instrument panel OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1997 Owners Manual

The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...
or the instrument panel . . .
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There.is ;an air bag readiness
light
011 the instrument
panel,
which shows the air
bag symbol.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
0
0
0
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.
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Section 2 Features and Controls
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-8
2-11
2-13
2-13
2- 14
2-
15
2- 17
2-2
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2-21
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Here
you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsmobile, and infomation 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.
Important Information About Keys
Door Locks Operation of Child Security Locks
Remote Lock Control
Battery Replacement for Remote
Lock Control
Preventing Theft of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Second-Gear Start
Parking Brake Guidelines Important Information on Engine Exhaust
Operation of Your Windows 2-27
2-28
2-29
2-30
2-32
2-35
2-36
2- 37
2-39
2-41
2-45
2-46
2-50 Adjusting
the Tilt Steering Wheel
Functions of the Multifunction Lever
How to Use the High/Low-Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (Dm) and
Automatic Light Control
(ALC)
Interior Lamps
Rearview Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sunroof
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
2-1
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Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the
trunk lock cylinder.
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:
Make sure all windows are shut.
7h-n the fan on your heating or cooling system
to
its highest speed with the setting on VENT.
That will force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls’’ in the Index.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Remote Trunk Release
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ACC (Accessory) (B): This position unlocks the
transaxle. It
also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is not running.
To
use ACC, push in the key and turn it to the right. Use
this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed,
but never
try to push-start your vehicle.
ON (C): This position unlocks the ignition and
transaxle.
This position is also where the key returns
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine
is not running, you can use ON to
operate your electrical power accessories, and to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to
ON for normal driving.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 3100 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
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~
~ Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
I
The lever on the left side
of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
' Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Park Lamps and Headlamps
lbrn 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.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash
in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
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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.
A warning chime signal will come on if you have left
your turn signal on for more than
3/4 mile (1 km).
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes rapidly, 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 arrow doesn’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low Beam
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, push forward on the
turn signaUmultifunction
lever.
To change the
headlamps from high beam
to low beam, pull the turn
signal lever backward.
When the high bearns are
I I on, a light on the instrument
panel also will be on.
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.
To use it, pull the turn signaYmultifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them
off.
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Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Light
Control
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.
A light sensor below the defroster grille makes the
DRL and Automatic Light Control (ALC) work, so
be sure it isn’t covered. The DRL system will make
your low-beam headlamps come on at
a reduced
brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off,
0 The transaxle is not in PARK (P) and
0 The park brake is not set. When the
DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other
lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be
lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, the
ALC system will
turn your headlamps on to full brightness. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, the ALC system will
turn off your regular lamps, and your low-beam
headlamps change to the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DIU
off, set the park
brake while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle.
The
DRL will stay off until you release the park brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn
on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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