Oldsmobile Silhouette (2004 year). Manual

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Recirculation): This mode keeps outside air

from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will
come on. The air-conditioning compressor also comes
on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent
and bi-level modes, but it cannot be used with floor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.

Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the air
temperature inside your vehicle.

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn

the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.

You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.

On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.

For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:

1. Select the vent mode.

2. Select the recirculation mode.

3. Select A/C.

4. Select the coolest temperature.

5. Select the highest fan speed.

Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air inside of
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.

The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

Defogging and Defrosting

Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity,
or moisture, condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.

3-29

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.

(Defog): This mode directs air to the windshield

and the floor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.

(Defrost): Pressing this button directs most of the

air to the windshield and the side window outlets, with
some air directed to the floor outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically turn off recirculation and run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot
be selected while in the defrost mode.

Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.

REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window

defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.

The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger will only run for about five minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off
by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.

Notice: Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.

3-30

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dual Climate Control System

With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.

Operation

Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airflow inside of your vehicle.

To change the current mode, select one of the following:

(Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument

panel outlets.

)

(Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the

instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining
air to the floor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.

(Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the

floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the
vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats free of
objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of
the vehicle.

The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging and
Defrosting” later in this section.

(Fan): Turn the left knob clockwise or

counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob to OFF to turn off the fan. The fan must be
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.

(Outside Air): Press this button to turn the

outside air mode on or off. When this mode is on,
outside air will circulate throughout your vehicle. When
this mode is on, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that it is activated. The outside
air mode can be used with all modes, but it cannot
be used with the recirculation mode.

3-31

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Recirculation): This mode keeps outside air

Temperature Control: Use the driver’s and
passenger’s temperature levers to increase or decrease
the air temperature inside your vehicle.

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn

the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.

For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:

1. Select the vent mode.

2. Select the recirculation mode.

3. Select A/C.

4. Select the coolest temperature.

5. Select the highest fan speed.

Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.

3-32

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Defogging and Defrosting

Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.

(Defog): This mode directs air to the windshield

(Defrost): Pressing this button directs most of the

Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.

REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window

defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.

3-33

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outlet Adjustment

Use the knob located in the center of the outlet,
to change the direction of the air flow.

Operation Tips

•

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets on the hood that may block the flow of air
into your vehicle.

•

Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.

•

Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside your vehicle more
effectively.

Rear Climate Control System
(Without Entertainment System)

Your vehicle may have a rear climate-control system
that allows the driver to adjust the fan speed or a
rear-seat passenger to set a separate temperature and
adjust the fan speed, for the rear-seating area. This
system works with the main climate-control system in
your vehicle.

This knob is located below
the main climate-control
system on the instrument
panel switchbank. Use
this knob to adjust the fan
speed for the rear-seat
passengers, from the
front-seating area.

3-34

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These controls are overhead, on the control panel located
behind the driver’s seat. A rear-seat passenger can use
these controls to personally adjust the temperature and
the fan speed for the rear-seating area.

The fan knob located on the switchbank must be turned
to R (Rear) to allow the rear-seat passengers to use
the controls located on the control panel in the
rear-seating area. Performing this action disables the
fan knob on the switchbank. To return control to
that knob, turn the knob out of R.

Directing the Airflow

To direct the airflow to the rear-seating area, use the
right knob located on the main climate-control panel.

•

Select vent or bi-level mode to direct air to the
rear of the vehicle through the overhead outlets.

•

Select floor, defog or defrost mode to direct air to
the rear of the vehicle through the floor outlets.

Generally the upper outlets are used for air conditioning
and the floor outlets are used for heating.

Selecting the Fan Speed

(Fan): Turn the fan knob on either rear fan control

to numeral 1, 2, or 3 to increase or decrease airflow
to the rear-seating area. Turn the fan knob on either rear
fan control to 0 or OFF to turn off the fan.

3-35

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting the Temperature

If the driver is adjusting the temperature, do the
following:

To increase or decrease the temperature for the entire
vehicle, use the temperature controls located on the
main climate-control panel.

If using the main climate-control panel, then the
air-conditioning system must be on to direct cooled air
to the rear of the vehicle. If it is not on, then the
temperature in the rear of the vehicle will remain at
cabin temperature.

If a rear-seat passenger is adjusting the temperature,
do the following:

Turn the right knob, located on the overhead rear-control
panel, behind the driver’s seat, clockwise or
counterclockwise to raise or lower the temperature in
the rear-seating area only.

Rear Air Outlets

To increase airflow through the rear floor outlets, place
the left bucket seat in the second row in the forward
position. For more information, see

Rear Seat Operation

on page 1-8.

The outlet behind the left rear seat is the cold air return
outlet. Be sure to keep it free from obstructions.
Also, keep the area around the base of the center
instrument panel console, between and under the front
seats, free of objects that could also obstruct airflow
to the rear-seating area.

For more information on how to use the main climate
control system, see “Climate Control System” listed
previously in this section. For information on ventilation,
see “Outlet Adjustment” under “Climate Control
System” listed previously in this section.

Rear Climate Control System
(With Entertainment System)

3-36

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This knob is located below
the main climate-control
system on the instrument
panel switchbank. Use
this knob to adjust the fan
speed for the rear-seat
passengers, from the
front-seating area.

These controls are overhead, on the control panel located
behind the front seats. A rear-seat passenger can use
these controls to personally adjust the temperature and
the fan speed for the rear-seating area.

The fan knob located on the switchbank must be turned
to R (Rear) to allow the rear-seat passengers to use
the controls located on the control panel in the
rear-seating area. If this fan knob is not in R when the
FAN or TEMP button is pressed, the rear control
panel will show DISABLED.

Directing the Airflow

To direct the airflow to the rear-seating area, use the
right knob located on the main climate-control panel.

•

Select vent or bi-level mode to direct air to the
rear of the vehicle through the overhead outlets.

•

Select floor, defog or defrost mode to direct air to
the rear of the vehicle through the floor outlets.

Generally the upper outlets are used for air conditioning
and the floor outlets are used for heating.

3-37

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selecting the Fan Speed

If the driver is adjusting the fan speed, use the following
control:

(Fan): Turn the fan knob on the rear fan control

located below the main climate-control system on
the switchbank to numeral 1, 2, or 3 to increase or
decrease airflow to the rear-seating area. Turn the fan
knob on the rear fan control to 0 to turn off the fan.

If a rear-seat passenger is adjusting the fan speed, use
the following control:

FAN: Press the FAN button on the rear control panel.
The display will show the current setting. Press the
left and right arrow buttons to cycle through the available
settings: OFF, LOW, MED and HIGH.

Setting the Temperature

If the driver is adjusting the temperature, do the
following:

To increase or decrease the temperature for the entire
vehicle, use the temperature controls located on the
main climate-control panel.

If using the main climate-control panel, then the
air-conditioning system must be on to direct cooled air to
the rear of the vehicle. If it is not on, then the temperature
in the rear of the vehicle will remain at cabin temperature.

If a rear-seat passenger is adjusting the temperature,
do the following:

Press the TEMP button on the rear control panel. Use the
left arrow button to make the air cooler. Use the right
arrow button to make the air warmer.

Rear Air Outlets

To increase airflow through the rear floor outlets, place
the left bucket seat in the second row in the forward
position. For more information, see

Rear Seat Operation

on page 1-8.

3-38

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Passenger Compartment Air Filter

Passenger compartment air, both outside and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment filter. The filter removes certain
contaminants from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in airflow, which may occur more
quickly in dusty areas, indicate that the filter needs
to be replaced early. For how often to change the air
filter, see

Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.

The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter is located in the back of the glove box. To replace
the filter, do the following:

1. Pull the tab located on the outer access panel

up and out.

3-39

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Then push the tab, located on the left of the inner

access panel, to the right.

3. The first air filter will pull straight out. To remove

the second, reach in and slide it toward the
opening. Pull the second filter out.

4. Replace the filters by reversing Step 3. Make sure

the filters are inserted so that the sealing foam is
angled in the same direction on both filters. For the
type of filter to use, see

Normal Maintenance

Replacement Parts on page 6-14.

5. Close the inner access door, while squeezing the

tab. Be sure it is tightly closed.

6. Snap the outer access panel into the back of the

glove box.

3-40

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 also has a message center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See

Message

Center on page 3-53.

3-41

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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).

Your vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer.

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 that will
be done. If it cannot be, it will be 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.

Dual Trip Odometers

In addition to the standard odometer, the cluster can also
display two separate trip odometers, designated by the
letter A or B in the display window, as well as your
vehicle’s Engine Oil Life, which is designated by the word
OIL in the display window. The display can be toggled
between the odometer, the trip odometers, and engine oil
life by quickly pressing and releasing the trip/reset button
located to the right of the temperature gage. The display
toggles once each time the trip/reset button is pressed for
less than 1.5 seconds. The display toggles in the
following sequence: Odometer - Trip Odometer A - Trip
Odometer B - Engine Oil Life. If the engine oil life is left on
the display, it will automatically toggle back to the
odometer after about 15 seconds. Each of the two trip
odometers can be used to keep track of different trip
distances, such as the mileage of a long trip and the
mileage driven on the current tank of fuel. The trip
odometers will continue to keep track of miles
(kilometers) driven even if they are not currently
displayed. To reset the odometer to zero, press and hold
the trip/reset button for at least 1.5 seconds, but less than
three seconds. Only the trip odometer that is showing in
the display will be reset.

3-43

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Retro-Active Reset

Each of the two trip odometers has a feature called
retro-active reset. This feature can be used to set either
or both trip odometer(s) to the number of miles
(kilometers) driven since the ignition was last turned on.
This can be used if you forget to reset your trip odometer
at the beginning of a trip. To use the retro-active reset
feature, press and hold the trip/reset button for at least
three seconds. The trip odometer will then display the
number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition
was last turned on and you began driving. If you use the
retro-active reset feature after you have started the
vehicle, but before you begin moving, the display will
show the number of miles (kilometers) you drove during
the last ignition cycle. Once you begin driving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage. For example, if you
have driven 5.0 miles (8.0 km) since you started your
vehicle, and then activate the retro-active reset feature,
the display will show 5.0 miles (8.0 km). As you drive,
the display will then increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km),
5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc. Only the trip odometer that is
displayed will be affected by the retro-active reset so
that both trip odometers can be used separately.

Safety Belt Reminder Light

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

The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds.
If the driver’s belt is
already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light
will come on.

3-44

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oldsmobile Silhouette (2004 year). Manual - part 12