turn signal 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

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

____ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~
~ ~~~~
4. Check the operation of the transmitter with your
vehicle. If the transmitter does not work, try
synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver.
Synchronization
Your remote lock control system is equipped with a
security system that prevents anyone from recording and
playing back your signal. The transmitter does not send
the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver will
not respond to a signal that has been sent to it more
than once.
To synchronize your transmitter and receiver, follow
these directions:
1. Stand close to your vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the transmitter at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons for five seconds. In this time, the
doors should lock and unlock once. This confirms
the resynchronization.
If the doors do not lock and
unlock, see your retailer for service.
~~~ .~ ~~ - ..
Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunZC 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.
Thrn 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.
instrument panel, open them all the
way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-10 B
.-

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.

Exterior Lamps
Rotate the turn signal lever end cap up one position to
turn on:
Parking Lamps
Side Marker Lamps
Taillamps
0 License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights Rotate the
turn signal lever end cap up two positions to
turn on:
Headlamps
0 Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch to
OFF to turn all of the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you
will hear a
warning chime.
2-36

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on
dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious
if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may
get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on
dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades
are in good shape, a heavy rain
can
make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs
of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips
of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
4-16

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, there
is usually
a ramp that leads to the
freeway.
If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic.
Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try
to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your
turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try
to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your
turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in
your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving
on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want
to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
4-20

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making nrns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider tums
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
4-37

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need additional wiring. Check with your retailer. The green
arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other drivers
you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn
off the air conditioning to reduce
engine load (see “Engine Overheating” in the Index).
4-38

To turn off the flashers, press the switch again.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals mn't work.
Other Warning Devices