heater OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 Owners Manual

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Oldsmobile, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that
tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-50 Important Information About Keys
Door Locks
Remote Lock
Control
Battery Replacement for RKE
Switchbanks
Sliding Door
Power Sliding Door
Operation of Sliding Door Security Locks
Preventing Theft
of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle "Break-In"
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting
Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Guidelines
Important Information on Engine Exhaust
Locks and Lighting Choices
Windows 2-52
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2-7
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2- 84
2-85
2- 86
2-88
2-92 Adjusting the
Tilt Steering
Wheel
Functions of the Multifunction Lever
How to Use
the High/Low Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid
Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Interior Lamps
Rearview Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Driver Information Center
Accessory Power Outlets
S u nroo f
Air Inflator System
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
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3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try this:
Wait
15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Then push your accelerator pedal
all the way to the
floor. Hold
it there. Then hold the key in START.
This clears the extra gasoline from
the engine. When
the engine starts,
let go of the key and the accelerator
pedal.
If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and repeat this step.
NOTICE: I
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.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0” F (- 18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and
better
fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
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To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood, release the reusable tie-strap and
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 11 0-volt AC outlet.
unwrap the electrical cord.
ON:
I - - I
Plugging
the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Oldsmobile retailer
in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The retailer can give you the
best advice
for that particular area.
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Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for
you. Your comfort control system uses
ozone-friendly
R- 134a refrigerant.
With these systems you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your Oldsmobile. Your vehicle
also
has a flow-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Fan Knob
The left knob is the fan knob and selects the force of air
you want. Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed
and counterclockwise to decrease fan speed.
The fan
must be turned on for the air conditioning compressor
to operate.
Temperature Knob
The center knob controls the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn it counterclockwise
(toward the blue area) for cooler air. Turn it clockwise
(toward the red area) for warmer air.
Mode Knob
This knob selects the direction of where the air will
enter the vehicle.
+e
/J UPPER: This setting directs outside air through
the instrument panel outlets.
+fl BI-LEV This setting directs outside air into your
vehicle
in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the front instrument panel outlets,
while warmed air is directed through the heater ducts at
your feet.
+e
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Heating Ventilation System
Turn
the temperature knob to the right (toward the red
area) to warm the air.
In the LOWER mode, outside air will be brought in and
sent through the floor outlets. The heater works best if
you keep your windows closed while using
it.
The BI-LEV setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results, turn
the temperature control knob to
the middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
If you have
the optional engine coolant heater and use it
during cold weather, 0°F (- 18 “C) or lower, your heating
system will provide heat more quickly because the
engine coolant is already warmed. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in
the Index. 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 fan is running.
Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust the
direction and amount
of airflow inside the vehicle. Push
the outlet up or down to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase or reduce the amount
of airflow by
opening and closing
the louvers. Opening and closing
the louvers will
also direct airflow from side to side.
The air-flow through the vents can be shut off
completely by turning the thumb-wheel next to each
outlet all the way down.
You can also stop outside air
from entering by turning the fan to OFF and pushing
the RECIRC button.
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Ventilation Tips
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Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). This will allow
the heater and defroster
to work much better, reducing
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle
in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to
5 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.
Keep the area around
the base of the center
instrument panel console and the air path under the
front seats clear of objects. This helps air to circulate
throughout your vehicle.
Rear Climate Control (If Equipped)
If you have the optional rear climate control, the rear
seat passengers can control the temperature and
the
amount of air directed to the rear of the vehicle. The
amount
of air directed to the rear of the vehicle can also
be adjusted using
the front control for the rear fan.
Set the main climate control mode knob to
BI-LEV,
LOWER or DEFOG, when outside temperatures are
cold or moderate, to send air to the rear of the vehicle
through the lower vents.
Set the main climate control mode knob
to UPPER
to send air to the rear of the vehicle through the
headliner outlets.
To send conditioned air to the rear of the vehicle, press
the
A/C button (the light will glow) on the main Climate
Controls.
If you do not select A/C, air directed to the
rear
of the vehicle will be cabin temperature.
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Turn the temperature knob counterclockwise (to the blue
area) for cooler air, or clockwise (to the red area) for
warmer air.
To maintain a comfortable temperature
in the rear, use
either rear fan control
to adjust the force of air coming
through the rear outlets.
Select the desired climate control mode using the
directional controls on
the instrument panel (see “Mode
Knob” earlier
in the section). The mode you choose will
regulate both the front and rear climate control systems.
Rear Air Vents: To maximize airflow through the rear
heater outlet, place the
left bucket seat in the second row
in
the forward position (see “Adjusting Rear Seats’’ in
the Index).
The vent behind the left rear seat
is the cold air return
vent, Be sure to keep it free of obstructions.
Please keep the area around the base
of the center
instrument panel console and between and under the
front seats free of objects that could obstruct airflow to
the rear.
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Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
control knob all the way clockwise (to the red area) and
turn the mode knob to
DEFROST.
Adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air
through the heater ducts,
turn the mode knob to DEFOG.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the
BI-LEVEL setting and adjust the fan to the
highest speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument
panel toward the side windows. For increased airflow to
the side vents, close the center vents.
Rear Window Defogger
Press REAR (the light
will glow) to
warm the
defogger grid
on the
rear window.
The rear window defogger will turn
off automatically
after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the
defogger will operate for about five minutes.
You can
also turn the defogger
off by turning off the ignition or
pressing the switch again.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.
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I A CAUTION:
I
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it
or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base
of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just
a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This
will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve
the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
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NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” in the Index.
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get
a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign
of steam,
try this for
a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window
as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If
the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see
if the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn ofthe engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed previously
in
this section.
You may decide not to
lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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