. Trunk Release Switch
20. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Audio System
21. Ignition Switch
22. Driver Side Air Bag
23. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
24. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Climate
Control System
25. Twilight Sentinel Control
26. Instrument Panel Intensity Control/Interior
Lamp Control

Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days use the defog setting to keep the
windows clear while also providing heat through the
lower outlets. Press
DEF to quickly remove fog or ice
from the windshield.
Rear Window Defogger
//I R. DEFOG: Press
this button
to warm the
defogger grid on
the rear
window. An indicator light
in the button will glow
while the rear window
defogger is operating.
At speeds above
30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger
will stay
on until you press the R. DEFOG button
again. At speeds below
30 mph (48 km/h), the rear
window defogger will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you press it again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes only. You can also
turn the defogger off by turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid
on the rear window.
When you operate the rear window defogger, the
outside rearview mirrors are also heated
to help remove
ice and fog.
3-9

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get
too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed
as the time comes to move into the
other lane.
If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
0 If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
0 Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
0 Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
0 If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
4-14

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.
4-15

Freeway Driving The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your
turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Mile
for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways)
are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
4-22

Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling 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 than a 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:
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. Driving
on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
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.
4-24

Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try
to tap into
your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your
electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steenng wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
4-36

Fuse
22
23
24
25
26
27 28
29 30
31
32
Usage
Trunk and Fuel Door Releases and
Trunk Pull Down
Electronic Level Control
Heated Seat, Instrument Panel
Exterior Lamps
Base@ Stereo (If so equipped)
Power Door Locks
Interior Lamps
Hazard Lamps, Stoplamps
Parking Lamps
Heated Outside Mirror
Open
Fuse
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41 42
Usage
Fuel Door Release
Cooling Fan Relay
Battery Thermistor
Instrument Panel
-- Power Antenna,
Remote CD Changer, Radio Chassis
Instrument Panel
-- Remote
Accessory Power Module, Oil Level
Indicator, ALDL
Heated Seats
Fuel
Pump
Open
Rear Defog
2
Rear Defog 1
6-70

Right Front Passenger ......................... 3-10
Steering Wheel
............................... 3- 10
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3- 11
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-30
Compact Disc Changer. Trunk Mounted
............. 3-22
Compact Disc Errors
.......................... 3-24
Loading the Magazine
......................... 3-22
Playing a Compact Disc
........................ 3-24
Compact.Disc Player
....................... 3-15. 3-21
Errors
................................. 3.15. 3.21
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-34
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-56
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-54
Coolant
....................................... 6-21
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-24
SurgeTank
.................................. 5-19
TemperatureGage
............................ 2-74
Cooling System
................................ 5-17
Cornering Lamps
............................... 2-45
CourtesyLamps
................................ 2-47
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control ................................. 2-40
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-59
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-58
Date Display
................................... 2-85
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-44
Customer Assistance
for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
DeadBattery
................................... 5-3 Defects. Reporting Safety
......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-9
Defogging
..................................... 3-9
Defrosting
..................................... 3-9
Delayed Illumination
............................ 2-47
Delayed Locking
............................... 2-12
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-74
Distan e to Destination
.......................... 2-84
Dolby
& B Noise Reduction .................. 3.14. 3.20
Door AjarReminder
................................ 2-5
Central Unlocking System
....................... 2-4
Drive Position. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-27
Driver Information Center
........................ 2-80
Driver Position
................................. 1 . 11
Driving
City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
Night
...................................... 4-16
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
on Snow or Ice
............................... 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
DIC
.......................................... 2-80
Locks
....................................... 2-4
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-37
9-3