cooling Oldsmobile Silhouette 2002 Owner's Manuals

2-35
Liftgate
To unlock the liftgate from the outside, turn the key in
the cylinder clockwise or use the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter. To lock the liftgate using the
key, turn the key counterclockwise.
Open the liftgate using the handle above the license
plate. Once slightly opened, the liftgate will rise by
itself. Lamps in the rear of the vehicle will come on,
illuminating the rear cargo area. See ªInterior Lampsº
in the Index.
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.
CAUTION:
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:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on vent and the outside air button pressed.
That will force outside air into your vehicle.
See ªComfort Controlsº
in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With this system, 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.
Air Conditioning with Temperature Control
Fan Knob
The left knob is the fan knob and is used to select the force of
air you want. Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed
and counterclockwise 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 the knob clockwise
toward the red area for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob is used to select the direction of the air
flowing into the vehicle.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the front instrument panel outlets,
while warmer air is directed through the floor ducts.
(Floor): 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.

3-5
Mode Buttons
(Outside Air): Press this button to send outside
air into your vehicle. The light in the button will glow
when outside air is in use. Using this setting while trying
to defrost or defog the windows will help clear the vents
of moisture. While floor, defog or defrost mode is
selected, the system will automatically go to outside air
mode.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. The light in
the button will glow when recirculation is in use. You
may use this setting to limit odors entering your vehicle.
Operating the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
(HVAC) system in the recirculation mode may cause
fogging of the vehicle's windows when the weather is
cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the HVAC
system to either the defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed. To avoid re
-fogging of the windows,
operate the HVAC system in the outside air mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn
the air conditioning compressor on and off. The light in
the button will glow when the air conditioning is in use.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows
long enough to let hot, inside air escape. For all
settings, adjust the temperature control knob and fan
speed as desired.
To get maximum cooling or a quick cool
-down on very
hot days, press the A/C and recirculation buttons and
move the temperature control toward the blue area.
Adjust the mode knob to direct the air to the desired
location. This setting should not be used for long
periods of time because the air may become too cold
and dry. Push the A/C button again to turn off the
air conditioning.
When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air, so
you may sometimes notice water dripping from under
your vehicle's engine compartment when it is idling or
after it has been turned off. This is normal.

4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you
go down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

4-38 Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting 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. Never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (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.
Driving with a Trailer
CAUTION:
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 ªEngine Exhaustº 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
recirculation because it only recirculates
the air inside your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.

4-42 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-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-9 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-20 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-21 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-36 Compact Spare Tire
5
-38 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.

5-13
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn't, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running. If
the engine is overheating, both fans should be running.
If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index.

5-14
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn't at or above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX
-COOL

engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index for more information.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.