wheel Oldsmobile Silhouette 2001 s Owner's Guide

2-95
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

2-109
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.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
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 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Air Conditioning with Temperature Control
3
-5 Air Conditioning with Dual Temperature
Control (Option)
3
-9 Rear Window Defogger
3
-9 Rear Climate Control (Option)
3
-11 Ventilation System
3
-12 Audio Systems
3
-12 Setting the Clock
3
-13 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Radio Data Systems (RDS) and
Automatic Tone Control
3
-20 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
Systems (RDS) and Automatic Tone
Control (If Equipped)3
-30 AM-FM Stereo with 6-Disc Compact Disc
Player with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data Systems (RDS) (Option)
3
-41 Rear Seat Audio (Option)
3
-42 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-43 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-44 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-44 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-45 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-46 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-46 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-46 Integrated Windshield Antenna

3-11
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 ªAdjusting Rear Seatsº in the Index).
The vent behind the left rear seat is the cold air return
vent. Be sure to keep it free of obstructions.
Keep the area around the base of the center instrument
panel console, between and under the front seats, free of
objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear.
Ventilation System
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 change the direction of
the airflow. 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 thumbwheel next to each outlet all the way
down. You can also stop outside air from entering the
vehicle by turning the fan to OFF and pushing the
RECIRCULATION button.

3-43 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to a higher radio
station and the down arrow to tune to a lower radio
station. The sound will mute while seeking. When
playing a cassette tape or compact disc, press SEEK
to hear the next selection.
AM/FM: Press this button to choose AM or FM.
PRESET: Press this button to play a station you
have programmed on the radio preset buttons.
VOL: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a loaded cassette tape
or compact disc when the radio is playing.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system.
Press it again to turn on the sound. This button may
be used when listening to the radio, a cassette tape or
a compact disc.

4-8
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet.
You're driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each wheel.The anti
-lock system can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (Option)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on
when the traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
See ªTRACTION ACTIVE Messageº in the Index.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.

4-10
United States Canada
If this message comes on and stays on or comes on
while you are driving, there's a problem with your
traction control system.
See ªService Traction System Warning Messageº in
the Index. When this warning message is on, the
TRAC OFF light will come on to remind you that
the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. See ªRocking Your Vehicleº in the Index.
To turn the system off,
press the TCS button on the
center console switchbank.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press
the button, the message will go off, but the system
will not turn off until there is no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin. The TRAC OFF light will come on
to remind you the system is off. You can turn the
system back on at any time by pressing the button
again. The traction control system warning message
should go off.

4-11
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed.
While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems
-- steering and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust
your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on
good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable
conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through
the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.

4-12 Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly
pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right in front of you.
You can avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can
stop in time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room.
That's the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes. See ªBraking in
Emergenciesº earlier in this section. It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left
or right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.