towing Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1996 Owner's Manuals

New Vehicle aBreak-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Oldsmobile doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better
in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the fist
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.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a nailer” in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
C
I
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): This position lets you use things like the
radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To
use ACC (Accessory), push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
I

‘ Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL, (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Oldsmobile
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
~ 1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of
the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
I NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2.
If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could
be flooded with’too much gasoline. Try pushing you
accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor and holding it
there
as you hold the key in START for up to 15 seconds.
his cl& the extra gasoline from the engine.
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your retailer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
. ,-
2-12
1

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
may have a shift lever on
the steering column
or
on the console between
the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles, when you’re in PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL
(N), to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully into PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Oldsmobile has a
brakeLtransaxle shift interlock.
You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the RUN position. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
by
pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the
2-14

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is for
normal driving. It is the ovetdrive position. If you need
more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator ppdal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
i
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or
if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (56 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE
(a) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(0).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0)):
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
- When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
between gears.
6

Parking Brake
- To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
NOTICE:
~~~
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow
it to the
released position.
2-18

Shifting Into PARK (P)
~~ ~
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake. firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Column Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
I I
2.. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
2-19

Power Windows
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehkle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the’
parking. brake firmly,set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle wlqen the.engi.ne
is , ’
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the . ’
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. ”
You or‘others could be injured. .To be sure.your ,.
.vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level’ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t ,
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index,.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer,
also see. “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. .
!
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition
is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a’switch for its own window.
rhe driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the’driver’s window will open
a small amount. If the
rear
of the switch is pressed all the way down, the
window will
go all the way down.

Brake System Warning Light
Your Oldsmobile’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 workmg well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be
a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. 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 comes 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, or if the anti-lock brake system warning light
is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index
.)
1 C.’ UTION:
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 or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing
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.
2-47

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be
a problem with your
regular brakes. 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.
Vehicle” in the Index.)
, Have the .vehicle towed for service. (See.“Towing Your
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly
if the anti-lock brake system warning
light is flashing. Driving with the anti-lock brake system warning light flashing can lead to an
accident. After you’ve pulled
off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition
off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
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 Oldsmobile needs service. If
the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
2-48

0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
I 0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the lightstops flashing and remains,on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If
the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine.
~ If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still flashing, follow
the
1 previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your retailer or
qualified service center for service.
1
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the.following:
Did you just put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to .evap.orate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips 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.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not
run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire.
The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.