light 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

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light’’ in
the Index.)
L
4 r,
‘I
In most stales .and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. Lf you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts
are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
1-7

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only €or people of adult size.
Be aware
that there are special things to know about safety
belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies.
If a child will be riding in your
vehicle,
see the part of this manual called “Children.”
Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll
start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across
you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should
use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
retailer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle
that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other
loose
or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
1-52

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you
if evewng is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2 2-4
2-6
2- 10
2- 12
2- 13
2-13
2- 14
2- 15
2- 16
2-18
2-22
2-23 2-25
2-26
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Lock Control
(If Equipped)
TrWnk
Theft Passlock'
New Vehicle "Break-In" Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting
Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Bum 2-26
2-27
2-28 2-28
2-29
2-29
2-36
2-38
2-40
2-4
1
2-45
2-46
2-48
2-50 Engine Exhaust
Running
Your Engine While You're Parked
Windows
Horn
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifimction Lever
Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors
or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to
30 feet (9 m) away using the remote lock control
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
In addition, the system
illuminates the interior
lights for a set period of
time. The remote lock
control system consists
of a
receiver, which
is located in
the vehicle, and two
hand-held transmitters.
Your remote lock control operates on a radio frequency
subject
to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.

Passlock@
Your vehicle is equipped with the passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
is a~passive theft-deterrent system. The system
is armed once the key is removed from the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key.
If a correct key is not used, fuel
is disabled.
During
normal operation, the THEFT SYSm light
will go
off after the engine is started.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light flashes, wait until the light
stops flashing before starting the engine.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light comes on while the engine
is running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your retailer
for service.
In an emergency, cal
Assistance Center at 1 the Oldsmobile Roadside
1-800-442-OLDS
(6537).
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
‘70reak-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See
“Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
0 Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
2-13

Ignition Positions
A
hB
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.
With
the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to four positions.
OFF (A): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is
off. It is the only position from
which you can remove the key. This position locks your
ignition and transaxle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key is in the ignition.
2-14

Second-Gear Start
Your vehicle is equipped with a second-gear start
feature. Place the shift lever in SECOND
(2) gear to
provide more traction when you are starting on ice or
other slippery surfaces. The transaxle will be in
SECOND
(2) gear when the vehicle begins to move.
After starting in SECOND
(2) gear, place the shift lever
in THIRD
(3) or DRIVE (a).
This feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery
and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, ice, snow
or gravel.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down on the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the parking
brake is not released when you begin to drive, a chime
will sound warning you that the parking brake is still on.

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 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.
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 HighLow Beam
To change the headlamps .
from low beam to high
beam, push forward on the
turn signal/multifunction
lever.
I I
To change the headlamps fkom high beam to low beam,
pull the
turn signal lever backward. When the high
beams
are on, a light on the instrument panel will also
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 signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them
off.