1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owners Manual

3. Press and hold SEEK A until the

correct minute appears on the display.

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Comfort Controli &Audio Systems

2. Press and hold SCAN until the

correct hour appears on the display.

3. Press and hold 4 SEEK or SEEK b

until the correct minute appears on the display.

bc 1.

)r radios with SEEK and SCAN Ittons: With the radio on or off, press SET. The SET indicator will appear on the digital display for five seconds. You must begin to set the clock to the correct hour and minute during those five seconds. Press and hold SEEK until the correct hour appears on the display. Press and hold SCAN until the correct minute appears on the display.

2.

3.

For radios with 4 SEEK b and SCAN: 1. With the radio on or off, press SET.

The SET indicator will appear on the digital display for five seconds. You must begin to set the clock to the correct hour and minute during those five seconds.

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2 RECALL - - TUNE --@ FAOE

BASS

V SEEK A

SET

II I II I II I

5 AM-FM

I II I II I II

4MIFM Sfereo Radio The digital display indicates information on time or radio station frequency, the AM or FM radio band, whether the station is in stereo, and other radio €unctions. Upper Knob (VOL): This knob does Four things:

Turn it to turn the system on and off (your ignition must be on). Turn it to control the volume. When the radio is on, press it to recall the station frequency to the digital display screen.

When the ignition is off, press it to display the clock.

BAL (Balance): The control ring behind the upper knob adjusts the lefthight speaker balance. Lower Knob (TUNE): This knob does two things:

Turn it to tune in radio stations. Press it to change between the AM and FM bands (the digital screen will momentarily display AM or FM, and indicate if the station is in stereo). FADE: The control ring behind the lower h o b adjusts the fronthear speaker balance.

V SEEK A : Press to seek and stop on the next station higher or lower on the radio band. You can also use the SEEK buttons to scan radio stations up or down the AM or FM bands. To scan stations up the band, press and hold SEEK A, then press SEEK, then release both buttons. The radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. It will continue to scan until you press either SEEK button. To scan stations down the band, press and hold TSEEK, then press SEEKA, then release both buttons. The radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. It will continue to scan until you press either SEEK button. TREBLE: Slide this lever up to increase treble, or down to decrease it. If a station is weak or noisy, reduce the treble. BASS: Slide this lever up to increase bass, or down to decrease it.

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Comfort Controls &Audio Systems

To Preset Radio Stations: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET. The word SET will

appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

3. While SET is displayed, press one of

the four pushbuttons.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of four AM

and four FM stations.

Up to three additional stations on each band may be preset by “pairing” pushbuttons: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET, and within five seconds press any two adjacent pushbuttons at the same time.

3. The station can be tuned in when the same two pushbuttons are pressed at the same time.

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- -

AUTO REVERSE

VOL*

BAL

TREBLE

I=

BASS d

= PROG-RCL TUNE +> FADE

2 AM-FM

1MIFM Stereo with Cassette ,layer The digital display indicates information )n time or radio station frequency, the iM or FM radio band, whether the ‘tation is in stereo, and other radio unctions. Jpper Knob (VOL): This knob does ive things: Turn it to turn the system on and off (your ignition must be on). b Turn it to control the volume. When the radio is on, press it to recall the station frequency to the digital display screen.

When the ignition is off, press it to display the clock. When a tape is playing, press it to hear the other side of the tape. BAL (Balance): The control ring behind the upper knob adjusts the left/right speaker balance. Lower Knob (TUNE): This knob does two things:

Turn it to tune in radio stations. Press it to change between the AM and FM bands (the digital screen will momentarily display AM or FM, and indicate if the station is in stereo).

FADE: The control ring behind the lower knob adjusts the fronthear speaker balance. TREBLE: Slide this lever up to increase treble, or down to decrease it. If a station is weak or noisy, reduce the treble. BASS: Slide this lever up to increase bass, or down to decrease it. VSEEKA : Press to seek and stop on the next station higher or lower on the radio band. You can also use the SEEK buttons to scan radio stations up or down the AM or FM bands. To scan stations up the band, press and hold SEEKA, then press VSEEK, then release both buttons. The radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. It will continue to scan until you press either SEEK button. To scan stations down the band, press and hold V SEEK, then press SEEK A, then release both buttons. The radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. It will continue to scan until you press either SEEK button.

To Preset Radio Stations: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET. The word SET will

appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

3. While SET is displayed, press one of

the four pushbuttons.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of four AM

and four FM stations.

Up to three additional stations on each band may be preset by “pairing” pushbuttons: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET, and within five seconds press any two adjacent pushbuttons at the same time.

3. The station can be tuned in when the

same two pushbuttons are pressed at the same time.

the cassette are playing. When the left arrow is lit, selections listed on the top side of the cassette are playing. To change sides of the tape while the cassette is playing, press the upper knob. When the end of a tape is reached, the other side will then play. Fast Forward Press the button with the arrow pointing in the same direction that the tape is playing. To stop fast forward, lightly press the STOP-EJECT button. Reverse: Press the button with the arrow pointing in the opposite direction that the tape is playing. To stop reverse, lightly press the STOP-EJECT button. STOP-EJECT: To stop playing a tape, fully press this button (the cassette will be partially ejected, and the radio will begin playing).

To Play a Cassette Tape: With the power switch on, insert a tape into the cassette door. Do not use tapes that are longer than 45 minutes on each side. When the right indicator arrow is lit, selections listed on the bottom side of

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Comfort Controls &Audio Systems

Fade: Turn the control ring behind the lower knob slightly to the left or right to adjust the fronthear speaker balance. 4SEEKb: Press to seek and stop on the next station higher or lower on the radio band. SCAN: When you press SCAN, the radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. SCAN will display on the digital screen. Press SCAN again to stop on a station. RCL (Recall): When the ignition is off, press to display the clock. When the radio is on, press to change between the clock and radio station frequency displayed on the digital screen. BASS: Adjusts the bass level up or down. The bottom of the digital screen will display the level you have selected. For a normal listening level preset at the factory, press the center of the switch. TREB (Treble): Adjusts the treble level up or down. The bottom of the digital screen will display the level you have selected. For a normal listening level preset at the factory, press the center of the switch.

AMIFM Stereo with Cassette Pkyer with Dolby@ The digital display indicates information on time or radio station frequency, the AM or FM radio band, whether the station is in stereo, and other radio functions. PWR (Power): Press to turn the unit on and off when the ignition is on. Upper Knob (V0L):This knob does two things:

Turn it slightly to the left or right to control the volume. Press it to mute the radio or tape player. Press again to listen.

Balance: Turn the control ring behind the upper knob slightly to the left or right to adjust the lefthight speaker balance. Lower Knob (TUNE): This knob does two things:

Turn it slightly to the left or right to tune in radio stations. If you hold it to the left or right, it will tune rapidly. You can also turn it one stop at a time to fine-tune a specific frequency. Press it to change between the AM and FM bands. The band you select will appear momentarily on the digital display.

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The five pushbuttons under the cassette entry door can be used to preset up to 10 radio stations (five AM and five FM stations). The buttons have other uses when you are playing a tape (see To Play a Cassette Tape later in this section). To Preset Radio Stations: 1. Tune in the digital display to the

station you want.

2. Press SET. The SET indicator will appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

3. While the SET indicator is displayed,

press one of the five pushbuttons.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of five AM

and five FM stations.

To Play a Cassette Tape: Press PWR to turn the radio on. The radio will play until a cassette is pushed into the cassette entry door (the tape side goes in first). Do not use tapes that are longer than 90 minutes (45 minutes on each side).

This audio system has automatic 00 DOLBY B NR@ to reduce background noise on Dolby encoded tapes. Dolby@ Noise Reduction is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby@ and the 00 symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. PROG (Program): Press to change the side of tape being played. When the end of a tape is reached, the other side will then play. Cr02: This button sets tape bias. When playing high bias chrome or metal tapes, press the button to turn the CrO, display on. When playing standard tapes, press again to turn the display Off. REV (Reverse): Press to reverse the tape rapidly; lightly press again or lightly press PROG to play the tape. (The radio plays while a tape is rewinding.)

FWD (Fast Forward): Press to advance the tape rapidly; lightly press again or lightly press PROG to play a tape. (The radio plays while a tape is advancing.) PREV (Previous): Press PREV to repeat a passage. The tape will back up and stop at the first four-second quiet spot in the tape, or when you press PREV again or PROG. NEXT: Press to go to the next selection on the tape. The tape will stop at the first four-second quiet spot in the tape, or if you press NEXT again or PROG. ST-PL (Stop-Play): Press to switch from the tape to the radio. Press again to resume playing the tape. EJECT: Press to eject the cassette tape (the radio will then play). Tapes can be ejected when the ignition is off.

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Comfort Controls di Audio Systems

BAL (Balance): Adjusts the left/right and fronthear speaker balance to your individual taste. When you change either adjustment, the bottom of the digital screen will display the point of balance you have selected. For the normal setting preset at the factory, press the left and right or front and rear buttons at the same time. Radio Controls AM/FM: Press to select either the AM or FM radio band. The band you select will be displayed on the digital screen. The frequency of the station will be displayed, and if the station is in stereo, the ST (Stereo) indicator will also be displayed. Your radio has AMAX. With an AMAX- certified receiver, your radio can produce quality AM sound comparable to FM stereo. AMAX reduces noise without reducing the high frequencies you need for the best sound. In addition to improved sound quality, AMAX includes more stations on the AM band. You don't have to do anything to your Delco/GM radio because AMAX is automatic.

M/FM Stereo with Compact Disc 'layer 'he digital display indicates information n time or radio station frequency, the ,M or FM radio band, whether the s1 tation is in stereo, and other radio mctions. fl 'OWER: Turns the unit on and off Then the ignition is on. 'OL (Volume): Adjusts the volume up r down, and the bottom of the digital Ereen displays the setting. For a normal SI stening level preset at the factory, li ress the center of the switch.

TUNE: Press the top of the switch to tune in radio stations higher on the AM or FM band. Press the bottom to tune in stations lower on the band. BASS: Adjusts the bass level up or down. The bottom of the digital screen will display the level you have selected. For a normal listening level preset at the factory, press the center of the switch. TREB (Treble): Adjusts the treble level up or down. The bottom of the digital screen will display the level you have selected. For a normal listening level preset at the factory, press the center of the switch.

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SEEK: Press SEEK to tune in and stop on the next station on the AM or FM radio band. SCAN: When you press SCAN, the radio will go to the next station and pause there for a few seconds. SCAN will display on the digital screen. Press SCAN again to stop on a station. RCL (Recall) : When the ignition is off, press to display the clock. When the radio is on, press to change between the clock and the radio station frequency displayed on the digital screen. The five pushbuttons in the lower right corner can be used to preset up to ten radio stations (five AM and five FM stations). These buttons have other uses when you are playing a compact disc (see Compact Disc Controls later in this section). To Preset Radio Stations: 1. Tune the digital display to the station

you want.

2. Press SET. The SET indicator will appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

3. While the SET indicator is displayed,

press one of the five pushbuttons.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of five AM

and five FM stations. Compact Disc Controls Many of the controls for the radio also have functions for the compact disc player, as explained here. To Play a Compact Disc: Don’t use mini-discs that are called singles. They won’t eject. Use only full- size compact discs. 1. Press POWER to turn the radio on. 2. Insert a disc part-way into the slot, with the label side up. The player will pull it in. In a few seconds, the disc should play.

If the disc comes back out:

The disc may be upside down. The disc may be dirty, scratched or wet. There may be too much moisture in the air (wait about one hour and try again). The player may be too hot, or the road may be too rough for the disc to play. If the word HOT appears on the display, the player is too hot. Press

RCL to remove HOT from the display. As soon as things get back to normal, the disc should play. While a disc is playing, the CD indicator is displayed on the digital screen, as is the clock. RCL (Recall): Press once to see which track is playing. Press again within five seconds to see how long your selection has been playing. The track number also will be displayed when the volume is changed or a new track starts to play. PREV (Previous): Press to play a track again. If you hold or keep pressing the PREV button, the disc will keep backing up to previous tracks. NEXT: Press when you want to hear the next track before the track you are listening to has finished. If you hold or keep pressing the NEXT button, the disc will keep advancing to other tracks. REV (Reverse): Press and hold to rapidly back up to a favorite passage. Release to resume playing. FF (Fast Forward): Press and hold to rapidly advance the disc. Release to resume playing.

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Comfort Conboh &Audio Systems

COMP (Compression): Press this button to make soft and loud passages more equal in volume. Press again to resume normal play. When Finished with the Compact Disc Player: If you press POWER or turn off the ignition, the disc will stay in the player and start again when you turn on the ignition or power switch. The disc will begin playing at the point where it had been stopped. ST/PL (Stop/Play): Press to stop the disc player; the radio will play. Press again to play the disc (the player will start playing the disc where it was stopped earlier). EJCT (Eject): Press to eject the disc; the radio will play.

CD Player Anti-Theft Feature Delco LOC 110 is a security feature for the compact disc player. It can be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally. If it is used, your player won’t be usable if it is ever stolen, because it

will go to LOC mode any time battery power is removed. Until an unLOC code is entered, it will not turn on. The instructions below tell you how to enter a secret code into the system. If your vehicle loses battery power for any reason, you must unlock the system with the secret code before the radio will turn on. To Set the Anti-Theft System: 1. Write down any six-digit number and

keep it in a safe place.

2. Turn the ignition to the Accessory or

Run position.

3. Press the POWER button to turn the

radio off.

4. Press the PREV and FF buttons

together. Hold them down until “- - -” shows on the display (at least five seconds). You are ready to enter your secret code.

NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over at step 4.

126

5. Press SET and 000 will appear on

the display.

6. Press and hold SEEK until the first

digit of your code appears.

7. Press and hold SCAN until the

second and third digits of your code appear.

8. Press AM/FM and 000 will appear

again. Now you are ready to enter the last three digits of your code.

9. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the last three

digits of your code.

IO. Press AM/FM and rEP will appear. 11. Repeat steps 6 through 10. This time SEC will appear, indicating that the radio is secure. If “- - -” appears, the steps were not successful and you must repeat the entire procedure.

To Unlock the System After a Power Loss: When battery power is reapplied to a secured radio, the radio won’t turn on and LOC will appear on the display. Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps.

will show the numbers as entered.

4. Press AM/FM. The radio will display

000.

5. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to enter the

second three digits of the code. The display will show the numbers as entered.

6. Press AM/FM. If "- - -" then the time appears, the disabling sequence was successful (the numbers matched the secret code) and the unit is in the UNSECURED mode. If the display shows SEC, the disabling sequence was unsuccessful (the numbers did not match) and the unit will remain in the SECURED mode.

1. Turn the ignition on. (Radio off.) 2. Press the SET button. The display

will show 000.

3. Enter the six digits of the code following steps 6-9 above. The display will show the numbers as entered.

4. Press the AM/FM button and the time appears, indicating that the disabling sequence was successful. If the display indicates SEC, the numbers did not match and the unit is still secured.

Disabling the Anti-Theft System: 1. Press PREV and FF together for five

seconds with the ignition on and radio power off. The display will show SEC, indicating the unit is in the secure mode. (If "- - -" appears on the display, the anti-theft system has already been disabled.)

2. Press the SET button. The display

will show 000.

3. Enter the first three digits of the code

following steps 6 and 7 of the preceding paragraphs. The display

Steering Wheel Touch Controls (OPTION) Some audio system functions can be operated with these controls. ASEEKV: Press A to seek and stop on the next station higher on the radio band; press V to seek and stop on the next station lower on the radio band. If you are listening to a cassette tape or compact disc, press A to skip to the next selection; press V to return to the previous selection. ATUNEV: Press A to tune in radio stations higher on the AM or FM band; press V to tune in stations lower on the band.

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Comfort Controls &Audio Systems

Undersfanding Radio Reception FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can also pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. To lower this noise, try reducing the treble level. AM Stereo Your Delcoo system may be able to receive C-Quam@ stereo broadcasts. Many AM stations around the country use C-Quam@ to produce stereo, though some do not. C-Quam@ is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc. If your Delco@ system can get C- Quam@ signals, your stereo indicator light will come on when you are receiving it.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly is subject to reduced sound quality, ruining the cassette, or damaging the mechanism. Tape cassettes that are not properly stored in their plastic cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat may not operate properly and could cause premature failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned monthly or with every 15 hours of use, as regular maintenance. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If the second cassette

AVOLI (Volume): Press A to ncrease volume; press V to decrease Jolume. 4M/FM: Press to change between the 4M and FM radio bands. MUTE Whether you are listening to :he radio, a cassette tape or a compact lisc, this switch allows you to turn off ;he sound without turning off the lower. Press again to restore the sound.

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results in no improvement in sound quality, try cleaning the tape player. Proper tape player cleaning should be done with a wiping action nonabrasive \ cleaner cassette. To properly clean your ; tape player, you should follow the

I directions on the cleaning cassette.

Cassettes are subject to wear and the 1 sound quality may degrade over time. Always verlfy that the cassette tape is in good condition before obtaining service on your tape player.

:are 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.

In YC an be ve frc th

mtegrated Roof Antenna )ur state-of-the-art integrated roof ltenna is not visible. It is located !tween the roof and headliner of your Ihicle, covering the entire roof area 3m the rear edge of the front doors to .e liftgate. NOTICE: Don't mount anything to your roof, such as an antenna or a luggage carrier, or to your headliner. If you puncture the roof or headliner, you could damage or destroy your integrated roof antenna. Have any work of this type done by your dealer.

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Comfort Controli &Audio Systems

If you want to add a mobile phone or two-way radio to your vehicle, there are special precautions you’ll need to take because of your integrated roof antenna. See the Index under Adding Sound Equipment.

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Here you’ll find infoimation about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions . We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving .

Part 4 Your Driving and the Road

. . ....................................................................................................

132 Defensive DrlWg Dmnken Driving ..................................................................................................... 132 Control of a Vehicle Braking .................................................................................................................. 134 Anti-Locls: Brakes .................................................................................................. 135 Traction Control System ...................................................................................... 137 Steering Tips ......................................................................................................... 138 Steering in Emergencies ....................................................................................... 139 Passing .................................................................................................................. 140 Driving at Night ...................................................................................................... 142 Driving in the Rain .................................................................................................. 143 City Driving ............................................................................................................. 145 Freeway Driving ...................................................................................................... 145 Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................................................................ 147 Winter Driving ......................................................................................................... 148 Towing a Trailer ...................................................................................................... 151

. .

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each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

How much alcohol is in the drink. The drinker’s body weight. The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking. The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol.

Your Driving and the Road

I Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Oldsmobile: Buckle up. (See Safety Belts in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

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I Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment Muscular Coordination Vision

Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol - a driver, a passenger or someone else, such as a pedestrian, had been drinking. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. About 20,000 motor vehicle-related deaths occur each year because of alcohol, and thousands of people are injured. Just how much alcohol is too much if a person plans to drive? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on

Drinking That Will Result in a BAC of -05% in the Time Shown

3 HOURS

2 HOURS

1 HOUR

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-pound (82 kg) person who drinlts three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1% ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka. It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a slightly lower BAC level.

\- ++

.... +-.:

100 120 140

160

........ t.....-L..

1””’

180 200 220 240

BODY ViEIGHT IN POUNDS

The law in most U.S. states sets the egal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In 2anada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it’s lower than :hat. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent lfter three to six drinlts (in one hour). 3f course, as we’ve seen, it depends on low much alcohol is in the drinks, and low quickly the person drinks them. But it’s very important to keep in mind :hat the ability to drive is affected well 3elow a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many ?eople are impaired at a BAC

approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. W l be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with a higher BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t

133

Your Driving and the Road

know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse. That’s especially true for brain, spinal cord and heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been drinking - driver or passenger - is in a crash, the chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for drinking drivers.

134

I Control of a Vehicle ~~ You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road. Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle. I Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the

you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life. If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your Oldsmobile has an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent skidding.

brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in % of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 k w h ) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes. Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts - heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking - rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if

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Your Driving and the Road

* x 1 0 0 0

i‘his light on the instrument panel will go on when you start your vehicle. When you start your vehicle, or when jou begin to drive away, you may hear a nomentary motor or clicking noise. 4nd you may even notice that your )rake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system :esting itself. (You may also hear a :licking noise if you leave the ignition in .he Run position for about four seconds Iefore starting the vehicle.) If there’s a Jroblem with the anti-lock brake iystem, the anti-lock brake system Yarning light will stay on or flash. See Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2ight in the Index. lere’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. 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 front wheel and at the rear wheels. 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.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal. 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. To Use Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal.

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If your vehicle has the traction control system, the LOW TRACTION light will come on when your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid. See Low Traction Light in

i theIndex.

Traction Control System (OPTION: 3800 V6 ENGINE) 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 (by shutting off fuel injectors and managing spark) to limit wheel spin.

The LOW TRACTION light will come on when your traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See Low Traction Light in the Index. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, 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 re-engage the cruise control. (See Cruise Control in the Index .)

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4F;n The TCS warning light will come on to let you know if there's a problem with your traction control system. See Traction Control System Warning Light in the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

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I’he traction control system mtomatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should dways leave the system on. But you can :urn the traction control system off if IOU ever need to. (You should turn the ;ystem off if your vehicle ever gets stuck n sand, mud, ice or snow. See Rocking Your Vehicle in the Index.) To turn the system off, press the switch ocated on the center instrument panel :onsole. The light on the switch will go off. If the Lraction control system is limiting wheel ;pin when you press the switch, the ;ystem won’t turn off right away. It will

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wait until there’s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin. You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the switch again. The light on the switch should come on.

Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. 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. 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 “driver lost control” 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. Unless you have traction control and the system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control.

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 “drive” 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.

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.

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Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a 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 Oldsmobile can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the

Your Driving and the Road

I Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to % turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

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I Passing The driver of a vehicle abor It t o pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents - the head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing:

“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about malting a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your

pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic. Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than rnaltes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and

drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle. Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the

brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right. Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.

In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your Oldsmobile’s three control

systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you have the traction control system, remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have traction control, or if the system is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quicltly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery

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surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues - such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” - and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.

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Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlights, but they also make a lot of things invisible. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from

Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired - by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Don’t drink and drive. Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles.

a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean - inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. Remember that your headlights light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness - the inability to see in dim light - and aren’t even aware of it.

4 Driving in the Rain Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

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Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

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Some Other Rainy Weather Tips Turn on your low-beam headlights - not just your parking lights - to help make you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See Tires in the Index.)

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.

Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

I City Driving One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of tr&c on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next section, Freeway Driving.)

I Freeway Driving Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the

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flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.

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. I 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? Lights: 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? Highway Hypnosis Is tbere actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.

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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. If you drive regularly in steep countly, 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.

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Ihow how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

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Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving: Have your Oldsmobile in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine coolant mix is correct. You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.

Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful. What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32°F; O’C) and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.

that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

Whatever the condition - smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow - drive with caution. If you have the traction control system, keep the system on. It will improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction control system, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions. See Traction Control System in the Index. If you don’t have the traction control system, accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more. Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have an anti- lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See Anti-lock in the Index.

Allow greater following distance on any slippery road. Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe: Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from

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newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats - anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

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Run your engine ody as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile. Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes.

Towinga Trailer

NOTICE: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this section, and see your Oldsmobile dealer for important information about towing a trailer with your vehicle.

trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points.

There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds (900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg).

You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.

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Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read the information in Weight of the Trailer that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That’s the reason for this section. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a

It should never weigh more than 1,400 pounds (630 kg) with up to six occupants or more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg) with up to two occupants unless you have the optional trailer- towing package. With the trailer-towing package (available only with the 3800 V6 engine), your vehicle can tow up to 2,400 pounds (1 090 kg) with up to six occupants or up to 3,000 pounds (1 360 kg) with up to two occupants. But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how

much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Oldsmobile Customer Assistance P.O. Box 30095 Lansing, MI 48909 In Canada, write to: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

Your Driving and the Road

Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 ltm) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.

. Then, during the first 500 miles (800

km) that you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 lun/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.

Three important considerations have to do with weight: Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be?

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hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer weight (B) . After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer. Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification/Tire label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or see Tire Loading in the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle.

Hifches It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow:

If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg), be sure to use a properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This equipment is very important for proper vehicle loading and good handling when you’re driving. Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see Engine Exhaust in the Index). Dirt and water can, too. The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type

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Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity. I If you’re using a “dead-weight’’ hitch, 1 the trailer tongue (A) should weigh i 10% of the total loaded trailer weight ’ (B). If you have a “weight-distributing”

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hitches to them. Use only a frame- mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper.

Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to 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. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (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 Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly so responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time.

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During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.

Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns.

Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always

back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.

Making Turns When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your

signal when they are not. It’s important