battery Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Owner's Manuals

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYESBY
@
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAllERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAM€S
SPARK OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your vehicle
is
driven:
UNLOCK Pa
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
.;/
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
RUNNING
* 0
DAYTIME -
LAMPS .**
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
wm Q
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
VENTILATING
* 9
FAN 4
These symbols
are used on
warning and indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BAlTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
ENGINE OIL e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V

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.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even
if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts. If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless \
the battery cables are first disconnected.
~~ ~~~
~~
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
retailer and the Cutlass Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you
is qualified
to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-26

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment. This system has
a range of about
3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times youmay notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or
if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:
e
e
e
e
Check to determine if battery replacement or
synchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too
far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
If you’re still having trouble, see your retailer or a
qualified technician for service.
2-7

Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote lock
control transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery
is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
I NOTICE:
I I
I
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any of the circuitry. Static from your body
I
I transferred to these surfaces may damage I To replace the battery in the remote lock control transmitter:
I the transmitter. I 1.
2.
3.
Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separate
the bottom
half from the top half of the transmitter.
Remove the battery and replace it with the new one.
Make sure the positive
(+) side of the battery faces
down. Use one
3 volt, CR2032, or equivalent,
type battery.
ht the two halves back together. Make sure the
cover is on tight,
so water won’t get in.
2-9

If the ignition has been off for less than two minutes, the
lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
15
seconds after your key is removed from the ignition to
provide
an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamp. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the'lamp off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened. The
OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp
(trunk, reading, footwell or
glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned
off, the
battery saver system will automatically shut the lamp
off
after 20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, either:
The ignition must be turned on,
The activated lamp switch must be turned off and
A front door must be opened.
The battery saver feature will also be activated when
any door of your vehicle is left open.
then
on or
2-39

RCL: Press this button to see which track is playing.
Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has
been playing. To change what
is normally shown on the
display (track or elapsed time), press the button until
you see the display you want, then hold the button until
the display flashes.
While elapsed time is showing,
EL TM will appear on the display.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc
is in the player.
TAPE-CD: Press this button to change to the tape or
disc function when the radio is on and either a tape or
CD is inserted. Press AM-FM to return to the radio
while a CD or tape is playing. The inactive tape or CD
will remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
If
you have the optional CD changer and the CD changer
is loaded, the TAPE-CD button will activate the changer
and a box will be lighted around CDC in the display.
EJECT: Press this button to remove the compact disc or
cassette tape. The icon with the box around it on the
display will eject and the radio will play. EJECT may be
activated with either the ignition or radio
off. Cassettes
and compact discs may be loaded with the radio and
ignition
off if this button is pressed first.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK@ is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by
using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored.
If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK
is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed.
If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before it will operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It
is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse
between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start the procedure over at Step
4.
1. Write down any three or four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.

~~ ~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~
~~~ ~ . ~~
-Run
your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for
a while.
' Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
' out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
.. every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
You can tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for use
at your'destination. Be sure to use the proper towing
equipment designed for recreational towing. Follow the
instructions for the towing equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front
There are two ways to tow your vehicle from the front.
To tow your vehicle with a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.

To tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,
follow these steps:
m
A
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn &.ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the following fuses from the left side of the
instrument panel fuse block A) Radio, B)
Wiper,
H) Powertrain Control Module, K) Body Function
Control Module, Cluster.
This will prevent your battery
from
draining while towing. See “Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
- Left” in Section 6 for the location of these fuses.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACC.
6. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to replace the fuses once you reach your
destination.
To replace a fuse:
1. Set the parhg brake.
2. Remove the key from the
3. Replace the fuse. ignition switch.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
65 mph (105 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.
4-29

Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
mother vehicle
and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. But please follow
the steps here to do it safely.
I
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
0 They contain enough electricity to
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
burn
you.
I-OTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start
your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
~~ ~
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-3

10.
11.
12.
Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The elactrical connection
is just as goad
there, but the chance of sparks gettmg back to the
battery is much less.
Now start the vehicle with the good battery
and run
the engine for a while.
Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other
or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B . Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
I,
5-7 I