ignition OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: OLDSMOBILE, Model Year: 1998, Model line: SILHOUETTE, Model: OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998Pages: 444, PDF Size: 23.2 MB
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If your vehicle ever gets  into  a  lot of water -- such as 
water up  to the carpeting  or higher 
-- or if water  enters 
your vehicle  and soaks  the  carpet,  the  air bag controller 
can  be soaked  and ruined. 
If this ever  happens, and then 
you  start  your vehicle, the damage could  make  the 
frontal  and side  impact air bags  inflate and safety belt 
pretensioners activate, even  if there’s  no crash.  You 
would  have to replace  the  air  bags,  all the sensors  and 
related  parts,  parts of the  safety belt system  and parts 
of 
the  driver  and right  front  passenger’s seatbacks.  If your 
vehicle is  ever in a 
flood, or if it’s  exposed  to water that 
soaks the  carpet,  you can avoid needless  repair  costs by 
turning  off the  vehicle immediately.  Don’t let anyone 
start  the  vehicle, even  to tow  it, unless  the battery cables 
are  first  disconnected. 
Servicing  Your Air Bag-Equipped  Vehicle 
Air bags  affect  how  your  vehicle should  be  serviced. 
There  are parts  of the air  bag systems  in  several  places 
around  your vehicle.  Your retailer  and the  Silhouette 
Service  Manual have information about servicing your 
vehicle and  the 
air bag systems. To purchase  a service 
manual, see “Service  and Owner Publications”  in 
the Index. 
For  up to 10 minutes  after  the  ignition key is 
, turned off and the battery is disconnected,  an air 
bag  can  still  inflate  during improper  service. You 
can be injured  if  you are close  to an air bag  when 
it inflates.  Avoid wires wrapped  with  yellow  tape 
or  yellow  connectors.  They  are probably  part of 
the  air bag  systems.  Be sure 
to follow  proper 
service  procedures,  and make  sure the person 
performing  work for you  is  qualified  to  do 
so. 
~~  ~~ 
The air bag  systems  do  not need regular maintenance. 
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Section 2 Features  and  Controls 
Here you can  learn  about  the  many standard  and optional  features  on your vehicle, 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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2-8 
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2-15 
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2-25 
2-26 
2-27 
2-29 
2-30 
2-34  2-35 
2-37  Keys 
Door  Locks 
Remote Lock  Control  (Option) 
Switchbanks 
Sliding  Door 
Power  Sliding  Door (Option) 
Liftgate 
Theft 
Content  Theft-Deterrent  (Option) 
New  Vehicle  “Break-In” 
Ignition  Positions 
Starting  Your Engine 
Engine  Coolant Heater 
(If Equipped) 
Automatic  Transaxle  Operation 
Parking  Brake 
Shifting  Into  PARK 
(P) 
Shifting Out of PARK (P) 
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1 
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2-65 
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2-8 
1 
2-82 
2-86  2-99  Parking Over Things 
That Burn 
Engine Exhaust 
Running  Your Engine While  You’re Parked 
Locks and  Lighting Choices 
Windows 
Turn  SignalMultifunction  Lever 
Exterior  Lamps 
Interior  Lamps 
Mirrors  Storage  Compartments 
Sun  Visors 
Accessory Inflator System  (Option) 
Accessory Power  Outlet 
Instrument  Panel 
Warning Lights, Gages and  Indicators 
Driver  Information  Center (DIC) (Option) 
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Keys 
I 
Leaving  young  children  in  a  vehicle  with  the 
ignition  key  is  dangerous  for  many  reasons. 
A child  or  others  could  be  badly  injured  or 
even  killed. 
They  could  operate  power  windows  or  other 
controls  or  even  make  the  vehicle  move.  Don't 
leave  the  keys  in  a  vehicle  with  young  children. 
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The master  key can be 
used 
for the  ignition  as 
well 
as all  door  locks, 
the  liftgate  lock  and the 
storage  compartments. 
If you need  a new  key, contact  your Oldsma,'  :le 
retailer, 
who  can obtain  the  correct  key code.  In an emergency, 
call Oldsmobile Roadside  Assistance at 
1-800-442-OLDS  (6537).  (In Canada, call 
1-800-268-6800.) 
I NOTICE: 
Your  vehicle  has  a number  of  new  features  that 
can  help  prevent  theft.  But  you  can  have  a lot  of 
trouble  getting  into  your  vehicle  if  you  ever  lock 
your  key  inside. 
You may  even  have  to  damage 
your  vehicle  to  get  in. 
So be  sure  you  have  an 
extra  key. 
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You can lock all doors and the liftgate from the  inside by 
pressing the  rear of the power lock switch on  either front 
door.  If  your vehicle  is  equipped with the Content 
Theft-Deterrent  system,  the power door  lock switch  may 
cause  the system to arm. 
See “Content Theft-Deterrent” 
in  the  Index  for more details. 
To unlock any door  or  the  liftgate from the outside with 
your  key, turn the  key to the  unlock position  and release. 
This  will only unlock that  door  or the liftgate.  You can 
unlock all  the  doors and the liftgate by holding  the key 
cylinder  in  the  unlock position  for  one second. 
With power door locks,  you can lock all the doors from 
the outside  by inserting the key and turning the key 
cylinder  to  the lock position. 
With  power  locks,  when  the  doors  are  locked,  the  inside 
as 
well  as the  outside  door  handle  cannot  open  the  doors. 
This safety  feature  prevents  a door from  being  accidentally 
opened  from the  inside  by  moving  the  handle. 
To override  this safety  feature, move the locking lever to 
the unlock position on the  door you want  to open. 
When  the  liftgate  has  been  unlocked  with  the  power  door  locks,  you  won’t 
need the  key to open  it.  Simply  squeeze 
the  handle  above  the  license  plate. 
This is  also true if you 
use  the  optional  remote  lock  control  transmitter.  See 
“Remote  Lock  Control”  later  in 
this section. 
Automatic Door Locks 
All  of  the doors  will lock automatically when  you move 
your shift lever out  of 
PARK (P). All doors  will unlock 
automatically when  the ignition  is turned  off while the 
shift lever is  in  PARK (P). 
You  can program the Automatic Door Locks to  operate 
with  the remote  lock control system and to lock and 
unlock automatically  to suit your needs.  See “Locks and 
Lighting Choices”  in the Index. 
With  the Automatic Door Locks  feature, you can still 
lock  or unlock the  doors at any time,  either manually  or 
with  the power door lock switches. 
Last Door Closed Locking 
The Last Door Closed Locking  feature makes it  easier to 
use  your power door  locks to lock all the doors and the 
liftgate  when leaving your vehicle. 
When  any door  or the liftgate  is  open, the first time  you 
attempt  to lock the doors using the power lock switch  or 
the remote lock control transmitter  (if equipped), will 
result  in three chimes  to signal that Last Door Closed 
Locking is being used.  All doors  and 
the liftgate  can be 
opened  for  five  seconds from 
the time the last door 
is  closed. 
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Five seconds  after the last  door is closed,  all the  doors 
will  lock.  You can lock  the  doors  immediately  by using 
the  power  door lock switch  or  the remote  lock 
control  transmitter. 
If  the  ignition  is  in RUN  or  ACCESSORY,  this feature 
will not  lock  the  doors. 
To turn the  Last  Door  Closed Locking  feature off or  on, 
see  “Locks and  Lighting Choices” in the  Index. 
Sliding Door Delayed  Locking 
If the  sliding  door is open when  you use your power 
door  locks  to  lock  the  vehicle, the  sliding  door  is  not 
locked.  Normally  the  Last Door Closed Locking  feature 
will  be used  to  lock  the  sliding  door  after  it  has 
been  closed. 
When the ignition  is on 
or if the  Last  Door Closed 
Locking  feature has been  overridden  or  programmed to 
be off,  the  Sliding  Door  Delayed Locking  feature will 
lock  your  sliding  door  for  you.  Three  seconds after  the 
sliding door is  closed,  all  the  doors  will lock.  If you 
have  the  dual  sliding  doors,  all  doors  will lock  three 
seconds  after  both sliding  doors  are  closed. 
Lockout  Deterrent 
The Lockout Deterrent  feature makes it difficult  for you 
to  lock your keys in your vehicle.  If the driver’s door  is 
open  while  the keys  are 
in the  ignition,  you will  not  be 
able  to  use  your power  door  lock  to  lock  the  vehicle. 
If you don’t  leave  the  keys in the ignition  or if you  use 
the  manual  door lock,  you could  still lock your keys  in 
your vehicle. Always remember to take your keys 
with you. 
To  turn this  feature 
off or on,  see “Locks and  Lighting 
Choices” in the  Index. 
Leaving Your Vehicle 
If you are  leaving  the vehicle, take your keys, open your 
door  and set the  locks  from  the inside.  Then get  out  and 
close  the  door. 
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NOTICE: 
When your vehicle goes through  an  automatic 
car  wash,  be  sure  the  power  sliding  door  override 
feature  is  enabled. 
If it isn’t,  the  power  sliding 
door 
may open  accidentally. 
7 
C 
C 
C  
The  sliding door must be unlocked  for it to  operate.  The 
key  does  not have  to be  in  the ignition.  To help avoid 
accidental operation  of the sliding door, disable the 
power sliding door  by pushing the power sliding door 
override  switch. 
When  the key  is in the ignition  in RUN, the power 
sliding door  will only open  if the transaxle 
is in 
PARK  (P). The  transaxle does  not have to be  in 
PARK  (P) to  close  the door. 
If the override  feature is not  enabled  and the power 
sliding  door is open  or in the process  of closing when 
you shift  out of PARK  (P), a buzzer will sound.  This is a 
warning that the sliding  door is not completely  closed. 
To  open  or  close  the sliding  door, press and  release one 
of the two power door switches. 
One 
is mounted  on  the  wall,  just in front of the 
passenger’s  side  sliding  door.  The other switch 
is located 
in  the  overhead  console  switchbank. 
If you  shift  the  transaxle  out  of PARK (P) and 
accelerate  before  the  power  sliding  door  latches 
closed,  the  door  may  reverse  to  the  open  position. 
A child  or  others  could  fall  out of the vehicle  and 
be  injured.  Always make  sure  the  power  sliding 
door 
is closed  and  latched  before  you drive  away. 
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Resetting  the Power Sliding Door 
The power  sliding  door  may operate  incorrectly  or  not  at 
all because  of the  following  conditions: 
A low  voltage  or  dead battery, 
Disconnecting  the battery  or 
If the IGN 1, B/U LAMP,  RADIO  or  PWR 
SEATPSD  fuse  is removed  or blown. 
See  “Fuse Panel” in the Index  for more  information 
about  your fuse  panel. 
If  any  of these  conditions  occur, the power  sliding door 
will  need  to be  reset. 
To do  this,  follow  the directions 
listed  here.  It will  be  easier  if you read  through them 
once  before  beginning  this  procedure. 
1.  Check  to be  sure  the  power sliding  door  is  unlocked 
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. 
and securely  closed. 
3. Enable  the  power sliding  door  override  feature. 
4. Remove the RADIO fuse  from  the  underhood fuse 
and relay  center.  Leave  it  out  for 
30 seconds. 
5. Reinstall the  fuse and wait 10 seconds. 
6. Disable the power sliding door  override  feature. 
7. Push either  of the  power door buttons  to open the 
power  sliding door. 
8. Wait  five seconds  and close  the door  by pushing 
9. Wait  five  seconds  and repeat  Steps 7 and 8. 
either  power door button. 
If  the door does not rest  in the fully open position after 
repeating  Step 
7, repeat  Steps 7 and 8 again. If the 
door still does not  operate correctly,  see your retailer 
for  service. 
Sliding Door Security Lock 
Your  vehicle  is equipped with  a  sliding door security 
lock that  helps prevent young children  or  other 
passengers  from  opening the sliding door  by using the 
inside  door handle.  This  lock  is on both doors if your 
vehicle  has the dual  sliding  doors. 
If  you  have the  optional power  sliding door,  you can 
override  the security lock  by pressing  either power door 
switch  when the power sliding door  override  feature is 
disabled.  See  “Power Sliding Door” earlier  in 
the  section. 
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Theft Parking  at  Night 
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. 
Although your vehicle  has a number  of theft-deterrent 
features, we know that nothing  we put  on it can make it 
impossible to steal. However, there  are ways  you 
can help. 
Key in the Ignition 
If you  leave  your vehicle with the keys inside,  it’s an 
easy target for  joy riders  or professional thieves 
-- so 
don’t  do  it. 
When  you park your Oldsmobile and open the driver’s 
door, you’ll hear a chime reminding  you to remove your 
key from the ignition and take  it with  you. Always  do 
this.  Your  steering wheel will be locked, and so will 
your ignition and transaxle.  And remember 
to lock 
the  doors.  Park 
in a lighted spot, 
close all windows and lock your 
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables  out of sight. 
Put them  in a storage  area, or take them  with you. 
Parking  Lots 
If you park  in a lot where someone will  be watching 
your  vehicle,  it’s best to lock it 
up and take your  key. 
But what 
if you  have to  leave your key? What if  you 
have  to  leave  something valuable in your vehicle? 
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your 
glove box. 
Lock all the doors except the driver’s. 
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Content  Theft-Deterrent  (Option) 
11 your vehicle  has  this  option,  it  has  a  theft-deterrent 
alarm  system. 
A  light  located on top  of your  instrument  panel (near  the 
center  of the vehicle, 
next to the windshield) will flash 
slowly  to  let you know that the system has  been armed. 
While  armed,  the doors  will  not  unlock with the power 
lock  switch.  Once armed, 
the alarm will go off  if 
someone tries to 
enter  the vehicle  (without using the remote  lock  control 
transmitter or 
a key),  breaks  a window, tries to damage 
the vehicle  or turns  the ignition  on.  The horn will sound 
and your vehicle’s parking  lamps will  flash  for up to two 
minutes.  The system will  also  cut off the fuel supply, 
preventing the vehicle from being  driven. 
When  the alarm  is armed, the  liftgate may be opened 
with  the remote  lock control transmitter  or with  a key. 
Arming  with  the  Power  Lock  Switch 
Your  alarm system will arm when you use either power 
lock  switch to lock  the  doors while any door  or  the 
liftgate  is open and the key is removed from the ignition 
(if  you would  like to turn  off  power lock switch arming, 
see  “Locks and  Lighting Choices” 
in the Index). 
The  security light  flashes quickly to  let you know when 
the  system is ready 
to arm with  the power door lock 
switches.  The  security light will  stop  flashing and stay 
on,  when 
you press the rear of the power lock  switch,  to 
let  you  know the system is arming. After all  doors and 
the  liftgate  are  closed and locked, the security light will 
begin  flashing  at 
a very slow rate to let you know the 
system  is armed. 
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