Oldsmobile Intrigue (2002 year). Manual - part 6

2-22

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), the power
windows, audio system and sunroof (option) will
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition key
is turned to OFF and none of the doors are open.

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.

2-23

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.

NOTICE:

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.

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)

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
above 32

_F (0_C), use of the coolant heater is 

not required.

2-24

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. 

The cord is located behind the driver’s side
headlamp assembly.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110

-

volt AC outlet.

CAUTION:

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.

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.

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

Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located 
on the console between 
the seats.

2-25

Maximum engine speed is limited when your vehicle is
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline
components from improper operation.

There are several positions for your shift lever.

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.

CAUTION:

It is 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 is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

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 parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing 
it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the 
brake pushed down. Then move the shift lever out 
of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button.
See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in the Index.

2-26

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
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

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.

CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

2-27

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is 
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
D Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your

accelerator pedal about halfway down.

D Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the

accelerator pedal all the way down.

You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.

NOTICE:

If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, 
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. If this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
D When driving on hilly, winding roads.
D When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting

between gears.

D When going down a steep hill.

2-28

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power, but
lower fuel economy. 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.

NOTICE:

Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 
25 miles (40 km) at speeds over 55 mph 
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or 
THIRD (3) as much as possible.

Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.

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 (1), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

NOTICE:

If your front wheels can’t turn, don’t try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very 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
overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

2-29

Parking Brake

The parking brake is located
to the left of the brake pedal
near the driver’s door.

To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot. Then, push down on 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
released position.

A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is 
set, the ignition is in ON and the shift lever is not in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).

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 a hill, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-30

Shifting Into PARK (P)

CAUTION:

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. 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 with your left foot.

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

D Press in and hold the shift lever button located on

the left side of the shift lever.

D Push the lever all the way toward the front of 

the vehicle.

3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.

4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can

leave with the ignition key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-31

Leaving Your Vehicle With the 
Engine Running

CAUTION:

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 unless you have to.

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. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see 
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the shift lever button. If you 
can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked 
into PARK (P).

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)” in the Index.

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).

2-32

Shifting Out of Park (P)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See “Automatic Transaxle Operation”
in the Index.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P) into the gear
that you want.

If you ever hold the brake pedal down, but still can’t
shift out of PARK(P), try this:

1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY.

2. Apply and hold the brake.

3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).

4. Start the engine, and then shift to the drive gear 

you want.

5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.

2-33

Parking Over Things That Burn

CAUTION:

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

Engine Exhaust

CAUTION:

Engine exhaust can kill. 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:
D Your exhaust system sounds strange 

or different.

D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

D Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

D Your vehicle was damaged when driving over

high points on the road or over road debris.

D Repairs weren’t done correctly.

D Your vehicle or exhaust system had been

modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into 
your vehicle:
D Drive it only with all the windows down to

blow out any CO; and

D Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-34

Running Your Engine While 
You’re Parked

It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.

CAUTION:

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

carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even 
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place 
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust 

--

 with 

CO 

--

 can come in easily. NEVER park in a

garage with the engine running.

Another closed

-

in place can be a blizzard. See

“Blizzard” in the Index.

CAUTION:

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 is
running unless you have to. If you’ve 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Horn

Press at or near the horn symbols located on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.

2-35

Tilt Wheel

A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level 
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter 
the vehicle.

The lever that enables you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever.
Move the wheel to a comfortable level, then release the
lever to lock the wheel in place.

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
D Turn and Lane

-

Change Signals

D Headlamp High/Low

-

Beam Changer

D Flash

-

to

-

Pass Feature

D Windshield Wipers
D Windshield Washer
For information on the exterior lamps, see “Exterior
Lamps” later in this section.

2-36

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

The turn signal lever has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or 
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will 
return automatically.

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.

As you signal a turn or lane change, if the arrow flashes
faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers won’t see your turn signal.

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned

-

out bulbs and then check

the fuse. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.

A chime will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km).

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

When the high beams are
on, this light will appear on
the instrument panel.

To change your headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the lever away from you. To change back to
low beam, pull the lever toward you.

To flash your high beams, pull the lever toward you and
release. The lever will return to the low

-

beam position.

Fog lamps, (if equipped), will not be illuminated while
the headlamps are in the high

-

beam mode.

2-37

Flash-to-Pass Feature

With the lever in the low

-

beam position, pull the 

lever toward you momentarily to switch to high beams
(to signal you are going to pass). If you have the
headlamps on, they will return to low beams when 
you release the lever.

Windshield Wipers

Use this lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers.

OFF: Move the lever to OFF to turn off the 
windshield wipers.

INT (Intermittent): Move the lever to INT to choose a
delayed wiping cycle. Turn the INT ADJ band down for
a longer delay or up for a shorter delay. The further the
INT ADJ band is turned upward, the shorter the delay
will be and the further the INT ADJ band is turned
downward, the longer the delay will be. The wiper speed
can only be adjusted when the lever is in the INT
position. Use this position for light rain or snow.

LO (Low Speed): Move the lever up to the first setting
past INT, for steady wiping at low speed.

HI (High Speed): Move the lever up to the second
setting past INT, for steady wiping at high speed.

MIST: Move the lever all the way down to MIST for a
single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield
wipers start; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop
after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the band
on MIST longer.

Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. If this
occurs, a circuit breaker will stop the wipers until the
motor cools. So, be sure to clear any ice and snow from
the windshield wiper blades before using them. If the
wiper blades are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen them, or warm the windshield before turning the
wipers on. If your blades do become worn or damaged,
get new blades or blade inserts.