warning light OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1995 User Guide

Voltmeter
18
” /
When the engine is not running, but the ignition is on (in
the RUN position), the display measures the voltage
output
of your battery.
Brake System Warning Light
[BRAKE]
Your charging system gage will show the rate of charge
when the engine is running.
The reading will change as the rate
of charge changes
(with the engine speed, etc.), but readings between the
red warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
Readings in either red zone indicate
a possible problem
with your charging system. Have your Oldsmobile
serviced immediately. 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 working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly as you start the
vehicle.
If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem,
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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.)
The brake system warning light will also come
on when
you set your parking brake, and it 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.
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 doesn’t come on,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
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.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in
the Index.)
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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 ahti-lock brakes.
Traction Control System Warning Light
(Option)
TCS
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on,
the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will
turn off and the warning light will come on
until your brakes cool down. If the traction control
system warning light comes on and stays on for an
extended period
of time, your vehicle needs service.
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The liftgate ajar symbol on your instrument panel will
come
on if your liftgate is not completely closed.
Power Sliding Door Warning Light
With the optional power sliding door, the sliding door
ajar symbol
on your instrument panel will come on if
your sliding door is not completely closed.
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) while the
sliding door is open or in the process
of closing, and the
power sliding door enable switch is
in the ON position,
the power sliding door warning light will flash and a
buzzer will sound.
This is a warning that the sliding
door is not completely closed.
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If you manually slam the power sliding door shut when
the ignition is on, the power sliding door warning light
may come on and stay on.
To turn the light off, reopen
and close the
door using either power door switch, or
manually open and close the door again more slowly.
Low Fuel Warning Light
L
F
When there is between 3 gallons (1 1 liters) and 0.5 gallon
(1.8 liters) of fuel left in the tank, the warning light next to
the fuel symbol will go on.
This light will also come on when you turn on the,
ignition, but the engine is not running, to show you
it is
working. If it doesn’t come on as you start your vehicle,
have it fixed right away.
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When you start your vehicle, or when you begin to drive
away, you may hear
a momentary motor or clicking
noise. And
you may even notice that your brake pedal I
moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS
system testing itself. (You may also hear a clicking noise
if you leave the ignition in the
RUN position for about
four seconds before starting the vehicle.) If there’s
a
problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock
brake system warning light will stay on or flash.
See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light’’ in the
Index. Here’s
how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road
is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out
in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
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Traction Control System
(Option:
3800 V6 Engine)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the front brakes
and reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
The LOW TRACTION light will come on when your
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See
“Low Traction Light” in the Index. You may feel the
system working, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you
to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in
the Index.)
TCS
The TCS warning light will come on to let you know if
there’s a problem with your traction control system.
See “Traction Control System Warning Light’’ in the
Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are going.
Get
a city map and plan your trip into an unknown
part
of the city just as you would for a cross-country
trip.
Freeway Driving
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the
next part, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start
to move, check both ways for vehicles that have
not cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.
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.
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Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel,
a flashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece
of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have
a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very
careful.
What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s
about freezing
(32 OF; 0” C) and freezing rain begins to
fall. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand
crews can get there.
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Oldsmobile
will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 128 ” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled)
and one-half antifreeze that meets “GM
Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any complete coolant flush and refill.
If you use
this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged.
The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
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