OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1997, Model line: CUTLASS, Model: OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997Pages: 353, PDF Size: 16.72 MB
Page 101 of 353

Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror Accessory Power Outlets
(If Equipped)
This mirror is located on the passenger’s side visor.
When you lift the cover, the light will turn
on.
Your vehicle is equipped with two accessory power
outlets. There is one located at the front of the center
console and one located on the passenger’s side of the
center console. Just lift up the door to reveal the outlet.
You can use it to plug in additional electric accessories.
Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions that
are included with any electrical accessory you install.
The accessory power outlets
are protected by a fuse and
have a maximum current level.
2-44
ProCarManuals.com
Page 102 of 353

Garment Hook
Pull down on the outer ring
to use the garment hook.
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Open the sunshade by hand when using the
vent position.
To partially open, or use the vent position of the
sunroof, push the switch back and release it.
To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release. This is the express open mode of the
sunroof.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop
if the
switch is released during operation.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed
if
your Oldsmobile has an electrical failure.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.
2-45
ProCarManuals.com
Page 103 of 353

Instrument Panel
I
2-46
ProCarManuals.com
Page 104 of 353

Your 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.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Fog Lamp Switch
B. Instrument Panel intensity Control
C. Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
D. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped)
E. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Horn
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Windshield Wipermasher Lever
H. Ignition Switch
J. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
K. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
L. Fuse Panels
M. Climate Control System
N. Accessory Power Outlets
0. Gear Shift Lever
P. Audio System
Q. Park Brake Pedal
R. Tilt Wheel Lever
S. Hood Release Lever
T. Trunk Release Button
U. Instrument Panel Cupholder
2-47
-
ProCarManuals.com
Page 105 of 353

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your Oldsmobile is equipped with this cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages \
that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read them.
I 2-48
ProCarManuals.com
Page 106 of 353

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour
(km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States) or
kilometers (used
in Canada).
Your Oldsmobile has a tamper resistant odometer. The
digital odometer will read
999,999 if someone tries to
turn it back.
You may wonder what happens
if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed.
If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But
if
it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on
the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when
the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell
you how
far you have
driven since you last reset it.
The reset button is located next to the trip odometer. To
reset the trip odometer to zero, press and hold the reset
button for one to two seconds.
Also by pressing this
button, you can toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer.
2-49
ProCarManuals.com
Page 107 of 353

Tachometer
I
4
RPM
x 1000
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute
(rpm).
I NOTICE:
Do not run your engine at speeds in the red area,
or 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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 108 of 353

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.
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, unless the driver’s safety belt
is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt
is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
2-51
ProCarManuals.com
Page 109 of 353

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 sensor, the air
bag modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air
bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine
or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. 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.
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come
on when you turn
on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is worhg.
Then it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and
you hear
a chime, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have
it checked right away. Driving while
this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-52
ProCarManuals.com
Page 110 of 353

Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. If it
doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed
so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s
a
problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer
to the
floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come
on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
ProCarManuals.com