mirror OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1999 User Guide

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2-53
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Push and release the cover to reveal the front ashtray,
lighter and accessory power outlet.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
To open either rear ashtray, you may press and release
the cover.
To clean an ashtray, make sure the cover is open fully,
then lift out the ashtray by pulling on the snuffer.
To use a lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it's ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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.
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2-61
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Power Mirrors Control Switch
B. Fog Lamp Switch
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Cluster/Gages
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
F. Horn
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
H. Driver Information Center
I. Climate Controls
J. Audio System
K. Glove Box (Remote Trunk Release Lockout
Switch inside)
L. Instrument Panel Intensity Control/Interior
Lamp ControlM. Twilight Sentinel
Control
N. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Climate
Control System
O. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
P. Ignition Switch
Q. Steering Wheel Touch Controls for Audio System
R. Trunk Release Switch
S. Fuel Door Release Switch
T. Ashtray and Lighter
U. Traction Control Button
V. Selectable Shift
W. Gearshift Lever
X. Accessory Power Outlet
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3-7 Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use the defog setting to keep the
windows clear while also providing heat through the
lower outlets. Turn the AUTO
-PUSH knob clockwise to
DEF to quickly remove fog or ice from the windshield.
Rear Window Defogger
R. DEFOG: Press this
button to warm the defogger
grid on the rear window. An
indicator light below 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.
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4-14

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
ªrunning startº 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.

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 yourinside 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.)

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.

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.

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.
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.
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4-15 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 ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle'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 ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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4-21
Freeway Driving
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.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.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in your
ªblindº spot.
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4-23
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
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.

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.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
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4-36
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.
Passing
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 steering 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.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal
well in advance.
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6-68
Fuse Usage
21 Rear Defogger
22 Trunk Pull Down
23 Electronic Level Control
24 Instrument Panel
25 Exterior Lamps
26
Bose

Stereo (Option)
27 Power Door Locks
28 Interior Lamps
29 Hazard Lamps, Stoplamps
30 Parking Lamps
31 Heated Outside Mirror
32 OpenFuse Usage
33 Fuel Door Release
34 Cooling Fan Relay
35 Battery Thermistor
36
Instrument Panel
-- Power Antenna,
Remote CD Changer, Radio Chassis
37
Instrument Panel
-- Remote Accessory
Power Module, Oil Level Indicator, ALDL
38 Heated Seats
39 Fuel Pump
40 Open
41 Rear Defog 2
42 Rear Defog 1
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9-3
Climate Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Electronic 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Right Front Passenger 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Wheel 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Changer, Trunk-Mounted 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Errors, Changer 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading the Magazine 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Playing a Compact Disc 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player 3-10, 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenience Net 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank 5-12, 5-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance
For Text Telephone Users 8
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information 8-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offices 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Finish 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Sheet Metal 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date Display 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dead Battery 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive Driving 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger, Rear Window 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogging 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defrosting 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed Illumination 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed Locking 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIC 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, Vehicle 6-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disabilities, GM Program for Persons With 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . .
Distance to Destination 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Noise Reduction 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door
Ajar Reminder 2
-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Central Unlocking System 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Memory Locks 2-5, 2-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive Position, Automatic Transaxle 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Information Center (DIC) 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In a Blizzard 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the Rain 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night 4-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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