air condition Oldsmobile Cutlass 1999 Owner's Manuals

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2-54 Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come on
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
When the engine is running, it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and you
hear a chime, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it
doesn't come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)

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2-58
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. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer 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.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

3-
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
3
-4 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-5 Defogging and Defrosting Windows
3
-5 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
3
-6 Ventilation System
3
-7 Audio Systems
3
-7 Setting the Clock
3
-7AM-FM Stereo
3
-9AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)3
-13 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone
Control (If Equipped)
3
-19 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-21 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-22 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-23 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-24 Fixed Mast Antenna

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Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you. The climate control system with air
conditioning uses ozone
-friendly R-134a refrigerant.
With this system, you can control the ventilation and
heating in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
Fan Knob
The left knob selects the force of air you want.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and
counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. To turn the fan
off (which will also turn the climate control system off),
turn the knob all the way counterclockwise. In any other
setting, the fan will run continuously. The fan must be
on to run the air conditioning compressor.
Temperature Knob
The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.
Mode Knob
The right control knob changes the functions of
the system.
VENT: In this position most of the air comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.
BI-LEVEL: In this position the air comes
through the instrument panel outlets and through the
floor outlets. Set the center control knob to the
temperature desired.

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FLOOR: In this position most of the air comes
through the floor outlet. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window outlets. Set the
center control knob to the temperature desired.
DEFOG: This position divides the air between
the floor outlets and the windshield defroster outlets.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this position when it is needed to help dry the air in
the vehicle.
DEFROST: This position directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlet. Some of the air
goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this position when
it is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.
Air Conditioning Compressor Button
Press A/C to operate the air conditioner compressor.
The indicator light will glow when the button is pressed
to indicate that the air conditioning system has been
turned on. The fan knob must be set to a speed.
Recirculation Button
Press this button to limit the amount of fresh air
entering your vehicle. This is helpful when you are
trying to limit odors entering your vehicle. The indicator
light on the button will glow when it is pressed.
RECIRCULATION is available in all modes, except
DEFOG and DEFROST.
Pressing RECIRCULATION will cancel
OUTSIDE AIR.
It is not recommended to use this button in the FLOOR
mode with heat. It is useful to quickly cool the vehicle
on hot days.
Outside Air
Press this button to allow the circulation of outside air in
the vehicle. The indicator light on the button will glow
when pressed. OUTSIDE AIR is available in all modes
including OFF and is automatically activated in DEFOG
and DEFROST.
Pressing OUTSIDE AIR will cancel RECIRCULATION.

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3-4 Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to
let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down, which should help
fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C button pushed in. The system
will bring in outside air and direct slightly warmer air to
your lower body.
For quick cool
-down on very hot days, use VENT with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area and the
A/C and RECIRCULATION buttons pressed. If this
setting is used for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
cool it.
Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR and the outside air button
with the temperature knob all the way in the red area.
The system will bring in outside air, heat it and send it to
the floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat outlets that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear
of obstructions so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the temperature
control knob all the way in the red area. Use DEFROST
and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To warm
passengers while keeping the front window clean,
use DEFOG.

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If you select RECIRCULATION while in the VENT,
BI-LEVEL or FLOOR modes, humid air can recirculate
inside the vehicle and allow moisture to form on the
windows. If this happens, either press the A/C button to
on or select DEFROST or the DEFOG modes.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
outlets. The side window defogger outlets are located on
the outside of the side instrument panel outlets. To defrost
the side windows turn the temperature control knob all
the way in the red area. Use FLOOR and adjust the fan to
the highest speed. To control fogging of the windows turn
the temperature control knob all the way to the red area.
Use DEFOG and adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning
use BI
-LEVEL and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button. For added airflow to the side
windows aim the side vents toward the windows and
close the center outlets.
RECIRCULATION will not work in DEFROST and
DEFOG. This is done to prevent recirculation of humid
inside air and allow the system to work properly.
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the defogger switch. The indicator light will glow.
The rear window defogger will turn itself off after about
10 minutes after the first time the button is pressed,
and after 5 minutes each additional time the button is
pressed. You can turn the defogger off by pressing the
button again or turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.

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NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob to FLOOR and the fan to the highest
speed for a few moments before driving off. This
helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture
and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of
your windows.

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Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
-- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

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4-38 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need
additional wiring. Check with your dealer. The 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 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 ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index).