lights OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 User Guide

Instrument Panel Cluster
LOW Tk TRACTION
SERVICE ENGINE SOON /
1
Your cluster includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the following pages.
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Tachometer
‘ -3
*2 I-;1
R
-0 77
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
I NOTICE: I
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area, or engine damage may occur.
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.
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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 RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
70 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 a deployed air bag. 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 sensors, the air bag
module, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start the
engine or comes
on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
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w.
+H DEFOG: This setting directs air to the windshield
and through the floor ducts. This mode is particularly
useful during cold or inclement weather because of your
vehicle’s larger windshield area.
the windshield and side window vents.
DEFROST This setting directs most of the air to
Mode Buttons
RECIRC: Press this button (the light will glow)
to limit the amount of fresh air entering your vehicle by
recirculating much of the air inside your vehicle.
You
may use this setting to limit odors entering your vehicle.
Press the OUTSIDE AIR button (the light on the
RECIRC button will go off) to let outside air circulate
into the vehicle.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button (the light will
glow) to send outside air into your vehicle. Using this
setting while trying to defrost or defog the windows will
help clear the vents
of moisture. Press the RECIRC
button (the light on the OUTSIDE AIR button will go
off> to limit outside air entering the vehicle. When the
DEFOG or DEFROST setting
is selected, the system
will automatically go to
OUTSIDE AIR mode.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows long
enough to let hot, inside air escape. For all settings,
adjust the temperature control
knob and fan speed
as desired.
To get maximum cooling or a quick cool-down on very
hot days, press the A/C and RECIRC buttons (the lights
will glow) and turn the temperature knob to the left
(toward the blue area). Adjust the mode knob to direct
the air to the desired location. This setting should not be
used for long periods of time because the air may
become too cold and dry. Push the
A/C button again (the
light will go off) to turn off the air conditioning.
When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air,
so
you may sometimes notice water dripping from under
your vehicle’s engine compartment when
it is idling or
after it has been turned off. This is normal.
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Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to
see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re
driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut
down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot
of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two,
or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you
are faced with severe glare (as from
a driver who
doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps. Keep your windshield and all
the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on
the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils
of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are
in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren’t even aware of it.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 lunb whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL extended life coolant.
J
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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Jack. Tire .................................... 5-27
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-30
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels CertificationRire
............................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Delayed Illumination
.......................... 2-62
Dome
...................................... 2- 63
Exit Lighting
................................ 2-62
Exterior
.................................... 2-59
Fog
........................................ 2-60
Illuminated Entry
............................. 2-6 1
Interior
..................................... 2- 61
OnReminder ................................ 2-59
Rearcargo
.................................. 2-63
Underhood
.................................. 6-11
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-36
Liftgate
....................................... 2- 20
Lirrhter ....................................... 2-77
Lamps
Lights
Air Baa Readiness ....................... 1.40. 2.87
Anti-LGck Brake System Warning
............ 2.89. 4.7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2.88. 6.28
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-88 DoorAjar
................................... 2-97
Engine Temperature Warning
................... 2-92
Interior
..................................... 2-61
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.93, 6.23
Low Fuel Warning
............................ 2-98
Low Oil Level
.......................... 2.96. 6. 11
Low Traction
............................ 2.91. 4.9
Oil Pressure
................................. 2-96
Power Sliding Door
........................... 2-97
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1-25, 2.87
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-93
Traction Control System Warning
........... 2-90. 4-10
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-30
Automatic Door
............................... 2-6
Cylinders
................................... 7-30
Door
........................................ 2.4
Ignition Transaxle Check
....................... 7-32
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-30
Last Door Closed Locking
....................... 2-6
Lockout Deterrent
............................. 2-7
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Sliding Door
................................. 2-14
Sliding Door Child Security
..................... 2-19
Sliding Door Delayed Locking
................... 2-7
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-40
Loss of Control
................................ 4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-93, 6-23
Low Fuel Warning Light
......................... 2-98
Low Oil Level Light
....................... 2-96, 6-11
Low Traction Light
......................... 2-91, 4-9
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-34
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-30
Locks
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Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-6
Damage Warnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions ................................. 6-65
Identification Number
......................... 6-55
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Storage
..................................... 6-30
Ventilation System
............................... 3-8
Ventilation Tips
................................. 3-9
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-78
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-78
warning Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators
............... 2-86
Washer Fluid. Windshield
........................ 6-26
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-5 1
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-50
Wheel
Alignment .................................. 6-45
NutTorque
............................. 5-32. 6-64
Replacement
................................. 6-45
Used Replacement
............................ 6-46
Wrench
..................................... 5-27 Windows
..................................... 2-50
Power
...................................... 2-50
Power Rear Quarter
........................... 2-51
Side Latches ................................. 2-51
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-54
Fluid
.................................. 2-54. 6-26
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-29
Rear
....................................... 2-55
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-54
Rear
....................................... 2-55
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-38
Fuses
...................................... 6-56
Winter Driving
................................. 4-26
Wiring. Headlamp
.............................. 6-56
Wrench. Wheel
................................. 5-27
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