heating 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.

2-49
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35F (2C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed
until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal
condition designed to provide heat to the passenger's
compartment and defrost the windows more quickly.
See ªComfort Controls, Heatingº in the Index for
more information.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer (so there is less shifting
between gears).

When going down a steep hill.

2-103

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.

2-110 Engine Coolant Temperature
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
on, the engine oil level may be too low. There may also
be another problem causing low oil pressure.

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
-3 Air Conditioning with Dual Temperature
Control (Option)
3
-5 Air Conditioning
3
-6 Heating
3
-6 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-7 Rear Window Defogger
3
-7 Rear Climate Control (Vehicles without the
Entertainment System) (Option)
3
-9 Rear Climate Control (Vehicles with the
Entertainment System) (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 Control3
-21 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
Systems (RDS) and Automatic Tone Control
(If Equipped)
3
-32 AM-FM Stereo with Six-Disc Compact Disc
Player with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data Systems (RDS) (If Equipped)
3
-42 Entertainment System (Option)
3
-49 Rear Seat Audio (Vehicles without the
Entertainment System) (If Equipped)
3
-51 Rear Seat Audio (Vehicles with the
Entertainment System) (Option)
3
-53 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-54 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-54 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-55 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-56 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-57 Care of Your Compact Discs and DVDs
3
-57 Care of Your Compact Disc and DVD Player
3
-57 Fixed Mast Antenna

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.

3-3
(Defog): This setting directs air to the windshield
and through the floor ducts. This mode is particularly
useful during cold or inclement weather because of your
vehicle's larger windshield area.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air to the
windshield and side window vents.
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 with Dual Temperature
Control (Option)
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.

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.

3-6 Heating
Move the temperature control toward the red area to
warm the air.
In the floor mode, outside air will be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
The bi
-level setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results, move the temperature control to the
middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35
F (2
C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed
until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal
condition designed to provide heat to the passenger
compartment and defrost the windows more quickly.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use
it during cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) or lower, your
heating system will provide heat more quickly because
the engine coolant is already warmed. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, move the temperature
control to the red area and turn the mode knob to
defrost. Adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air
through the floor ducts, turn the mode knob to defog.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the bi
-level setting and adjust the fan to the highest
speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument panel
toward the side windows. For increased airflow to the
side vents, close the center vents.
Operating the 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.
For additional information, refer to ªRecirculationº
earlier in this section.

4-11
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System (Option)
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may
be reduced to protect AWD system components. If the
vehicle is exposed to extended heavy AWD usage, the
AWD system will shut itself off to protect the system
from overheating. When the system cools down, the
AWD system will activate itself again automatically;
this cool
-down can take up to 20 minutes depending on
outside temperature and vehicle use. See ªAWD Disable
Warning Messageº in the Index.
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.