instrument panel OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1999 Owner's Manual

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2-53
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive
repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let
you know they're working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON, a chime will come on for
about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then it
will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº in
the Index.
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3-2
Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The left knob selects the force of air you want. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to OFF. The fan must be on to
run the air conditioning compressor.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan knob is
turned to the highest setting, regardless of the mode
setting, your passenger compartment air filter (if
equipped) may need to be replaced. See ªMaintenance
Scheduleº and ªPassenger Compartment Air Filter º in
the Index.Temperature Knob
The right knob changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn this knob clockwise
(toward red) for warmer air. Turn it counterclockwise
(toward blue) for cooler air.
Mode Push Buttons
The upper row of push buttons control the direction of
airflow. For each setting, set the temperature to a
comfortable setting. Each button has an indicator which
will glow when the button is pressed.
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air two ways. Half
of the air is directed through the instrument panel outlets.
Most of the remaining air is directed through the floor
ducts and a little to the defrost and side window vents.
FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of
the defroster and side window vents.
DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go
to the floor ducts and half to the defrost and side
window vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
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3-6
Fan Button
The button below the display is used to manually
select the force of air you want. The display will show
the fan speed. Fan control is no longer automatic, but
the system remains in auto temperature control.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan knob is
turned to the highest setting regardless of the mode
setting, your passenger compartment air filter (if
equipped) may need to be replaced. See ªMaintenance
Scheduleº in the Index.
A/C Button
Press the A/C button to turn compressor on/off. AUTO
will be extinguished, but system will maintain auto air
delivery and auto blower.
Mode Button
The MODE button is used to control the direction of
airflow when the system is not in AUTO. The first press
will display the current airflow direction. Repeated
pressing will cycle through the following air flow
directions shown in the display.
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV: This directs air two ways. Half of the air
is directed through the instrument panel outlets. Most of
the remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and
a little to the defrost and side window vents.
DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go
to the floor ducts and half to the defrost and side
window vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40
F (4.5
C).
LOWER: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of
the defrost and side window vents.
FRONT DEFROST BUTTON: This setting
directs most of the air through the defrost and side
window vents. Some of the air goes to the floor ducts.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is below
40
F (4.5
C).
RECIRC BUTTON: This setting recirculates the
air inside of your vehicle. This setting is not available in
defog or defrost mode.
OUTSIDE AIR BUTTON:This setting brings in
outside air.
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4-39 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 Turns
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 turns
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.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra 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.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
Press the switch located on
your instrument panel to
make your front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on
and off. Your hazard
warning flashers work no
matter what position your
key is in, and even if the
key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, press the switch again. When
the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals
won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
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5-9
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel lift
or car carrier equipment. Don't have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must
be towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle
more than 500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceed
50 mph (80 km/h). If these limitations must be
exceeded, then the drive wheels have to be supported on
a dolly.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and ªEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº in the Index. You
also have a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
See ªLow Coolant Lightº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (3.5L V6 Engine Only)
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of three cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a significant loss in power and
engine performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil. See
ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
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6-4
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood emission control
label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. If such fuels are not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or your
vehicle may fail a smog
-check test. (See ªMalfunction
Indicator Lampº in the Index.) If this occurs, return to
your authorized Oldsmobile dealer for diagnosis to
determine the cause of failure. In the event it is
determined that the cause of the condition is the type of
fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane
-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not
the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not
recommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing
MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your
emission control system performance may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Oldsmobile dealer for service.
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6-6
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your
vehicle. While refueling, hang the cap by the tether from
the pin on the filler door.
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The button for the fuel
door is on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
steering column.
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6-10 Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull the handle inside the vehicle.
It is located below the instrument panel on the
driver's side.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
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6-13
Before closing the hood, be sure that all the filler caps
are on properly. Then pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see ªLow Oil Lightº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
3800 V6 Engine 3.5L V6 Engine
The engine oil dipstick is the yellow loop near the front
of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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