Oldsmobile Aurora (2001 year). Manual - part 8

2-53

Convex Outside Mirror

Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from 
the driver’s seat.

CAUTION:

A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder 
before changing lanes.

Heated Outside Rearview Mirror 
(If Equipped)

When you operate the rear window defogger, the heated
driver’s and passenger’s outside rearview mirrors also
warm up to help clear them of ice and snow. See “Rear
Window Defogger” in the Index.

Storage Compartments

Glove Box

Use the master key to lock and unlock the glove box. 
To open, lift the latch release on the left side of the
glove box door.

The VALET key will not work in the glove box 
door lock.

Front Storage Armrest

The front armrest opens into a storage area. To open it,
press the lever on the side and lift up. Inside you will
find storage for cassettes, compact discs and coins.

In front of the storage area is a cupholder. Press and
release the cupholder cover to open. Do not try to pull 
it out. Press the cupholder back to its recessed position
when not in use.

Rear Armrest

Your vehicle has a rear armrest with cupholders and a
pass

-

through feature.

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Rear Storage Compartment (Option)

Your vehicle may have a rear storage armrest with
cupholders and a pass

-

through feature.

Lift the front of the cover on the armrest to reveal the
storage space.

Pull down the interior door to access the trunk.

Convenience Net

Your vehicle has a convenience net just inside the back
wall of the trunk.

Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.

The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can. You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when you’re not using it.

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter

Push and release the cover to reveal the front ashtray
and cigarette lighter.

NOTICE:

Don’t put papers and other things that burn 
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or 
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.

To clean an ashtray, make sure the cover is open fully,
then lift out the ashtray by pulling on the snuffer.

To use a lighter, push the center all the way in and let 
it go. When it’s ready, the center will pop back out by
itself. Pull out the entire unit to use it.

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NOTICE:

Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.

The cigarette lighter will only operate when the ignition
is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning the ignition
off. If you would like the lighter to operate regardless of
the ignition position, and for unlimited periods of time,
see “Engine Compartment Bussed Electrical Center” in
the Index or see your dealer.

Leaving an accessory on for a long period of time can
drain the vehicle’s battery.

Sun Visors

To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also remove them from the center mount and swing
them to the side, while the auxiliary visor remains to
block glare from the front.

To extend the visor at the sides, pull out the extension.

Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors

When you open the cover to the driver or passenger side
visor vanity mirror, the lamps will come on.

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Accessory Power Outlet

The accessory power outlet (12

-

volt) is located on the

front passenger’s side of the vehicle, near the floor on
the console.

The outlet can be used to plug in electrical equipment
such as a cellular telephone, CB radio, etc. Follow the
proper installation instructions that are included with
any electrical equipment you install.

The accessory power outlet will only operate when the
ignition is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning the
ignition off. If you would like the accessory power 
outlet to operate regardless of ignition position, and for
unlimited periods of time, see “Engine Compartment
Bussed Electrical Center” in the Index or see your dealer.

Leaving an accessory on for a long period of time can
drain the vehicle’s battery.

NOTICE:

When using the accessory power outlet, the
maximum load of any electrical equipment
should not exceed 15 amps.

OnStar

R

 System (If Equipped)

Onstar is a vehicle communications service. The
following services are available through a subscription
with OnStar and are available 24 hours a day:

Emergency Services
D Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment
D Stolen

-

Vehicle Tracking

D Roadside Assistance with Location
D Remote Diagnostics
D OnStar MED

-

NET

D Accident Assist
Convenience Services
D Remote Door Unlock
D Route Support
D Concierge Services
D Ride Assist
A complete user’s guide is provided with the OnStar
System. For more information contact OnStar 
at 1

-

888

-

ONSTAR7.

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Assist Handles

A handle above each rear door and the front passenger’s
door can be used to help you get in or out of your vehicle.

Garment Hook

For your convenience, you will find a two

-

hanger

capacity garment hook on each rear door assist handle.

Garment hooks are not designed to support clothing
bars. Use assist handles for this if possible.

Sunroof (Option)

If you have this feature, 
the switches are located
between the sun visors.

There are two switches that operate the sunroof. The
switches will only work when the ignition is on or when
the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active.

The OPEN/CLOSE switch has positions for open or
close and express open. The TILT/CLOSE switch has
positions for tilt or close.

Press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE switch to the 
first position to open the glass panel and sunshade. 
The sunshade can also be opened by hand. To close 
the glass panel, press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE or
TILT/CLOSE switch in the close position. As the 
glass panel closes, it will open slightly towards the tilt
position to provide a better seal. The sunshade can only
be closed by hand.

Press and release the OPEN/CLOSE switch rearward 
to the second position to express open the glass panel. 
It will stop in a partially open position. The glass panel
may be fully opened by pressing the OPEN/CLOSE
switch rearward again. When the glass panel is express
opening, pressing either switch in any direction will stop
it. If you press and hold the OPEN/CLOSE switch in 
the express open position for more than one and a half
seconds, the express open operation will be overridden
and the sunroof will operate manually.

To tilt open the glass panel, press and hold the
TILT/CLOSE switch. The sunshade must be opened 
by hand. To close the glass panel, press and hold 
the TILT/CLOSE or OPEN/CLOSE switch in the 
close position.

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HomeLink

R

 Transmitter (If Equipped)

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and 
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS

-

210 of Industry Canada.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 
(1) this device may not cause interference, and 
(2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of 
the device.

Changes and modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.

Programming the HomeLink

R

 Transmitter

Do not use the HomeLink Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”
safety feature. This includes any garage door opener
model manufactured before April 1, 1982.

Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door you are programming.

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Your vehicle’s engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:

1. If you have previously programmed a transmitter

channel, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, hold 
down the two outside buttons on the HomeLink
Transmitter until the indicator light begins to flash
rapidly (after 20 seconds). Then release the buttons.
This procedure initializes the memory and erases any
previous settings for all three channels.

2. Decide which one of the three channels you want to

program. Hold the end of the hand

-

held transmitter

about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) away from the
surface of the HomeLink Transmitter so that you 
can still see the indicator light.

3. Using both hands, press the hand

-

held transmitter

button and the desired button on the HomeLink
Transmitter. Continue to press both buttons 
through Step 4.

4. Hold down both buttons until you see the indicator

light on the HomeLink Transmitter flash slowly and
then rapidly. The rapid flashing indicates that the
HomeLink Transmitter has been programmed.
Release both buttons once the indicator light starts 
to flash rapidly.

If you have trouble programming the HomeLink
Transmitter, make sure that you have followed the
directions exactly as described. The HomeLink
Transmitter may not work with older garage door openers
that do not meet current Federal Consumer Safety
Standards. If you cannot program the transmitter after
repeated attempts, refer to “Rolling Code Programming”
later in this section or contact the HomeLink Transmitter
manufacturer at 1

-

800

-

355

-

3515.

Be sure to keep the original hand

-

held transmitter 

in case you need to erase and reprogram the 
HomeLink Transmitter.

Note to Canadian Owners: During programming, 
the hand

-

held transmitter may automatically stop

transmitting after one or two seconds. In this case, you
should press and repress the button on the hand

-

held

transmitter every two seconds without ever releasing the
button on the HomeLink Transmitter. Release both
buttons when the indicator light on the HomeLink
Transmitter begins to flash rapidly.

2-60

Operating the HomeLink

R

 Transmitter

Press and release the appropriate button on the
HomeLink Transmitter. The indicator light comes on
while the signal is being transmitted. The trunk release
lockout switch must be OFF.

If the hand

-

held transmitter appears to program the

HomeLink Transmitter but does not open your garage
door, and if the garage door opener was manufactured
after 1996, the garage door opener may have a “rolling
code” system. A rolling code system changes the code
of the garage door opener every time you open or close
the garage door.

To determine if you have this system, press the button
on the HomeLink Transmitter that you have already
programmed. If the indicator light on the HomeLink
Transmitter flashes rapidly for two seconds and then
turns solid, the garage door opener has a rolling code
system. In a rolling code system, the garage door motor
head unit must be trained to the HomeLink Transmitter.

“Rolling Code” Programming (If Equipped)

If you have not previously programmed the hand

-

held

transmitter to the HomeLink Transmitter, see
“Programming the HomeLink

R

 Transmitter” listed

previously. If you have completed this programming
already, you now need to train the garage door opener
motor head unit to recognize the HomeLink Transmitter.
Refer to your garage door opener owner’s manual for
the proper transmitter training procedure for your garage
door opener brand.

1. Find the training button on the garage door opener

motor head unit. The exact location and color of 
the button may vary by garage door opener brand. 
If you have difficulty finding the training button,
refer to your garage door opener owner’s manual.

2. Press the training button on the garage door 

opener motor head unit.

Following this step, you have 30 seconds to 
start Step 3.

2-61

3. Return to the HomeLink Transmitter in your 

vehicle and firmly press and release the HomeLink
Transmitter button you have already programmed for
two to three seconds. Press and release the button
again (you may need to do this step up to three
times) to make sure that the HomeLink Transmitter
has been trained to the garage door opener motor
head unit. Check that the training was successful.

The garage door opener should now recognize the
HomeLink Transmitter. You may either use the
HomeLink Transmitter or the hand

-

held transmitter 

to open the garage door.

If after following these instructions, you still have problems 
training the garage door opener, contact the HomeLink
Transmitter manufacturer at 1

-

800

-

355

-

3515.

Erasing Channels

To erase all three programmed channels, hold down the
two outside buttons until the indicator light begins to
flash (after 20 seconds). Release both buttons.

Accessories

Accessories for the HomeLink

R

 Transmitter are available

from the manufacturer of the unit. If you would like
additional information, please call 1

-

800

-

355

-

3515.

2-62

The Instrument Panel 

-

 Your Information System

2-63

The main components of your instrument panel are:

A. Air Outlet

B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

C. Steering Wheel Controls for Climate Control System

D. Steering Wheel Controls for Audio System

E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Control

F. Driver Information Center (DIC)

G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button

H. Climate Control System

I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control

J. Trip Odometer Buttons

K. Hood Release

L. Parking Brake

M. Cruise Control Lever

N. Ignition Switch

O. Audio System

P. Accessory Power Outlet

Q. Glove Box (Trunk Release Lockout Switch inside)

2-64

Instrument Panel Cluster

Your vehicle is equipped with this instrument panel cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are
explained on the following pages. The instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is
running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive
safely and economically.

United States version shown, Canada similar

2-65

Speedometer and Odometer

Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).

The speedometer shows a top speed of 140 mph 
(220 km/h). This is not intended to be the vehicle’s 
top speed.

You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to 
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be.
But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be
put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading
when the new odometer was installed.

Trip Odometer

Your trip odometer tells you how far you have driven
since you last reset it. Your vehicle is equipped with two
trip odometers, “A” and “B”.

Press the TRIP A/B button to change which trip odometer  
is displayed.

Press the TRIP RESET button to reset the trip odometer
that is currently being displayed.

2-66

Tachometer

The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).

If your engine speed equals or exceeds the safe limit for
operation, the message HOT...REDUCE ENG RPM is
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).

NOTICE:

Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in 
the red area, or when the message HOT...REDUCE 
ENG RPM is displayed. Engine damage may occur.

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.

Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.

Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.

2-67

Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.

When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly 

--

 and even

dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.

Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See “Driver
Information Center” in the Index.

Safety Belt Reminder Light

When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.

The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
flash for about 55 seconds.

If the driver’s belt is already buckled, the chime will not
sound and the light will go off after 5 seconds.

2-68

Air Bag Readiness Light

There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. 
The system check includes the air bag sensors, the 
air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.

This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.

CAUTION:

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.

The air bag readiness light should flash for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready 
to warn you if there is a problem.

On the DIC an AIR BAG PROBLEM message will 
be displayed when there is a problem with the air bag
system. See “DIC Warnings and Messages” in the 
Index for more information.