brake light OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 User Guide

Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left, when the ignition is on. When the gage first
indicates EMPTY
(E), you
still have a little fuel left,
but you should get more
soon.
After filling the fuel tank, the gage will not read
FULL (F) until the ignition is turned on.
Here
are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads FULL
(F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,
0 The gage doesn’t go back to EMPTY (E) when you
brake or speed up.
turn
off the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
EN
When there is between
3 gallons (1 1 L) and
1 .O gallon (3.8 L) 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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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot
of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That
means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down.
If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up,
it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder
to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system
will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even notice
that your brake pedal moves
a little. (You may also hear
a clicking noise
if you leave the ignition in the RUN
position for about four seconds before starting the
vehicle.) This is normal.
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on or
flash. See “Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
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Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance.
If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the
system working, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
LOW
TRACTION
If your vehicle has the
traction control system, this
light will come on when
your anti-lock system is
adjusting brake pressure to
help avoid a braking skid.
See “Low Traction Light”
in the Index.
Traction Control System (If Equipped)
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.
You may feel or hear the system worlung, 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.)
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When the system is on, this
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.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin,
especially
in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn
the
traction control system off if you ever need to. (You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
7
C
C
C
L
To turn the system off, press
the
TCS symbol on the
bottom of the button in the
center console switchbank.
The indictor light on the
traction control button will
go off.
The traction control system warning light will come on
and stay on. If the system
is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button, the warning light will come on
-- but the
system won’t
turn off right away. It will wait until there’s
no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The traction control svstem warning
light should go
off.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
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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 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. Driving
too fast through large water puddles or
even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But
if you can't, try to slow down before you hit them.
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work
as well in
a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through
a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work pormally.
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1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with
a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your Oldsmobile, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
NOTICE:
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put an
automatic transaxle in PARK
(P).
2. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or accessory power outlet. Turn
off all lamps
that aren’t needed as well as radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. In addition, it
could save your radio!
NOTICE:
~~ -
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or improperly
installed. Ths would allow
fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type,
it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
1
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get
new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
I A CAUTION: I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when
work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls
to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on.
See “Brake System Warning
Light”
in the Index.
BRAKE
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Brake Wear
Your Oldsmobile has front disc brakes and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may
come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: 1
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
1
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when
the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your br.
c~ k es.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators,
but if
you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete
axle sets.
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/ -.
FUSE USAGE CHART
BREAKERS
ELEC PRNDL RR DEFOG ELC
HEADlAMP
20
10 CRUISE 10 TlSlG 15 SIR 10 IGN 1 10 PSD
10 25
‘a 25
25 PWR OTR VENT RR HVAC FR$~~~~~~w’ SUNROOF HVAC/DRL
10
20 10
PIM WDQ/RR 2 10 M 20 FRT WPR WSHR SWC ACCY MALURADIO/DC RR WPR WSHR BCM PRGRM -- I PWGiAT, I HAZARD 15 STOP LAMP 15
L 20 PWR LOCK RR PWR SCKT ABS MOL BATT 20 10
FRT HVAC HI 20 2 K ABS SOL SWC BACK LIGHT
For More Information, See Owner’s Manual . Printed in 10250877 /
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FRT HVAC
HI BLWR ......... Blower Motor Resistor
HEADLAMP
...... DRL Control Module,
Headlamp Dimmer Switch and
Headlamp Switch
PWR SEATFSD
... 6-way Power Seat(s) and Rear
Side Door Actuator Motor
PWR WDO/RR VENT
............ Front Power Windows
FUSES
ABS MDL BATT ... Electronic Brake Traction
ABS
SOL ......... LH and RH Front Brake
ABS/TCS
IGN ..... Electronic Brake Control Relay
BCM
PRGRM ..... Body Control Module (BCM)
CIGARDLC
...... Cigarette Lighter and Data
CRUISE
.......... Cruise Control Module, Switch
CTSY LAMP
...... BCM
DRL
............. DRL Control Module
ELC
............. Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Air Compressor and ELC Relay
ELEC PRNDL
..... Instrument Cluster to PRNDL
Indicators Control Module
(EBTCM)
Solenoid Valve
and EBTCM
Link Connector (DLC)
and Release Switch
FRT HVAC
LOW/MED BLWR
. Heater-A/C Control
FRT PWR SCKT
... Front Electric Accessory Plug
Housing
Motor and Switch
FRT
WPR/WSHR
. . Windshield Wiper/Washer
HAZARD
......... Turn Signal Switch
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