low beam OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2003 Owners Manual

Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
I
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-To-Pass
For information on exterior lamps, see “Exterior Lamps”
later in this section.
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 either 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.
An arrow on the instrument panel cluster 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 change. The lever will return
by itself
when you release it.
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As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash very fast, a 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 on
page
5-92 ) and check for burned-out bulbs.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 0.8 miles
(1.3 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal and the DIC will display the TURN SIGNAL
ON?
reminder message. To turn off the chime and
message, move the turn signal lever to the
off position.
To turn off the DIC message while the turn signal is
still active, press any button on the DIC. See
Driver
information Center (DE) on page 3-45 for more
information.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high, push
the lever away from you until you hear a click. Then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
If the fog lamps are on when you turn on the high-beam
headlamps, the fog lamps will turn
off. The fog lamps
will turn back on when you turn
off the high-beam
headlamps.
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Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front
of you that you want to pass.
It works even
if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Your high-beam headlamps will turn on. They’ll stay on
as long as you hold the lever there. Release the
lever
to turn them off.
If your headlamps are on, and on high beam, your
headlamps will switch to low beam when the lever is
released.
To get back to high beam, push the lever away
from you.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of your steering column
operates your windshield wipers.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than
six
seconds while you are driving, the low-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and the taillamps
will turn on. For more information see “Wiper-Activated
Headlamps” under
Exterior Lamps on page 3-14.
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Wiper-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low-beam headl,amps,
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.
Headlamps 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.
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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
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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
e 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.
With your headlamp control in AUTO when it is dark
enough outside, your low-beam headlamps will
automatically come on. The other lamps that turn on
with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go
off, and
your high-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn the exterior lamps control all the way toward
OFF. The DRL will turn on automatically and the
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will be displayed
on the DIC when you move the transaxle out of
PARK (P).
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If the exterior lamps control is in the parking lamps
position at night, only the parking lamps will be on.
If the
transaxle is out of PARK
(P), only the parking lamps
will be active and the HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
message will be displayed on the DIC.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
The automatic headlamp system will keep your
headlamps on when it is dark outside and the ignition
is
in ON.
It’s possible that your headlamps may go out if you
drive from a dark area into a bright area like a lighted
parking lot.
If this happens, turn on your headlamps with
the exterior lamps control.
Light Sensor
Your automatic headlamps and DRL work with the light
sensor on top of the instrument panel. Don’t cover it
up.
If you do it will read “dark” and the automatic
headlamp lighting will turn on.
Fog Lamps
To turn on only the front
fog lamps, turn the fog
lamp band to the single fog
lamp symbol. To turn on both the front and rear fog
lamps, turn the fog
lamp band to the double
fog lamp symbol.
Turning on the front fog lamps only will automatically
activate the parking lamps. Turning on the front and rear
fog lamps will automatically activate the parking lamps
and headlamps.
To turn
off the fog lamps, turn the band to OFF. The
front fog lamps will also turn
off when you turn on your
high-beam headlamps, but
will turn on again when
you switch to low beams.
Continuous use of the fog lamps will shorten bulb life
Limit use as necessary.
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Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a
higher rpm setting than normal to make sure the
battery charges. High electrical loads may occur when
several of the following are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, blower fan, heated
seats and engine cooling fans.
If your vehicle’s battery remains in a heavy discharge
condition for a long period of time, the fan, rear
defogger, heated seats and heated mirrors will be
disabled and the DIC will display BATTERY SAVER
ACTIVE. This can happen either under long periods of
idling or low speed driving with high electrical loading,
or in the event of a charging system fault.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
The accessory power outlet
(1 2-volt) is located on the
front passenger’s side of the vehicle, near the floor
on the console.
Your vehicle may have a small cap that must be pulled
down to access the accessory power outlet.
If it
does, when not using the outlet be sure to cover it with
the protective cap.
The accessory power outlet will only operate when the
ignition is in
ON and for 10 minutes after turning the
ignition
off. If you would like the accessory power outlet
to operate regardless of ignition position, and for
extended periods of time, see “Engine Compartment
Fuse Block under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-92 or contact your dealer.
Noficer When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum eieciricai ioaa rnusi noi exceeci i5 amps.
Always turn off any electrical equipment when
not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your battery.
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Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially
on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase.
A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example,
if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But
if
you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may
make a lot of things invisible.
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You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness
- the inability to see in dim light - and
aren’t even aware
of it.
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Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system equipped with horizontal aim indicators. The aim
has been preset at the factory and should need no
further adjustment. This is true even though your
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the
“0 (zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for
horizontal aim),
or if oncoming drivers flash their high
beams at you (for vertical aim).
If you believe your
headlamps need to be re-aimed, we recommend that
you take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
However, it is possible for you to re-aim your headlamps
as described
in the following procedure.
Notice: To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before beginning.
Failure to follow these instructions could cause
damage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are
25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall or other flat
surface.
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall
or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.
full tank of fuel and one person or 160
Ibs (75 kg) on
the driver’s seat.
The vehicle should be normally loaded with a
Tires should be properly inflated.
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Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low beam Headlamp Horizontal Aiming
lamps. The high beam lamps will be correctly aimed
if the low beam lamps are aimed properly. Turn the horizontal aiming screw (A) until the
The headlamp aiming devices are under the hood near indicator
(B) is lined
up with zero.
the headlamps.
If you believe your headlamps need horizontal (lefvright)
adjustment, follow the horizontal aiming procedure.
If Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
you believe your headlamps need only vertical vertical aim.
jupiaownj aajustment, ioiiow oniy tne verticai aiming
procedure.
Adjustment screws can be turned with an
E8 Torx@
socket or T15 Torxa screwdriver.
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Headlamp Vertical Aiming
Notice: Horizontal aiming must be performed
before making any adjustments to the vertical aim.
Adjusting the vertical aim first will result in an
incorrect headlamp aim.
1. Find the aim dot on the lens of the low beam
lamps.
2. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on each lamp;
if left low beam, subtract two
inches. Record this distance.
3. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the
ground upward the recorded distance from Step
2
and draw or tape a horizontal line the width of
the vehicle.
-- - /
I-
I
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4. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only
the beam of light from the headlamp being
aimed to be seen on the flat surface.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
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