instrument panel Oldsmobile Aurora 1998 Owner's Manuals

or the instrument panel ... or the safety belts !
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.
1-11

- -
A CAU LON:.
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink
of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure
yon. This is true
even with reduced-force frontal air bags. Safety
belts help keep you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with
reduced-force air bags. The driver should sit as
far back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle.
A CAUTT3N:
I
Children who are up against, or very close to, an
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This
is true even though your vehicle
has reduced-force frontal air bags. Air bags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants.
CAUTION: (Continued) Neither the
vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air
bag system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that
a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle.
To read how,
see the part of this manual called “Children” and
see the caution labels on the sunvisors and the
right front passenger’s safety belt.
There
is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
AIR BAG shows AIR BAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
1-22

How the Air Bag System Works
I
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel. The right front
passenger’s air bag is
in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
1-23

If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might 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 km/h). 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.
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.
I
1-24

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
-- 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.
I
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.
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.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle 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 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.
I I I
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle,
the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace
the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts. If your vehicle
is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning
off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
the battery cables are first disconnected.
I
~ 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 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.
1-26

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting
and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-9
2- 14
2-15
2- 16
2-1s
2- 19
2-20
2-21
2-23
2-27
2-28
2-30
2-3
1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Lock Control TrUIlk
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent
PASS-Key(%
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn 2-3 1
2-3
3
2-34
2-34
2-42
2-45
2-48
2-52
2-55
2-55 2-55
2-56
2-60
2-64
2-75 Engine Exhaust
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Cellular Telephone (Option)
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof (Option)
Universal Transmitter
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Driver Information Center
2-1

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.
2-15

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.

Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
I 1 An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash.
Hold it there until you
complete your lane changp The lever will return
bv
itself when you release it. As
you signal
a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
don’t flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb
is burned out, replace it to help avoid
an accident.
If the arrows don’t
go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km),
a chime will sound and the DIC will display
the TURN SIGNAL ON? reminder message.
To turn
off the chime, move the turn signal lever to the
off
position. To turn off the DIC message, press any button
on the DIC.