Starting and Operating Your Vehicle. Oldsmobile 2003 Aurora, Aurora 2003

Starting and Operating Your

Vehicle

Ignition Positions

New Vehicle Break-In

Notice:

Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate

“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:

e

Don’t drive at any one speed

- slow

-

500

miles

(805

km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.

e

Avoid making hard stops for the first

200

miles

(322 so.

During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.

e

Don’t tnw a trailer during break-in. See

“Tawing

a Trailer” in the Index for more information.

With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn the switch to four different positions.

Notice:

If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if

so,

is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a

iooi io

furce

ii

cuuid Gi-e“-k

tiie

key

U I

tijZ. iyr,itior,

switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle needs service.

OFF: This is the only position in which you can remove the key. This position locks your ignition and transaxle.

It’s a thzft-de:e;;ent feature.

2-23

ACC (Accessory):

This position lets you use your electrical accessories such as power windows, power sunroof (option), radio and the windshield wipers.

ON:

This is the position the switch returns to after you start your engine and release the switch. This is the position for normal driving. Even when the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel warning lights.

START:

This position starts your engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to ON for normal driving.

Key Reminder Warning

If you leave your key in the OFF ignition position, you will hear a warning chime when you open the driver’s door.

Always leave your key in OFF. If you leave it in any other position, you will drain the battery power.

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you will still have power to accessories such as the power windows, audio steering wheel controls, clock, sunroof (option), accessory power outlet and the radio for up to 10 minutes. The instrument panel cluster lights will stay on for a few seconds, then go out.

Once you open a door, the power will shut off.

2-24

Starting Your Engine

Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).

Your engine won’t start in any other position

- that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL

(N) only.

Notice:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to

START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.

Notice:

Holding your key in START for longer than

15

seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2.

If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, hold your key in

START for about 10 seconds at a time until your engine starts. Wait about

15 seconds between each try.

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.

Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in

START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.

This time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.

After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure.

Nofice:

Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly.

I

To Use

the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.

The engine coolant heater cord is located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the headlamp assembly.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.

Engine Coolant Heater

If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather,

0°F

(-18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures

&D\!P

32°F (““c), of the con!ant heater is not required.

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock.

Also,

the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt

AC

outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.

I

4.

Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged.

2-25

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area.

Automatic Transaxle Operation

There are several different positions for your shift lever.

_ _

js

dangerous to get

01

of

your veh f the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.

You

or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when

PARK (P). See “Shifting Into Park

(P)”

in the

Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a

Trailer” in the Index.

PARK (P):

This position locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.

2-26

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON.

REVERSE

(R):

Use this gear to back up.

Notice:

Shifting to REVERSE

(R)

while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transaxle.

Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle

is

stopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow. ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see

If

You

Are Stuck: In

Sand,

Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-32.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use

NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.

Shifting into a Glgde gear while

yo^ engllie is

“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous.

Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, could lose control and hit people or objects.

Don’t shift into a drive gear while your engine is racing.

Notice:

Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting into

a

drive gear with the engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE

(a): normal driving. if you need more power for passing, and you’re:

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

0

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.

2-27

THIRD

(3):

This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE

(a). some times you might choose THIRD

(3) instead of

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@ ):

When driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears, or when going down a steep hill.

SECOND

(2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC

OVERDRIVE

(0

(3).

YOU can use

SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.

FIRST (1):

This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND

(2).

You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST ( I ) , the transaxle won’t shift into FIRST (1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

Notice:

If your front wheels won’t turn, don’t try deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transaxle.

Also,

if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

2-28

Parking Brake

Your vehicle has a PUSH

TO RELEASE parking brake. To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.

To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot and push the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the release position. if you try to drive approximately

20 feet

(6.1 m> with the parking brake on, the brake light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the parking brake.

Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can cause

your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also damage other parts of your vehicle.

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill, see

Towing a Trailer on page 4-36.

That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on while the parking brake is set and a single chime will be heard.

2-29

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

1.

Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake by pushing down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.

2. Move the shift lever into

PARK

(P) by pushing the lever all the way forward.

3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.

4.

Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-30

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine

Running

It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in

PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set.

And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire.

You or others could be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the engine running.

Torque Lock

If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”

To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into

PARK (P)” previously in this section.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of

PARK (P)

before

you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever‘out of PARK (P).

If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After

)’3L!’\!P mc?‘erl fhP shift !eve!- intc P.A.!?K (P), hn!d the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK

(P).

If you can, it means the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).

2-31

Shifting Out of Park (P)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON. See

Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-26.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever

- push the shift lever all the way into

PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of PARK (P), try the following:

1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position.

2.

Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step

4.

3.

Shift to NEUTRAL (N).

4.

Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want.

5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center as soon as you can.

Parking Over Things That Burn

2-32

Engine Exhaust

parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that can burn.

Engine exhaust car.

--jll.

It contains the gas carbon monoxide

(CO),

which you can’t see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren’t done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified improperly.

If

you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any

CO;

and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-33

Running Your Engine While You

Are Parked

It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have

to,

here are some things to know.

Idling the engine with the climate control system

off

could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under

“Engine Exhaust.’’

Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly can happen is a garage. Exhaust

-

CO

- garage with the engine running.

I

“Winter Driving” in the Index.

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured.

To

be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, always set your

PARK (P).

Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t move.

See

Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-30.

If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a trailer, also see

Towing a Trailer on page

4-36.

2-34