warning Oldsmobile Silhouette 2001 s User Guide

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The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Vents
B. Front Vents
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
E. Instrument Panel Cluster
F. Center Vents
G. Audio System
H. Side Vents
I. Exterior Lamp Control
J. Hood Release
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
L. HornM. Ignition Switch
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (Option)
O. Climate Controls
P. Rear Fan Controls (Option)
Q. Cupholder Tray
R. Accessory Power Outlet
S. Storage Bin
T. Instrument Panel Switchbank
U. Glove Box
V. Front Vents
W. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

2-96 Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
The indicator warning lights and gages are explained on the following pages.
United States version shown, Canada similar

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Warning Lights, Gages, Messages
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.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.
Your vehicle also has a message center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See ªMessage
Centerº in the Index.
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.

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Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN.If it doesn't come on, then have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. See ªAnti
-Lock
Brake System Warning Lightº and ªTowing Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.

2-102 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
The anti-lock brake
system warning light
should come on for a
few seconds when you
turn the ignition key
to RUN.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you've started your engine,
turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and
stays on when you're driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while you're driving, the anti
-lock brake system
needs service and you don't have anti
-lock brakes.
The brake pedal may be harder to push, or it may
go to the floor. It may take longer to stop. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly 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.
Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
United States Canada
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the TCS
button located in the center console switchbank the
warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. See ªTraction Control Systemº
in the Index for more information.

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If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light
will come on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

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Fuel Gage
United States Canada
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
If your fuel is low, the warning message in the message
center will come on. See ªLow Fuel Warning Messageº
later in this section.Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.
Here are four things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

It takes a little more (or less) fuel to fill up than the
gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full,
but it took more (or less) than half of the tank's
capacity to fill it.

The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.

The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.

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Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument
panel cluster. It gives you important safety and
maintenance facts.
Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message center
when you turn on the
ignition as a check to
show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate
that you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Service Traction System Warning
Message (Option)
United States Canada
If your vehicle has the traction control system and this
message is displayed when you're driving, there may
be a problem with your traction control system.
Your vehicle may need service.

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When this message is displayed, the traction control
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The message may appear for the following reasons:

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning message will come on.
If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning message will
come on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning message will come on.
If the traction control system warning message comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Traction Active Message (Option)
United States Canada
If your vehicle has the traction control system, the
TRACTION ACTIVE message will appear when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The message will stay on for a few seconds after
the traction control system stops limiting wheel spin.

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Warning Message
United States Canada
This message will come on when your engine gets
too hot.
If this message 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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Low Oil Pressure Message
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a low oil pressure
warning message.
Your oil pressure message lets you know when you may
have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also be
another problem causing low oil pressure.