Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Owner's Manuals

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll k\
now 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 SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped)
E. Horn
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
H. Ignition Switch
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
J. Fuse Panels
K. Climate Control System
L. Accessory Power Outlets
M. Gear Shift Lever
N. Audio System
0. Park Brake Pedal
P. Tilt Wheel Lever
Q. Hood Release Lever
R. Trunk Release Button
S. Instrument Panel Cupholder
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your vehicle is equipped with this cluster, which includes indicator wdg lights and gages that me explained on the
following pages. Be sure to read them.
SYSTEM THEFT
CHECK OIL SERVICE
VEHICLE
SOON
CRUISE
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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 eithex miles (used in the United States) or
kilometers (used
in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer. The
digital odometer will read 99,999.9
if someone tries to
turn it back.
Trip Odometer
b The trip odometer can tell
you how far you have
driven since you last reset it.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed.
zf the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But
if The reset button is located next to the trip odometer. To
it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on reset the trip odometer to zero, press and hold the reset
the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when button for one to two seconds. Also by pressing this
the new odometer was installed. button, you can toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer.
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Tachometer
RPM
x 1000
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
1 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.
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.
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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.
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.
I
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds. 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 mans
the svstem is rea
, ..
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on. 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.
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I I
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
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. With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you
turn your
ignition on or start your engine and it
will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on and the chime sounds when you’re
driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to reset the system.
If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re
driving, your vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes,
but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular
brake system warning light
is also on, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light” earlier
in
this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
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Low Coolant Warning Light
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop
your vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
m
This light comes on briefly
when you
turn your
ignition to
ON.
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible
signs of steam, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
before opening
the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called
OBD 11 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The
CHECK ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before
any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing
any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after
a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust or fuel system of your vehicle or the
replacement of the original tires with other than
those
of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission controls
and may cause the light to come
on.
modifications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty. This
may also result
in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your vehicle. Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
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