warning OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2002 Owners Manual

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.
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2-1
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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-15 Trunk
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Universal Theft-Deterrent
2
-20 PASS-Key
III
2
-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-22 Ignition Positions
2
-24 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-26 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-29 Parking Brake
2
-30 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)2
-32 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-33 Engine Exhaust
2
-34 Tilt Wheel
2
-35 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-51 Mirrors
2
-55 Storage Compartments
2
-57 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-58 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-62 Sunroof (Option)
2
-63 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-66 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-70 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-83 Driver Information Center (DIC)
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ACC (Accessory): This position lets you use your
electrical accessories such as power windows, power
sunroof (option), radio and the windshield wipers.
ON: This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. This is the
position for normal driving. Even when the engine is not
running, you can use ON to operate your electrical
accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START: This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the OFF ignition position,
you will hear a warning chime when you open the
driver's door.
Always leave your key in OFF. If you leave it in any
other position, you will drain the battery power.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have power to accessories such as the power
windows, audio steering wheel controls, clock, sunroof
(option), accessory power outlet and the radio for up to
10 minutes. The instrument panel cluster lights will stay
on for a few seconds, then go out. Once you open a
door, the power will shut off.
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Parking Brake
Your vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake. To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your
right foot. Push down the
parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on while the parking brake is set and a single
chime will be heard.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will release the
parking brake pedal. When you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it to the release position.
If you try to drive approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) with
the parking brake on, the brake light stays on and a
chime sounds until you release the parking brake.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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Wiper-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low
-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds. To operate, the exterior
lamps control must be in AUTO and it must be dark
enough outside.
When the exterior lamps control is in OFF or the
parking lamp position and the windshield wiper control
is on (LO, HI or INT), the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will appear on the DIC.
When you turn the key to OFF, the wiper
-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. The
wiper
-activated headlamps will also turn off if
you turn the exterior lamps control to OFF or
turn off the windshield wipers.
Lamps on Reminder
If the exterior lamps control is left on, you'll hear a
warning chime when you turn the ignition off, remove
the key from the ignition and open the driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when the
following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is off, and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on.
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The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlet
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Steering Wheel Controls for Climate Control System
D. Steering Wheel Controls for Audio System
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
F. Driver Information Center (DIC)
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
H. Climate Control System
I. Instrument Panel Brightness KnobJ. Trip Odometer Buttons
K. Hood Release
L. Parking Brake
M. Cruise Control Lever
N. Ignition Switch
O. Audio System
P. Accessory Power Outlet
Q. Glove Box (Trunk Release Lockout Switch inside)
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your vehicle is equipped with this instrument panel cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are
explained on the following pages. The instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is
running. You'll know how fast you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive
safely and economically.
United States version shown, Canada similar
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2-70 Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
If your engine speed equals or exceeds the safe limit for
operation, the message HOT...REDUCE ENG RPM is
displayed on the DIC.
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in the shaded area, or when the message
HOT...REDUCE ENG RPM is displayed.
Engine damage may occur.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you
are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
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Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See ªDriver
Information Center (DIC)º in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
flash for about 55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, the chime will not
sound and the light will go off after five seconds.
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2-72 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
On the DIC an AIR BAG PROBLEM message will be
displayed when there is a problem with the air bag
system. See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index
for more information.
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