service Oldsmobile Silhouette 2001 s Owner's Guide

3-19
FWD (4): Press and hold this button to advance quickly
within a track. Press and hold this button for less than
two seconds to advance at six times the normal playing
speed. Press and hold it for more than two seconds to
advance at 17 times the normal playing speed. Release it
to play the passage. The display will show ET and the
elapsed time.
CD (5): With a compact disc in the player and the
radio playing, press this button to play a compact disc.
Press AM FM to return to the radio when a compact disc
is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely inside the
radio for future listening.
RDM (6): Press this button to hear the tracks in random,
rather than sequential, order. RDM ON will appear on
the display. RDM T and the track number will appear on
the display when each track starts to play. Press RDM
again to turn off random play. RDM OFF will appear
on the display.
SEEK: Press the SEEK (left arrow) button to go to the
start of the current or previous track. Press the SEEK
(right arrow) button to go to the start of the next track.
If either of the SEEK buttons is held or pressed more
then once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the CD.DISP: Press this button to see how long the current track
has been playing. ET and the elapsed time will appear on
the display. To change what is normally shown on the
display (track or elapsed time), press the button until
you see the display you want, then hold the button for
two seconds. The radio will produce one beep.
AM FM: Press this button to play the radio when a
disc is in the player. The disc will stop but remain in
the player.
CD AUX: With a compact disc in the player and the
radio playing, press this button to play a compact disc.
Press AM FM to return to the radio when a compact disc
is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely inside the
radio for future listening.
EJT: Press this button to remove the disc. The radio
will play. EJT may be activated with either the ignition
or radio off. CDs may be loaded with the radio and
ignition off if this button is pressed first.
CAL ERR: This message is displayed when the
radio has not been calibrated properly for the vehicle.
You must return to the dealership for service.
LOCKED: This message is displayed when the
THEFTLOCK

system has locked up. You must
return to the dealership for service.

3-30
DISP: Press this button to see how long the current track
has been playing. ET and the elapsed time will appear on
the display. To change what is normally shown on the
display (track or elapsed time), press the button until
you see the display you want, then hold the button for
two seconds. The radio will produce one beep.
AM FM: Press this button to play the radio when a
disc is in the player. The disc will stop but remain in
the player.
TAPE CD: With a CD in the player and the radio
playing, press this button to play a CD. Press AM FM
to return to the radio when a CD is playing. Press TAPE
CD to switch between the tape and compact disc if both
are loaded. The inactive tape or CD will remain safely
inside the radio for future listening.
EJT: Press this button located below the CD slot
to remove the disc. The radio will play. EJT may be
activated with either the ignition or radio off.
CDs may be loaded with the radio and ignition off
if this button is pressed first.
CAL ERR: This message is displayed when the
radio has not been calibrated properly for the vehicle.
You must return to the dealership for service.
LOCKED: This message is displayed when the
THEFTLOCK

system has locked up. You must
return to the dealership for service.
AM-FM Stereo with 6-Disc Compact Disc
Player with Programmable Equalization
and Radio Data System (RDS) (Option)
Playing the Radio
VOLUME PWR: Press this knob to turn the system
on and off. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise.
Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.

3-46
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Integrated Windshield Antenna
The antenna in your vehicle is a very thin, metal layer
in the windshield. If you look near the edges of the
windshield, you can see the outline of the antenna.
The connector is at the top of the windshield, where
the headliner ends.
If you experience difficulty with remote transmitters,
such as a garage door opener, try pointing the device
through the very top of the windshield.

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.

4-22
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a
day's work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and
shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?

Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?

Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?

Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?

Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?

Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?

Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?

4-23
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.

4-31 Electronic Level Control (Option)
On vehicles equipped with the optional electronic level
control, the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept
level as you load or unload your vehicle. However,
you should still not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR.
If the engine is running or the ignition key is in
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active, you may hear the compressor operating when
you load or unload your vehicle, and periodically as the
system self
-adjusts. This is normal. See ªRetained
Accessory Powerº in the Index.
The compressor should operate for brief periods of time.
If the sound continues for an extended period of time,
your vehicle needs service.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the brakes may not work well
-- or even at all.
You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.

4-39 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you're trailering,
it's a good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.

5-7
9. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) terminal.
Don't let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (
-) cable
doesn't go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle
with the dead battery.
10. Attach the cable at least
18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery,
but not near engine
parts that move.
The electrical connection is just as good there,
but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery
is much less.
11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and
run the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.

5-9
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº and ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in
the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle's instrument panel cluster. See ªEngine
Coolant Temperature Gageº in the Index. You also have
an engine coolant temperature warning message on your
instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Messageº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate an
overheat condition exists. Towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
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 ªEngine Oilº in the Index.