warning Oldsmobile Silhouette 2001 Owner's Manuals

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
Automatic Transaxle
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Exterior and Interior LampsMirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (Option)
Accessory Power Outlets
OnStar® System (If Equipped)
HomeLink® Transmitter (Option)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)
Rear Parking Assist (Option) Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road
iii
Section
3
Section
4
Section
5
Your Driving and the Road Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

viii
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important for
you and your
passengers
whenever your
vehicle is driven:
CHILD
RESTRAINT
TOP STRAP
ANCHOR
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-5 Keys
2
-7 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-16 Multifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choices
2
-26 Dual Sliding Doors
2
-28 Power Sliding Door (Option)
2
-35 Liftgate
2
-36 Theft
2
-37 Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
2
-40 PASS-Key
III
2
-42 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-42 Ignition Positions
2
-44 Starting Your Engine
2
-45 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-47 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-51 Parking Brake
2
-52 Shifting Into PARK (P)2
-54 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-55 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-55 Engine Exhaust
2
-56 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-57 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-64 Exterior Lamps
2
-67 Interior Lamps
2
-72 Storage Compartments
2
-85 Accessory Inflator System (Option)
2
-87 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-88 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-91 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-94 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-99 Warning Lights, Gages, Messages
and Indicators
2
-108 Message Center
2
-115 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)
2
-118 Rear Parking Assist (Option)

2-30
To open or close the sliding door(s), press and release
one of the following power door switches.
This switch(es) is located in the overhead
console switchbank.
This switch is mounted
on the wall, in front of the
driver's or the passenger's
side sliding door.
The power sliding door override switch(es) will also
stop the door(s) immediately, while the door(s) is
opening or closing, when the override switch(es) is
turned on.
The power sliding door(s) will only open if the transaxle
is in PARK (P). The transaxle does not have to be in
PARK (P) to close the door(s).
If the power sliding door(s) is open or in the process of
closing when you shift out of PARK (P), a buzzer will
sound. This is a warning that the sliding door(s) is not
completely closed.
If the power to the sliding door(s) is turned off, the
buzzer will not sound indicating the door(s) is not
completely closed.

2-36
To close the liftgate, pull down on the handle, then
firmly shut the liftgate. Don't drive with the liftgate
open, even slightly. See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
A message in your message center will warn you if the
liftgate is not completely closed. See ªRear Hatch Ajar
Warning Messageº in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. Also remember to lock the doors.

2-43
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push
-start your vehicle. A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver's door when the ignition is off
and the key is in the ignition.RUN (D): This is the position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running,
you can use RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and RUN
are positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories, such as the radio.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, the power windows, the power rear quarter
windows (if equipped), audio system and the optional
electronic level control (ELC) will continue to work up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF
and none of the doors are opened.

2-51
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located
on the driver's side, under
the instrument panel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. See ªBrake System Warning Lightº
in the Index.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push
down on the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
(To release the tension on the parking brake cable,
you will need to apply about the same amount of
pressure to the parking brake pedal as you did when
you set the parking brake.) When you remove your
foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop up to the
released position.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-65
Turning the control to this setting turns on the
following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turning the control to this setting turns on the
headlamps, together with the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turning the control to this setting turns off all the
lamps and lights.
Lamps on Reminder
If the driver's door is opened and you turn the ignition
to OFF or LOCK while leaving the lamps on, you will
hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes
the DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered. The DRL
system will make your front parking and turn signal
lamps come on in daylight when the following
conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp control is off, and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your front parking and
turn signal lamps will be on. Your instrument panel
won't be lit up.
When it's dark enough outside, the exterior lamps will
come on automatically. When it's bright enough outside,
the exterior lamps will turn off and the DRL will turn
on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps
any time you need to.