steering Oldsmobile Aurora 1997 Owner's Manuals
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1997, Model line: Aurora, Model: Oldsmobile Aurora 1997Pages: 404, PDF Size: 20.75 MB
Page 29 of 404
How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
I
The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
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If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag may not inflate properly or it might
force the object into that person. The path of an
inflating
air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put
anything between an occupant and an
air bag, and
don’t attach or put anything
on the steering wheel
hub
or on or near any other air bag covering. When
should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level
is
about 8 to 11 mph (13 to 18 kmh). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range.
If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts
or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation
is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
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What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
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. Air bags supplement 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
those
air bags. 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 an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, 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 parts of the bag that come
into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from
vents in the deflated
air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t
prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor does 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.
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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.
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.
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 service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag 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 coverings.
Page 71 of 404
Trunk Remote Trunk Release Lockout
Trunk Lock Release
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the door key
and turn it.
Remote Trunk Release
Press the TRUNK release
button located to the right of
the steering column to
release the trunk lid.
The
trunk release override
switch must be in the
on position.
The system also works with the Remote Lock Control.
The trunk will unlock when the opened trunk symbol is
pressed, but only when the ignition is
off. The trunk
symbol will
also work when the ignition is on, but only
while in PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). The
trunk release switch in
the glove
box allows you to
secure items in the trunk.
Move the trunk release switch to
OFF, lock the glove
box and take the key with you. Now the trunk release to
the right of the steering column will not open the trunk.
However, the Remote Lock Control Transmitter will still open the trunk.
Trunk Security Override
The Remote Lock Control transmitter will open the
trunk even
if the override switch is in the OFF position.
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It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can
come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on any airflow selection except RECIRC.
That will force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them
all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Aurora has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on
it can make it
impossible
to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
With the ignition
OFF and the driver’s door open, you’ll
hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transaxle. And remember
to lock the doors.
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.
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Ignition Positions
C
D
1 I
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
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.
ACCESSORY (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.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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, with the engine off,
you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver’s door.
Retained Accessory Power
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 tu PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
I 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 4.0L 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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Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s armrest control each of the
windows while the ignition is on or Retained Accessory
Power is active. In addition, each passenger’s door
armrest has
a switch for its own window.
Express-Down Window
The switch for the driver’s window has an express-down
feature. Pull the switch back
for more than a half
second, release it and the window will lower
automatically.
To partially open the window, pull the
switch back and quickly release it.
To stop the window
from lowering, pull the switch again, then release.
To raise the window, hold the switch forward.
Window Lock
Press the right side of the WINDOW LOCK switch on
the driver’s armrest to disable all passenger window
switches. The driver’s window controls will still be
operable. This is a useful feature when you have
children as passengers.
Press the left side of the WINDOW
LOCK switch to
allow passengers
to use their window switches again.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel
is an active horn switch. Press anywhere
on the pad to sound the horn.
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Tilt Wheel hrn Signal/Multifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel
to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place. The
lever on the left side
of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
Cruise Control
0 Headlamp Highbow Ream
Parking Lamps
Flash-To-Pass Feature