Oldsmobile Aurora 1998 s Manual Online

A CAUTION:
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:
0 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.
instrument panel, open them all the
way.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle 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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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?
If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove
box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Move the trunk security override switch to
OFF.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote lock control
transmitter with you.
Universal Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle has a theft-deterrent alarm system. With
this system,
if your ignition is off, the SECURITY light
will flash as you open the door. This
light reminds you
to
activate the theft-deterrent
SECURITY
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 or flashes when the
ignition is turned on, there
is a problem with the
system and
the vehicle should be serviced.
If the SECURITY light comes
on for one minute and
then shuts off while the ignition is on, the security
system has detected a problem with itself. See your
retailer for service.
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If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or
remote lock control transmitter, the alarm will go
off.
It will also go off if the trunk lock or door locks are
damaged. Your vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn
will sound for several minutes, then will go off to save
battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
only activates if you use the power door lock switch or
remote lock control transmitter. 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, lock the door either using a key, or the
manual door lock switch.
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.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with
your key.
You can also turn off the alarm by pressing UNLOCK
on the remote lock control transmitter. The alarm won’t
stop if you
try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the driver’s
window and open the driver’s door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote lock control transmitter.
3. Get out of the car, close the door and wait for the
SE.CURITY light to go out.
4. 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, but the
vehicle’s lamps flash, 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.
If the alarm does not sound, or the vehicle’s lamps
do not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by an
authorized service center.
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PASS-Key@ I1
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
I1 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t go to the e,ngine. 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 retailer
or a
locksmith who can service the PASS-Key
11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged
or missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work.
The SECURITY light will flash and the CLEAN
KEY... WAIT 3 MINUTES message will appear. But
you don’t have
to wait three minutes before trying
another ignition key.
2-18

See your retailer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key I1 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 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 retailer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
I1 to have a new key made. In an
emergency, call the Aurora Roadside Assistance
Center at
1-800-442-OLDS (6537). In Canada,
call
1-800-268-6800.
New Vehicle 44Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 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.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
2-19

Ignition Positions
C
I
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions:
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.
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.
FNOTICE:
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 the 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.
Always leave your key in
LOCK. If you leave your key
in any other position than
LOCK, you battery will
discharge prematurely.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to 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.
NOTICE:
~ ~ ~~
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Aurora is I
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.
I 1
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. I
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 or damaging
your starter.
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.
2-22

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded 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.
In very cold weather,
0 OF (- 18 O 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 Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and 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 retailer
in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle.
The retailer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
2-23

Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position 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 vehicle has a
brake-transaxle shift interlock. You have to fully
apply
your regular brakes bcfore you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN.
2-24