heating OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1998 Owners Manual

NOTICE:
Be sure there are no overhead obstructions, such
as a garage door, before you open the liftgate.
You could slam the liftgate into something and
break the glass.
To close the liftgate, pull down on the handle, then
firmly shut the liftgate. Don’t drive with the liftgate
open, even slightly. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
A light on your instrument panel will warn you if the
liftgate
is not completely closed (see “Door Ajar
Warning Light” in the Index).
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the liftgate:
0 Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed
with the setting
on bi-level (outside air button is pressed).
That will force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way.
See ‘(Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
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After removing the tie-downs or other equipment, be
sure to reinstall the piece
of bumper strip that was cut.
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray and cigarette lighter are located in the
middle section of the instrument panel, below
the
switchbank. Pull out the drawer to use the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray for cleaning, grasp the edge of
the ashtray with your fingertips and pull up and out, in a
rocking motion.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready,
it will pop back by itself.
I I
I NOTICE: I
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
~ while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
’ back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States
~~
Canadian
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your
engine
is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual
shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
b This light will come on
when your engine gets
too
hot.
v
If this light comes on, it means that your engine coolant
has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull
off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon
as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what
to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systc-;
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-8
3-9 3-10
3- 14 Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning
Heating
Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger
Rear Climate Control (If Equipped)
Ventilation System
Setting the Clock for All Systems
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control
(If Equipped) 3-18
3 -20
3-21
3 -24
3 -25
3 -25
3-26
3-27
3 -27
3-27 Rear Seat
Audio
(If Equipped)
Remote Compact Disc Player (If Equipped)
Theft-Deterrent Feature Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
Integrated Windshield Antenna
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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 vehicle. 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 to the right to increase fan
speed and to the left 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 to the left (toward
the blue area) for cooler air. Turn it to the right (toward
the red area) for warmer air.
Mode Knob
This knob selects the direction of where the air will
enter the vehicle.
/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.
+d LOWER: This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. This setting is also used to send
air to the rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the
front seats free
of objects that could obstruct airflow to
the rear
of the vehicle.
+0
+e
0
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Heating
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.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
control knob all the way to the right (to the red area) and
turn the mode
knob to DEFROST.
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 O 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. 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.
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Safety Chains
Driving with a Trailer
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
I
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 Ibs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try
to tap into
your vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or
at all.
0
0
0
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.) To
maximize your safety when towing
a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system
on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
RECIRC because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls’’ in the Index.)
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Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
If
you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs. (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in
THIRD
(3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear). This will minimize
heat build-up and extend the life of your transaxle.
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Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-7
5- 13
5-24 Hazard Warning
Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating If a Tire Goes Flat
5-24 Air Inflator (Option)
5-24 Changing a Flat Tire
5-34 Compact Spare Tire
5-35 If You’re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage” in the Index. You also have a low
coolant level light on your instrument panel. See “LOW
Coolant Light” in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of three cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a significant loss in power and
engine performance. The
low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
1 NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil. See
“Engine Oil, When to Change” in the Index.
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