stop start Oldsmobile Aurora 1997 s User Guide

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
LOCK
ANT‘- (e)
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal.
Traction Control System Warning Light
TRACTION
OFF
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there’s
a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as
possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving, your Aurora needs
service.
If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System
Warning Light” earlier
in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
COITIC?
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system
and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
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If the Light Is Flashing If the Light Is On Steady
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
0 Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key
off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
retailer or qualified service center for service.
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did
you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the
fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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The oil light could also come on in three other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will
come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to
START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition
on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
0 Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
light may blink on and off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
d!!, CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You
or others could be burned.
Check your oil
as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
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while scanning, SCAN will appear on the display and
the tape direction arrow will blink while scanning.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a tape
is
in the player. The tape will stop but remain in the player.
TAPE-CD: Press this button if you have a disc loaded
in the CD player and the radio is playing, to play a
compact disc. Press AM-FM to return
to the radio when
a compact disc is playing. Press TAPE-CD
to switch
between the tape and compact disc
if both are loaded.
The inactive tape or CD will remain safely inside the
radio for future listening.
EJECT: Press this button to remove the tape. The radio
will play. EJECT may be activated with either the
ignition or radio off. Cassettes may be loaded with the
radio and ignition off if this button is pressed first. If
you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to
the radio, it may become warm.
CLN: If this message appears on the display, the
cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play
tapes, but you should clean
it as soon as possible to
prevent damage to the tapes and player. See “Care of
Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean
the player, press and hold
EJECT for five seconds to
reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display
--- to
show the indicator was reset.
Playing a Compact Disc
The CD player will play either normal-size discs or the
smaller
8 cm discs with an adapter.
With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,
label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing.
Note that when the disc is inserted, CD will be
displayed. When the disc
is playing, a box will appear
around CD on the display.
If you select a tone setting for
your CD, it will be activated each time you play
a CD.
As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear in the display.
If E (error) and a number appear on
the radio display
and the disc comes out, it could be that:
The road is too rough. The disc should play when the
road is smoother.
The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, please contact your retailer.
If your radio
displays an error number, write it down and provide
it to
your retailer when reporting the problem.

REV (1): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
FWD (2): Press and hold this button to quickly advance
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
RDM (5): Press this button to hear the tracks in random,
rather than sequential, order. RDM will appear on the
display when you press this button.
TONE: Press this button to select a tone while playing a
compact disc. The tone will be automatically set
whenever you play a compact disc.
SEEK: Press the down arrow to go to the start of the
current track if more than eight seconds have played.
Press the up arrow to
go to the next track. If you hold
the button or press
it more than once, the player will
continue moving rearward or forward through
the disc.
SCAN: Press this button to listen to each selection for a
few seconds. The disc will go to the next selection, stop
for a few seconds, then go on
to the next selection. Press
this button again to stop scanning. The sound will mute
while scanning, SCAN will appear
on the display and
the disc direction arrow will blink while scanning.
RCL: Press this button to see which track is playing.
Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has
been playing, To change what is normally shown on the
display (track
or elapsed time), press the button until
you see the display you want,
then hold the button until
the display flashes. While elapsed time is showing, EL
TM will appear on the display.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc
is in the player.
TAPE-CD: Press this button to change to the tape or
disc function when the radio is on and either a tape or
CD is inserted. Press AM-FM to return to the radio
while
a CD or tape is playing. The inactive tape or CD
will remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
If
you have the optional CD changer and the CD changer
is loaded, the TAPE-CD button will activate the changer
and a box will be lighted around CDC
in the display.
EJECT Press this button to remove the compact disc or
cassette tape. The item with the box around it on the
display will eject and the radio will play. EJECT may be
activated with either the ignition or radio off. Cassettes
and compact discs may be loaded with the radio and
ignition off if this button is pressed first.
If you leave a
compact disc in the player while listening to the radio, it
may become warm.
3-16

Playing a Compact Disc
The CD player will play either normal-size discs or the
smaller
8 cm discs with an adapter.
With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,
label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing.
Note that when the disc is inserted, CD will be
displayed. When the disc is playing, a box will appear
around CD on the display. If you select a tone setting for
your CD,
it will be activated each time you play a CD.
As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear in the display.
If you’re driving on a very rough road or if it’s very hot,
the disc may not play and
E (error) and a number may
appear on the radio display. If the disc comes out, it
could be that:
The disc is upside down.
It is dirty, scratched or wet.
The air is very humid. (If so, wait about an hour and
try again.)
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, please contact your retailer. If your radio displays
an error number, write it down and provide it to
your retailer when reporting the problem.
REV (1): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
FWD (2): Press and hold this button to quickly advance
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
RDM (5): Press this button to hear the tracks in random,
rather than sequential, order. RDM will appear on the
display when
you press this button. Press RDM again to
turn
off random play.
SEEK: Press the down arrow to go to the start of the
current track
if more than eight seconds have played.
Press
the up arrow to go to the next track. If you hold
the button or press it more than once, the player will
continue moving rearward or forward through the disc.
SCAN: Press this button to listen to each selection for a
few seconds. The disc will go to the next selection, stop
for
a few seconds, then go on to the next selection. Press
this button again to stop scanning. The sound will mute
while scanning,
SCAN will appear on the display and
the disc direction arrow will blink while scanning.
3-21

RANDOM (5): Press this button to enter the random
play mode. RDM will appear on the display. While
in
this mode, the tracks on the discs will be played in
random order. If you press PROG or
SEEK while in the
random mode, discs and tracks will be scanned
randomly. Press this button again
to turn off the random
feature and return to normal operation.
RCL: Press this button to see what track is currently
playing. Press RCL again within five seconds to see how
long the track has been playing. EL TM will appear on the
display when in elapsed time mode. When a new track
starts to play, the track number will also appear. Press RCL
a third time and the time of day will be displayed.
SEEK: Press the SEEK down arrow while playing a CD
to go back to the start of the current track if more than
eight seconds have played. If you press it again, the
changer will go to previous tracks. Press the SEEK up
arrow and it will
go to the next higher track on the disc.
SCAN: Press this button and release to listen to each
selection for a few seconds. The first few seconds
of
each selection on the current disc will be played. The
sound will mute while scanning and SCAN will appear
on
the display. Press this button again to stop scanning.
P SCAN: Press and hold the SCAN button for two
seconds to hear the first selection of each loaded disc for
a few seconds. The sound will mute while scanning and
P SCAN will appear on the display. Press SCAN again
to stop scanning.
TAPE/CD: Press this button to play a CD if you have a
magazine loaded in the changer and
the radio is playing.
To return to the radio while a CD is playing, press
AM-FM. You can also press this button to switch
between a cassette tape, CD or the CD changer if all
three are loaded.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK TM is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used
or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before
it will operate.

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‘- (@)
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.
4-7

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